A Soldier's Sketchbook: From the Front Lines of World War II

by Joseph Farris

A Soldier's Sketchbook, an illustrated memoir from a World War II soldier, is drawn from the letters, sketches, snapshots, and mementos of Pvt. Joseph Farris, who left his home of Danbury, Connecticut, and set off to war aboard the U.S.S. General Gordon in October 1944, bound for France as part of Company M, 398th Infantry. Farris wrote more than 800 letters home, and he hewed his artistic talents with sketches and paintings along the way. He also secretly copied officers' notes and, once back home after the war, collected clippings and battlefield accounts, which form a sobering counterpoint to his reassurances to his parents that everything is "swell."
 
This book chronicles a young soldier's experiences from October 1944 through January 1946 in France and Germany. In words and pictures, it tells of Christmas in the trenches, long walks through the rain and mud, landscapes of fear and despair, lost friends and leaders, changing beliefs about human nature, God, and the Jerries (as he calls the Germans).
 
Transcriptions of many of the 800 letters Joseph Farris wrote home sit side by side with the real thing, reproduced in facsimile on the page. Snapshots and color sketches, painted in moments of reprieve during battle and carried home by this earnest young man and fledgling artist, help us see the world he saw.

Genres: Art, World War II, Nonfiction, Biography, War, Memoir, History

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2011

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mr. Farris,
I learned about your book, “A Soldier’s Sketchbook” from a public radio program. I ordered the book and when it came to the bookstore I skimmed through it, and knew I had to buy it.
Your book is the best book I have read about World War II because it relates the day to day experiences about what war is like: long periods of living under harsh conditions with short periods of extreme violence. In addition, your book answers the questions I had to know that relatives would not talk about World War II.
I believe your book will be known as a classic, such as “All Quiet On the Western Front”; “Red Badge of Courage”; “Unknown Soldier” because I feel it already a classic to me.

Sincerely,
Darrel Nicholson, Social Studies teacher

Minneapolis, MN 55406-0553
Oct. 23, 2012

P.S. One thing for sure- the U.S Army does not give Bronze Stars to everyone

NOTE: Mr. Nicholson does not "do" computers, so I offered to help him submit his letter, which I do on his behalf. (Alice)

[Harron68 · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Hardly a thorough look at the war in Europe, but a personal memoir complete with excerpts of the many, many letters he wrote home during his stint in the army. Even better, and probably the impetus for its publishing (by the Nat'l. Geographic Society no less!) are the numerous drawings and paintings he did.
This, similar to earlier books that go back to our Civil War where sketches accompanied words, paints a personal and vivid picture of the experience of war.
Of interest as a sidelight was his long wait to be brought home. One needed points accumulated by way of battle, campaign ribbons and medals won, and interestingly, if one had children back home. Farris spent some of the extra time taking an official art course, among the numerous college credit courses offered. He went on to a successful career as an artist including "New Yorker" cartoons and covers. To use a phrase peppered all through this fine adventure, it's a SWELL tale! Five stars, general!

[Allie Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book. An amazing adventure told first hand by letters of a WWII soldier to his folks back home. The author does a great job of telling a back story of truth from what he wasn't telling his family in the letters. The pictures and notes were an add in that I believe to be very necessary.

[Victoria Granacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating account that combines the author's historic letters and sketches from his service in World War II with his contemporary recounting of the war.

[J.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for anybody who is interested in the nostalgic side of the World War II era. The majority of the book is comprised of letters written home by the author during his time in the US Army from his draft, through training, into combat with the 100th Infantry Division in France and Germany, and post-war occupation.

The book doesn't cover much in the way of combat operations in the European theater, but deals more with the day to day grind of being an 18 year-old infantryman in WWII--just as the average 'Joe' on the front had no idea of the "big picture'. It is a rather unique way to share in the experiences of a war veteran, one that I don't believe I've encountered in the many books of war I have read. For this alone, A Soldier's Sketchbook is worth the time investment to read. It is World War II seen from an angle not seen often, in letters written home, accompanied by the author's own sketches and paintings made at the time, and sprinkled with excerpts from the infantry company's (Company M) daily report. It provides a stark juxtaposition of the teenaged author's letters of reassurance to his parents that things were going "swell", when the author had been engaged in fierce fighting with German infantry, and friends had been wounded or killed.

The only thing that bugged me in the whole book was something trivial--the verbatim repetition of the paragraph concerning the author's later doubts about the morality of the atomic bomb attacks on Japan. Not that I don't have some doubts about those attacks myself, and at the time, the author saw it as an early end to the war and avoidance of what would have been a costly and difficult invasion of Japan. No, the actual repetition threw me off, and made me wonder if I had somehow accidentally read ahead earlier. Editor fumble on the five-yard line.

Overall, I liked this book three stars' worth. It's a good addition to any collection of books on World War II, and not one you're likely to find many like.

[ECKane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story of a young soldier fighting in WWII as told through his authentic letters to home, genuine photos, and realia collected along his journey. His innocence and naivete scream out to the 21st century reader, but also his sincerity and goodness. Joseph puts on a brave face in his letters to home, protecting his family from the horrors of war. I could hear my Uncle Pat's voice when Joseph would write, "How about that?" And I could imagine my Uncle Tom fighting in France. The authenticity is what makes this book a good read.

[A.J. Knauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a special book. I came across a few of his sketches and was so taken by their simplicity and stark beauty. The montage of his letters home as a young man, reflections as an old man, and gorgeous drawings are something that one can read, reflect on again and again. From one army vet to another, thank you Mr. Farris, for this very personal book. This is a marvelous piece of history!

[Holyn]

potential gift...

[Scott L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good first person narrative, using letters and art, of a front line soldier in World War II. A fast and very good read.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the layout of these book. I just wish there was more drawing, photo's etc. Very fast read.

[Austin Arndt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a very good book. It has diary entries so its not just a sketchbook.

[Glees20 · Rating 5 out of 5]

a true story that tells what happened during world war 2