Try free for 30 days

Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942 cover art

Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942

By: U.S. War Department
Narrated by: Alexei Grebisch
Listen for free

Editorial reviews

This audio, performed by Alexei Grebisch in a deep voice that connotes the concern of a big brother, subtly amplifies the charmingly dated affect of its source material: an instructional pamphlet from 1942 for US soldiers heading to England. It had the specific goal of fostering good relations with the US’s WWII allies and preventing the misunderstandings that might arise from cultural differences, such as use of slang. So many years later, taken out of context, it has become an endearing document of a different time; stripped of military intention its message can be more clearly seen as one of tolerance and mutual respect.

Publisher's Summary

Here is a recording of a War Department pamphlet aimed at U.S. Servicemen in Britain in 1942. The jovial tone of the document and its advice about how NOT to offend the British make for a nostalgic - and in places humorous - relic of World War II.
©1942 Public Domain (P)2009 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
Americas Military 20th Century
Show More Show Less

Critic Reviews

"Before coming to Audible, my job was to sell book rights in the UK to British publishers on behalf of a major trade publisher, so I spent a week in London each spring. One day I ducked into an independent bookstore in Piccadilly where Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942 called to me. I read it all, standing in the vestibule of the shop, and bought several copies as gifts. I loved the nostalgia value of the pamphlet: its jovial (and now inadvertently humorous) tone, and most of all, the impressive scope of the War Department's preparation for entering the European theater in World War II. Over time I've come to appreciate that the book isn't such a nostalgia piece after all—take out the references to Hitler and a lot of the advice still holds up today!" (Christina Harcar, Director, Editorial Business Development)

What listeners say about Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    0
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.