YANK: The Army Weekly: Reporting the Greatest Generation

by: Barrett McGurn

Published by: Fulcrum Publishing

Reviewed by Connie Anderson

Confessions upfront: My husband has become a WWII collector--and anything about that time interests him (and I hear about it). Why? His father was in the 8th Army Corps of Engineers and left a wife and two small boys alone at home. WWII shaped the way both of his parents looked at the world until their final breath.

YANK, the Army Weekly was a magazine written and managed completely by men in the army--many who where cartoonists, artists, photographers and reporters before.

The Mail Call section was letters from soldiers who could beef about something--no matter on which of the six continents he was stationed.

With a circulation of 2,250,000, each issue cost the soldier five cents because it was thought if the soldier paid, he'd respect it more. It had 21 editions in 17 countries. Much of the magazine was produced at headquarters in New York City and then shipped for printing around the world where local staff added a few stories for that area.

YANK was read because it was believable--telling about the indignation and frustration. The staff members were also lowly soldiers who understood all to well the boredom and moments of terror of the EM (enlisted men). Their rank excluded them from the same privileges of the fighting soldier. They understood--and that was shown in the articles, photos of soldiers, cartoons and letters. They also understood the loneliness, thus the great photos of pin-ups (beautiful women).

YANK was the authentic voice: friend, confidant and entertainer. Wonderful stories, sad stories and much more, including great photographs, make up this book. You will enjoy it if you like history from the common man's viewpoint or just personal stories.

Armchair Interviews says: On the scene and on the money, YANK's hard-working and risk-taking staff spoke to soldiers who now speak to us through this book. Great gift for fathers or grandfathers or your local library or senior center.