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At Ease: Navy Men of World War II
A pictorial record of the Navy during World War II forgoes the common depictions of battle in favor of showing the sailors themselves, as they trained, prepared, and found time to relax in the shadow of war.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 21, 2022
"Disarmingly Innocent" is the truth from the dust-jacket. No 'photo-shoots' here. This has such a REAL feel to the pictures of comradeship. This the US Navy during WWII relaxing, roughhousing, wrestling, showing off, and every-day activities (like group-outdoor-showers on a beach in the south Pacific, or shaving, or playing cards, or reading, or writing letters).
"Most of them clearly display a tender regard and closeness among men largely alien to our culture."
"Army canteens witnessed men dancing with one another, an activity that in peacetime subjected homosexuals to arrest."
Guys resting/sunning/reading on-deck used the next guy for a pillow. You simply see the spirit of 'band of brothers' here, knowing they all depended on each other to stay alive and win the war.
Every single picture could have been printed in a magazine, but most weren't. Bare bottoms is the most revealing seen. The constant heat of the South Pacific meant shirtless at minimum constantly.
The Naval Aviaition Photographic Unit was led by Edward J. Steichen. His six photographers ranged from a relative beginner Navy ensign, to Life magazine and newspaper photographers. More photographers were added as the war progressed.
The book has a great 11" x 11" layout.
Places:
Bougainville, Pearl Harbor, Espiritu Santo, Honolulu, Falalop Island, Guam, training schools in IA, CA, VA, FL, CT, GA, Mindanao, Marianas, Saipan, Okinawa, Ceylon, Marshall Islands, Tarawa, Engebi Island, Parry Island, Eniwetok Island, Palau Island, Peleliu Island, Solomon Islands, Manila
Planes:
F4U Corsair, PBY Catalina, PV-1 Ventura, TBM Avenger
Ships:
USS Yorktown CV-10, USS Essex CV-9, USS Bunker Hill CV-17, USS Lexington CV-16, USS Hornet CV-12, USS Ticonderoga CV-14, USS Nassau CVE-16, USS Wileman DE-22, USS Nassau CVE-16, USS Saratoga CV-3, USS Santee CVD-29, USS Solace AH-6, USS Suwannee CVE-27, USS Albert W. Grant DD-649, USS Franklin CV-13, USS Castle Rock AVP-35, USS Albermarle AV-5, USS New Jersey BB-62
"Most of them clearly display a tender regard and closeness among men largely alien to our culture."
"Army canteens witnessed men dancing with one another, an activity that in peacetime subjected homosexuals to arrest."
Guys resting/sunning/reading on-deck used the next guy for a pillow. You simply see the spirit of 'band of brothers' here, knowing they all depended on each other to stay alive and win the war.
Every single picture could have been printed in a magazine, but most weren't. Bare bottoms is the most revealing seen. The constant heat of the South Pacific meant shirtless at minimum constantly.
The Naval Aviaition Photographic Unit was led by Edward J. Steichen. His six photographers ranged from a relative beginner Navy ensign, to Life magazine and newspaper photographers. More photographers were added as the war progressed.
The book has a great 11" x 11" layout.
Places:
Bougainville, Pearl Harbor, Espiritu Santo, Honolulu, Falalop Island, Guam, training schools in IA, CA, VA, FL, CT, GA, Mindanao, Marianas, Saipan, Okinawa, Ceylon, Marshall Islands, Tarawa, Engebi Island, Parry Island, Eniwetok Island, Palau Island, Peleliu Island, Solomon Islands, Manila
Planes:
F4U Corsair, PBY Catalina, PV-1 Ventura, TBM Avenger
Ships:
USS Yorktown CV-10, USS Essex CV-9, USS Bunker Hill CV-17, USS Lexington CV-16, USS Hornet CV-12, USS Ticonderoga CV-14, USS Nassau CVE-16, USS Wileman DE-22, USS Nassau CVE-16, USS Saratoga CV-3, USS Santee CVD-29, USS Solace AH-6, USS Suwannee CVE-27, USS Albert W. Grant DD-649, USS Franklin CV-13, USS Castle Rock AVP-35, USS Albermarle AV-5, USS New Jersey BB-62
May 29, 2011
At Ease: Navy Men of World War II by Evan Bachner has been on my wishlist as long as the book has been in print. I think I heard about the book on NPR. If not NPR, then a similar source.
After being near the start of my wishlist for six years, I decided it was time to track down a copy. I found one via Link+. I knew the book was a collection of photographs but somehow I hadn't appreciated how large the book would be.
The book contains a select subsection of the photographs collected by Captain Edward J. Steichen for the U.S. Naval Aviation Photographic Unit. The photographs show the men in all that down time that tends to get left out of the historical record of battles and skirmishes. Instead of naval battles we see young men bathing, napping, playing cards, stripped bare to avoid the heat and even cuddling.
The book is everything I hoped it would be. It helped make the stories I've heard seem more real than any movie reenactment or history book. The book brings things into perspective. The Pacific Ocean is large, hot and dull. The ships are both huge and cramped.
After being near the start of my wishlist for six years, I decided it was time to track down a copy. I found one via Link+. I knew the book was a collection of photographs but somehow I hadn't appreciated how large the book would be.
The book contains a select subsection of the photographs collected by Captain Edward J. Steichen for the U.S. Naval Aviation Photographic Unit. The photographs show the men in all that down time that tends to get left out of the historical record of battles and skirmishes. Instead of naval battles we see young men bathing, napping, playing cards, stripped bare to avoid the heat and even cuddling.
The book is everything I hoped it would be. It helped make the stories I've heard seem more real than any movie reenactment or history book. The book brings things into perspective. The Pacific Ocean is large, hot and dull. The ships are both huge and cramped.
February 1, 2011
Carl found this book by our building's trash cans. Whoever threw it out is a fool. The photography is amazing and it makes for very entertaining visits with various ladyfriends and their moms.
July 21, 2022
we used to be a proper country…..
got this for *free* w/ donation at a used book sale for the southwest harbor public library and it was in such good condition. (thanks, anahissa!)
i’ve looked through this cover to cover a few times and with a few different people. always something new to catch your eye.
beautiful pictures—playful moments, lots of pale butts. so many adorable cuddles puddles and just people having a nice time together with some homoeroticism sprinkled throughout.
10/10, easy
got this for *free* w/ donation at a used book sale for the southwest harbor public library and it was in such good condition. (thanks, anahissa!)
i’ve looked through this cover to cover a few times and with a few different people. always something new to catch your eye.
beautiful pictures—playful moments, lots of pale butts. so many adorable cuddles puddles and just people having a nice time together with some homoeroticism sprinkled throughout.
10/10, easy
October 7, 2018
Gorgeous coffee table book that will hold a permanent place on display in my living room. Lots of beautiful photos of often half-dressed sailors lounging on decks or in bunks, or working on machinery. I found this copy online, and love the inscription written on the flyleaf: "At ease, sailor! Are you saluting, or are you just happy to see me?"
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews