Over Here, Over There: The Andrews Sisters and the Uso Stars in World War II

by Maxene Andrews, Bill Gilbert

Maxene, Patty and LaVerne - the Andrew Sisters. Their songs and-can-do singing style immortalized the 1930s and 40s. Their upbeat, three-part harmony brightened the spirits of Americans at home and abroad during the dark years of World War Il. In Over Here, Over There, Maxene Andrews and Bill Gilbert make those years come alive again in a richly nostalgic, warmly affectionate look back at a country at war - and the talented men and women who entertained the troops who were fighting it. Touring America fifty weeks a year, singing songs like "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B," the Andrew Sisters played to standing-room-only civilian audiences in theaters and auditoriums, performed at war bond rallies in Times Square and the Hollywood Canteen, visited soldiers at military posts and hospitals, and traveled to North Africa, Sicily and Europe for the USO. Over Here, Over There is also the story of the many other stars - Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Ann Sheridan, Kathryn Grayson, Abbott and Costello, Mickey Rooney, and Glenn Miller, to name only a few - who entertained a combined audience of 161 million servicemen and women in just four years. Here's a singer's soft strains of "Abide With Me" over a fresh muddy grave in Anzio . . . Ann Miller collapsing after twenty-four hours at a hotel-turned-hospital . . . Patty Andrews announcing V-J Day and the end of the war to a stunned GI audience in Naples. Brimming with the energy, the excitement, the sense of camaraderie - and the music - of the times, Over here, Over There is a lovingly crafted memoir and tribute to the unforgettable moment in our history when a unique blend of national unity, loyalty and spirit brought Americans together as never before . . . and never since.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, World War II, Biography, Memoir, Historical

260 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title suggests, a good look at both life on the home front and overseas during World War Two, tied together by the exciting tale of America’s USO entertainers. I was surprised (and happy) to see the depth of home front portrayal. It contained both a personal view of the impact of war on day to day life and how it particularly affected the entertainment business.
At times, the difficult task of melding both the war and entertainment timelines came off a bit choppy and confusing; especially as I felt a little lost on the sequences without the Andrews Sisters. Also, there was one minor factual error that I found.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The USO's vital work in WWII is oft-forgotten, and this book, through rich, emotional, and humorous tidbits covering the span of the war, relives a time of courage when popular entertainers banded together to win the war the best way they knew how.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was education for a born in the 1970's gal...I found the information on the war the most interesting, while the entertainment part of the war was important and interesting some of it was past my time frame, of course. The main take fom this was "War is hell on the hoe front too" - some many gave so much for war and our freedom, the least we can do is read this history and be thankful!

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy WWII history and stories of how the entertainment industry boosted the morale of the troops so this book was sure to be a hit. It made me sad, though, to read about the sisters' personal lives.

[Kathryn Bundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been on the lookout for information about WWII USO, especially the "Soldiers in Greasepaint" who entertained the troops. This memoir fit the bill.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the USO during WWII. Many wonderful stories that inform you about the war through people at home.