Kilroy Was Here : The Best American Humor from World War II

by Charles Osgood

Now available in paperback. "Only Charles Osgood could put together a book on the humor of World War II. Who else could have thought up such a subject? Osgood has picked up the best of the jokes and gives us here his selections, which make us laugh and cry, exult and despair, and appreciate the men who saved the world yet never forgot to laugh."
—Stephen Ambrose

Inspired by a ubiquitous piece of graffiti that U.S. servicemen left behind during World War II, Emmy Award-winning television journalist Charles Osgood has collected an assortment of classic stories and comic tales that buoyed the spirits of Americans who served on land, at sea, and in the air, such

"A lieutenant fresh from jumping instructions was seated next to a sergeant in a parachute regiment during a night time exercise. The lieutenant looked very pale and frightened, so the sergeant struck up a conversation. 'Scared, Lieutenant?' he asked. 'No, just a bit apprehensive,' the lieutenant replied. 'What's the difference?' 'Apprehensive means I'm scared with a college education.' "

Charles Osgood writes and anchors The Osgood File four times daily over the CBS Radio network and anchors CBS Television's Sunday Morning every week. He is the winner of two Emmys and three Peabody Awards; Washington Journalism Review named him Best in the Business five years running; and in 1990 he was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters' Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He lives in New Jersey.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, World War II, Military History, History, War

188 pages, Unknown Binding

First published May 23, 2001

About the author

Charles Osgood (born Charles Osgood Wood, III on January 8, 1933) is a radio and television commentator in the United States. His daily program, The Osgood File, has been broadcast on the CBS Radio Network since 1971. Osgood hosts CBS News Sunday Morning. He is also known for being the voice of the narrator of Horton Hears a Who!, an animated film released in 2008, based on the book of the same name by Dr. Seuss.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Becky Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the main reasons I read this book was because of my father. He was called to serve his country in WWII. Charles Osgood has put together various stories, magazine articles, newspaper articles told or written during the World War II era. Some of the jokes were really funny, and the stories were as well. But I have to be honest - it was hard for me to finish this book once I started it. One thing I think I will take away from it is the ability of the fighting men to find some kind of sense of humor through the very dark days of war.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a rehash of humor from WW2 soldier magazines. It's really funny a lot of the time. Several different styles of humor and most of it written from regular grunts. At least a few tgimes you'll laugh out loud.

[Liz C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny collection of WWII humor

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soldiers' art humor.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looking back, I'm not sure I should have expected a more coherent narrative, but it is mainly a collection of short jokes and anecdotes, with a few bits of context thrown in. Interesting content, though - it might get me to read a bit more about WWII.

[Otilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are hilarious. If you need a quick pick me up a day, read this, or read a story a day.

[Sarah R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book was quite amusing and showed me the military really hasn't changed all that much. Love the American ability to get humor out of even the worst of circumstances.

[Annabelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only the last story's funny--Noah's Ark goes to Hell.

[Rahool Gadkari · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible book. Did not find it humorous as it's supposed to be. The stories are dull and I had to labour through it.