Review--When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II

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When Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War IIWhen Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War II by Molly Guptill Manning
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An amazing and uplifting history that will be enjoyed by anyone who's ever appreciated the power of books to change lives for the better. It will make you laugh, and maybe cry, and if you're an American, take pride in a period when the nation came together to fight hatred and bookburning with the distribution of free books to service members.

I was impressed with the range of books offered. Even books that were banned in Boston (Yes, that used to be a thing) were offered to servicemen and women, because censorship was considered a greater evil than exposing them to books about interracial love affairs in Strange Fruit or racy historical goings-on in Forever Amber. Interestingly, these were two of the most requested books overseas.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about why we call them The Greatest Generation, and how books can change a country, and a world.


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