Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)What an interesting, insightful and educational read this one was. This review is on the free Kindle down load (More about that later), and I must say, well worth the price!
This work covers Volume 1, Number 1 and was published by the American Expeditionary Force on Friday, February 8, 1918.
Being quite familiar with the Stars and Stripes during the 1960s and 1970s, both European Edition and Far Eastern Edition, I personally found that this first edition of the now famous newspaper absolutely fascinating. This one leads off with a letter "to the troops," from none other than John J. Pershing (Black Jack), Commander-in-Chief, A.E.F. The letter assures us that this is a paper written completely by the men and officers of his command and was to speak the thoughts of the new American Army and the American people. He assures them that it is "your paper."
Now that being said, we pretty well know that this publication, right from the first issue, is most certainly a quasi-official paper, heavily edited and screened...always has been, always will be. It not only reflects the thoughts and observation of the common soldier, sailor and marine, but also that of the Powers to be. The reader must keep this in mind when reading any issue of the S&S.
This is a good reproduction. It has been edited and this is noted in a very nicely done index. The editing has addressed spelling and grammar for the most part but the actual content has been left untouched...thank goodness. Various advertisements have been included which gives it a very nice touch.
Please keep in mind that there are many publications and reproductions of this paper, including those published during WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. There is even some very nice CDs out there to be purchased if desired. This one though is free and gives you a good taste of what is to come.
In reading over this document I was struck how things have changed over time and yet on the other hand, how much they have not. Some of my personal observations are as follows. Perhaps others will (and probably should) have a different take:
First, I was a bit stunned over the blatant racism which seeped off of many pages. The "N" word is used over and over again in a most unflattering way. On the other hand, most of the articles were not very flattering when speaking of our allies; the French and English in particular. Now I realize that this is merely a reflection of the times and that the reader needs to take this into consideration, but I feel that this gives you a good feel just as what attitudes were like, both official and unofficial during those days.
Second, I found the sexism absolutely fascinating. It was linked almost directly with "wealth." Women, were not thought that highly of intellectually and most certainly not physically. About the only thing they had going for them was their "virtue" which was to be defended by "our boys" at all cost. Most of the American and English women addressed in this work were from the "upper class," i.e. rich, and were looked upon with great distain. All were more or less considered a dumb as a sack of nails.
Third, I noted that ALL of the Americans were virtuous, wise, superior fighters, and pretty well could do no wrong, whereas the troops, both our allies and the barbaric Germans were looked upon as unvirtuous, not very wise, inferior fighters and could do absolutely nothing right.
Forth, all the "men" absolutely adored ALL their "Officers." Although it must be noted that while they were brave, daring, charming, well dressed and virtuous, ALL second lieutenants, like women, were dumb as nails.
Fifth was the fact that there were so many contradictions in the information being fed to the troops. As an example they, the troops, were told in article after article that due to the American superiority of leadership, superiority of fighting spirit, superiority of technology, superiority of culture, etc. etc. that there was very little chance of them actually getting hurt. This was closely followed by lengthy articles on one of the new American hospitals being built that could treat 20,000 causalities at a time....hmmmm.
Sixth, I was sent into fits of snickering at the articles published for "Home Front" consumption which assured the people back home that the rumors of a high rater of venereal disease and drunkenness which was being reported by major newspapers in the United States was completely false and that the rate of each of these "sins" was the lowest of any army in history. Hey, I had several uncles who where Doughboys.
Now WWI was a horrid mess; a horrid war which could have been avoided and should have been avoided. History has pretty well shown us that. But that being said, I have to admire the spunk and attitude shown by our guys during that time and in that place. In general we Americans were quite naïve at that time as to the ways of the world and the "boys" who were sent to this place where no different than the folks that stayed at home.
This is a good read and I do recommend it for those who are interest in such matters. This one worked well on the Kindle.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Stars and Stripes the American Soldiers' Newspaper of World War I, 1918-1919
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Business
No comments:
Post a Comment