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Postcards from World War II: Sights and Sentiments from the Second World War
These unique full-color books capture the events and emotions of times gone by through beautiful postcard images, personal messages, and captivating text. Each book is designed to bring alive not only the sights of the last century, but also the sentiments whether those of a young actress telling her family that she s landed a job with Rudy Vallee s revue, or of an army corporal letting his friend know that he ll be discharged by Christmas 1941. Perfect as mementos, pictorial histories, and gifts, the Postcards From . . . Series transports you back in time, allowing you to explore the events, places, and people that have enriched our country and our culture. "
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 27, 2024
Review title: Postcards from the homefront
Following up one postcard book with another of a much different vibe, but enjoying the juxtaposition of the similar source materials put to quite different uses. In the history of Somerset County, Pennsylvania the focus was on the picture on the front of the postcard, here the focus is on the writing on the back of the card as the authors use the notes from soldiers to the family and friends back home to tell a short sentimental history of World War II.
Each year of the US involvement in the war is given a short chapter with a couple page synopsis, then a set of postcards postmarked that year, broken up by a short subject synopsis on such topics as the war on the home front and the rationing system, then a return to the postcards. While both sides of the postcards are printed, the front picture side of most of the cards are mostly government produced free cards with pictures of training stations or military life, so the real interest is the short sentiments scrawled in the tiny space for text on the back. The authors helpfully include a section at the back of the messages in print because the handwriting on some is obscured by postmarks or written in faded ink or hard-to-decipher handwriting.
One thing I was disappointed to discover is that almost all the 70 postcards here were send from training bases in the US, not from soldiers overseas. I understand that source material from the front lines or even behind the lines would be rarer and harder to collect, but it would have added value to the collection. In any case this is a short but pleasant peak into the sentiment of the men (none of the cards appear to have been written by women) who left home to fight for freedom but longed for the homes and families they left behind.
Following up one postcard book with another of a much different vibe, but enjoying the juxtaposition of the similar source materials put to quite different uses. In the history of Somerset County, Pennsylvania the focus was on the picture on the front of the postcard, here the focus is on the writing on the back of the card as the authors use the notes from soldiers to the family and friends back home to tell a short sentimental history of World War II.
Each year of the US involvement in the war is given a short chapter with a couple page synopsis, then a set of postcards postmarked that year, broken up by a short subject synopsis on such topics as the war on the home front and the rationing system, then a return to the postcards. While both sides of the postcards are printed, the front picture side of most of the cards are mostly government produced free cards with pictures of training stations or military life, so the real interest is the short sentiments scrawled in the tiny space for text on the back. The authors helpfully include a section at the back of the messages in print because the handwriting on some is obscured by postmarks or written in faded ink or hard-to-decipher handwriting.
One thing I was disappointed to discover is that almost all the 70 postcards here were send from training bases in the US, not from soldiers overseas. I understand that source material from the front lines or even behind the lines would be rarer and harder to collect, but it would have added value to the collection. In any case this is a short but pleasant peak into the sentiment of the men (none of the cards appear to have been written by women) who left home to fight for freedom but longed for the homes and families they left behind.
May 24, 2022
When the United States entered World War II, millions of men entered the service and went off to fight and for some of them die a horrible death. The people left behind lived in fear of getting the communication informing them of the demise of their loved ones. In such an environment, even a brief communication from one side to the other was uplifting and one of the best boosts of morale.
Most of the messages on these actual postcards are simple, but that does not mean that they did not have a profound impact on the recipients. The images on the postcards depict scenes of military equipment to the base where the soldier was stationed to cartoons lampooning military life. It was a very serious time, where the future direction of the world was at stake. Yet, people still found time to inject some simple humor and heartfelt feelings into their brief communications.
Most of the messages on these actual postcards are simple, but that does not mean that they did not have a profound impact on the recipients. The images on the postcards depict scenes of military equipment to the base where the soldier was stationed to cartoons lampooning military life. It was a very serious time, where the future direction of the world was at stake. Yet, people still found time to inject some simple humor and heartfelt feelings into their brief communications.
February 9, 2013
Nice collection of vintage postcards from the troops sent to their loved ones back home. The quality of the images is very good and all are in color and printed on glossy photo paper. Some of the handwriting is a bit difficult to read but the author has provided a reference at the back of the book with full transcriptions. Many of the letters from the soldiers are mixed with anxiety, fear of the unknown, and a sense of loss for the comforts of home and the company of family and friends. The letters not only give the reader a sense of what the soldiers were thinking and going through, but through their correspondence, you are able to get a glimpse of what life was like back home for the families.
Knowing that mail was vital to the morale of the soldiers, this one from 1943 broke my heart when I read it:
"Dear Darling Wife, Have you been getting my letters? Haven't heard from you lately. Please write soon. I am writing a nice letter this morning. I got to go on guard mount Thursday./Your Husband Marty/I love you Dear, always
And this one from 1943:
"Dear Mother and Dad, I am OK but kinda lonesome. So drop me a line now and then. Hope you are both OK. When you write use the address at the top of the card./Love from your son Jim
and this one from a father in 1945:
"Dear Pat, How are you. This is what we have to do here. If you don't write me I am going to quit writing you. This is the second card I have written you. Be a good girl and help mom./Love, Daddy
Knowing that mail was vital to the morale of the soldiers, this one from 1943 broke my heart when I read it:
"Dear Darling Wife, Have you been getting my letters? Haven't heard from you lately. Please write soon. I am writing a nice letter this morning. I got to go on guard mount Thursday./Your Husband Marty/I love you Dear, always
And this one from 1943:
"Dear Mother and Dad, I am OK but kinda lonesome. So drop me a line now and then. Hope you are both OK. When you write use the address at the top of the card./Love from your son Jim
and this one from a father in 1945:
"Dear Pat, How are you. This is what we have to do here. If you don't write me I am going to quit writing you. This is the second card I have written you. Be a good girl and help mom./Love, Daddy
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews