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Polly
, January 26, 2024
(view all comments by Polly)
This story recounts the lives of performers in a USO troupe, why they signed up and how their lives changed in the Summer of 1943 in North Africa.
I remember my father telling of USO tours visiting when he was in the Army in Burma during WWII. It was interesting to see it from the perspective of non-celebrities giving their time and talents for the soldiers. The colorful characters included Maggie, daughter of a Salvation Army preacher, who plays the trumpet and tells jokes and socialite Catherine, a violinist, out to prove herself to her parents. To round out the group there is Howie, a WWI veteran and vaudeville entertainer, Gabriel, a magician and Julia, a singer.
The author researched historical situations to show what it was like to tour in wartime in a foreign place. The atmosphere and dangers felt real as did the relationships between the troupe members.
I enjoyed this look into the past at ordinary people and their experiences during WWII.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
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