Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942

By: U.S. War Department

Narrated by: Alexei Grebisch

Length: 40 mins

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.

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)

I wish I could find a print copy too

Would you listen to Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942 again? Why?

Absolutely. I have already listened to it twice more. I love old things and from an outsider's perspective it is quite amusing. Mind you, it is STILL quite useful.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Tommy, of course.

Which scene was your favorite?

The =overview at the end

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No I didn't, but it did make me giggle, not something the authors would have intended.

Any additional comments?

Well worth a listen

I Enjoyed This Piece of History!

I very much enjoyed this little tidbit of History. I have never visited Great Britain so I learned a little myself that I didn't know. I think it was very smart of the military to do this, and I hope that most American servicemen took it to heart when they heard or read it.

A lot of fun

This was a great read. I thought it would be dry, but it wasn't. Much of the advice is still good.

Wonderful classic feel

If you are interested in the military, WWII, and international relations from the middle of the last century, you will love this. It is classic and genuine.

Interesting

This is an interesting look back in time. Recommended for history buffs and casual interest in World War Two.

f'ing he larious

What did you love best about Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942?

Its worth 35 minutes of your time.

What other book might you compare Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942 to and why?

UCMJ, cause it gospel mofo

What does Alexei Grebisch bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Voice

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part where American servicemen are cautioned to avoid making fun of British peoples poor dental hygiene

A GREAT TIME MACHINE

This is like a time machine.... a great way-back machine to understanding what Winston Churchill call "One people separated by a common language". Great fun.

Informative and well produced

A well produced audible of an instructional brochure of how Americans should conduct themselves in Britain. I can attest to the fact that much of the cultural information still applies today.

Feeling nostalgic?

I'm not ashamed to say that this recording had me close to tears more than once! I grew up in the Britain of the 1950s & 60's, just a few years after this document was issued, and have lived in the US for the past 35 years. It brought back memories of a nation so familiar to me, and now so changed! The stories my parents told - my mother a munitions worker, my Dad a "Tommy" in the Royal Artillery - echo throughout this document. Yes, it's quaint and funny, and frankly propagandist, but it really struck a chord. Thank you, Audible, for making this available!

Excellent short audible.

For reasons, too numerous to list, this audible is worth listening to, for its historic value, of course, but also for its current, in fact timeless, reminders of cultural diplomacy, wherever one might travel.