Synopses & Reviews
American women have had a sterling tradition of courage, sacrifice, and dedication in support roles in the armed services in times of war, and as spies, guerrilla leaders, and frontline correspondents. Most of their heroics and deeds have largely gone unreported, even though many have been killed in the line of duty, died of diseases or accidents, or suffered as prisoners of war.^L ^L Focusing on human drama, this riveting book tells vividly of women's achievements in uniform going back to World War I. It also relates in compelling style the heated controversy over sending women into combat, a dispute that contributed to the suicide of Admiral Jeremy Boorda in 1996.
The Gulf War of 1991 saw 37,000 women serve in uniform who, like their predecessors, performed admirably and demonstrated courage under fire. This war and the subsequent Tailhook scandal renewed the call by feminist groups and their supporters in Congress to have the military remove, once and for all, the restrictions barring women from direct combat. While some saw this struggle as a quest for equality and opportunity in uniform, others fought just as vigorously to keep women out of combat. The 1990s saw women assigned to ships, to aircraft, and to jobs previously denied them due to an easing of the long-standing combat restrictions. This resulted in a nationwide debate which, many allege, contributed to the suicide of Admiral Jeremy Boorda in 1996.^L ^L Allowing women to serve in the military during wartime has been a subject of controversy since World War I, when, for the first time in history, thousands answered the same patriotic call to duty as the men and volunteered. Unlike the men, however, these pioneers were targets of gossip and branded as camp followers by some. Since that time, some 3.5 million American women have served their country as spies, nurses, guerrillas, or war correspondents. Many of these volunteers were wounded or died in the line of duty, others suffered as prisoners of war—all with little or no recognition.
During World War II, the military actively recruited women to fill support roles in an effort to free more able-bodied men for combat duty. This resulted in the creation of women's branches of the armed services, which enabled women to take on even greater challenges and more diversified roles than previously allowed. These new organizations included:^L WAACs—later WACs (Army)^L WAVEs (Navy)^L SPARs (Coast Guard)^L Marine Corps Women's Reserve^L WASPs (ferrying airplanes)^L These groups attracted more than 350,000 volunteers. The tradition of volunteering continued on through conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, and each time, American women met their challenges with honor and distinction.^L^L ^IWar and American Women^R brings to life the compelling story of the ordinary and extraordinary women who served their country in times of war. Their largely unreported and unacknowledged acts of heroism are vividly recounted by an author whose style has been described by ^IThe New York Times^R as vintage Hemingway.
Review
Breuer's book brings to life the stories of ordinary and extraordinary women and recounts the largely unreported and unacknowledged acts of heroism in a manner both vivid and compelling.Choice
Synopsis
The first book to cover, comprehensively, the wide spectrum of women in the military from World War I to the present.
Synopsis
American women have had a sterling tradition of courage, sacrifice, and dedication in support roles in the armed services in times of war, and as spies, guerrilla leaders, and frontline correspondents. Most of their heroics and deeds have largely gone unreported, even though many have been killed in the line of duty, died of diseases or accidents, or suffered as prisoners of war. Focusing on human drama, this riveting book tells vividly of women's achievements in uniform going back to World War I. It also relates in compelling style the heated controversy over sending women into combat, a dispute that contributed to the suicide of Admiral Jeremy Boorda in 1996.
Synopsis
Focusing on human drama, this riveting book tells vividly of women's achievements in uniform going back to World War I. It also relates in compelling style the heated controversy over sending women into combat, a dispute that contributed to the suicide of Admiral Jeremy Boorda in 1996.
Synopsis
Allowing women to serve in the military during wartime has been a subject of controversy since World War I, when, for the first time in history, thousands of American women volunteered, answering the same patriotic call to duty as the men. Unlike the men, however, these pioneers were targets of gossip and branded as "camp followers" by some. Since that time, some 3.5 million American women have served their country as spies, nurses, guerrillas, or war correspondents. Many of these volunteers were wounded or died in the line of duty, others suffered as prisoners of war - all with little or no recognition. War and American Women brings to life the compelling stories of the ordinary and extraordinary women who served their country in times of war.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [231]-245) and index.
About the Author
WILLIAM B. BREUER is a decorated combat veteran of World War II who landed with the first assault waves in Normandy.
Table of Contents
A Nightmare in Vietnam
Female Trailblazers
"You Have a Debt to Democracy"
Secret Missions
A Conspiracy to Murder Hitler
Lady Spies and a Blonde Guerrilla
A Hair-Raising Escape
Two Spymistresses in Manila
Cracking a Man's World
An Ordeal in Southeast Asia
Lady Generals and Lady Birds
A Painful Homecoming
Clash over the Service Academies
First Crisis for the Coed Army
"Your Mission Is to Win Our Wars"
A New View in the Pentagon
"General, You Are a Male Chauvinist!"
A Plan to Register Women
An Episode in Panama
Scud Missiles, Culture Problems, and POWs
"We're Talking About the Battlefront"
A Spirited Debate
Fallout from a Tailhook Convention
"Today's Battlefield Is More Horrific"
Charges and Countercharges
Trials and Tribulations
Two Admirals Walk the Plank
The Ike Makes History
Tragedy on an Aircraft Carrier
A Sea Cruise Plays to Mixed Reviews
Navigating Troubled Waters
The Admiral Boorda Tragedy
Notes and Sources
Index
Photo Section