Once Upon a Town

The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen

By: Bob Greene

Narrated by: Fritz Weaver

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

During World War II, American soldiers from every city and walk of life rolled through North Platte, Nebraska, on troop trains, en route to Europe and the Pacific. The tiny town transformed its modest railroad depot into the North Platte Canteen, a place where soldiers could enjoy coffee, music, home-cooked food, magazines, and friendly conversation during a stopover that lasted only a few minutes. It provided homesick military personnel with the encouragement they needed to help them through the difficult times ahead. Every day of the war, the Canteen, staffed and funded entirely by local volunteers from the community of 12,000, was open from 5 a.m. until the last troop train of the day pulled away after midnight. By war's end it provided welcoming words, friendship, and baskets of food to more than six million GIs.

Based on interviews with North Platte residents and the GIs who once passed through, Bob Greene unearths and reveals a classic, lost-in-the-mists-of-time American story of a grateful country honoring its brave and dedicated sons.

©2002 John Deadline Enterprises, Inc. (P)2002 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Greene's skill makes this homage not just a time capsule but a work that will strike a resonating chord in those seeking to remember the generosity and selflessness of many when faced with adversity and peril." (Publisher's Weekly)

Veterans must read.

As a veteran, I am proud of North Platte. I had family that lived near here, but were not aware of the history. I wish they did so they could have shared with us.

The BEST of America unveiled!

An enthralling, nostalgic recounting of previously little known sacrifices, made by unrecognized people in the HEARTland of America that has become known as "the greatest generation". The unearthing and extolling of people and values that made our Country great will challenge you to rethink your life and perhaps even move you to invest it by serving others, while leaving you with a sense of gratitude!

How a small town helped win the war

Where does Once Upon a Town rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

It is a wonderful story.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the concept of how this town turned a mistake into an event that touched the souls of so many of the men going off into an uncertain future

Amazing act of love!

A friend recommended this book. She was a small girl during WW II but my dad was a navigator (human GPS) in the Army Air Corps. This beautiful story puts so much into perspective about what was behind the home front scene when caring Americans were at their very best during the war. The unspoken question hanging in the air is “Could we ever rise to the challenge like this again?” I don’t know but this story could teach us how.
Fine narration as well-expressive, weighty, but not too sentimental. I HIGHLY recommend!

Amazing book!

Amazing book, during our difficult time now with this virus. I needed to listen to something that was uplifting. listen to this book gives me a lot of hope that we could come together as a nation and defeat this virus. Just like a small town did years ago to support our troops and bring hope. If they could do that in North Platte during WWII with only 1,200 people imagine what we all could do as a country.

Great story, not well written, but The story must be sold!

This is the story of people gathering together selflessly to do good. Not as well written as it could have been, but a story that must be told and must be heard. Don’t miss it.

Good book about a special place

I really enjoyed learning about the North Platte Canteen and the author did a lovely job recreating the picture. The narrator on the Audible verson sells it perfectly. What an amaizing time and scerfice our country was in supporting our troops fighting in WWII. My onl shortfall of the book is that it was probably 2-4 chapters too long. I recommend this book if you want to dive into a histroy lesson at a micro level about American pride!

Once upon a Town

I loved everything about this book. The story, the narration! It made me sad that the civility of that era is almost gone. It was so remarkable to know that for over five years there was this wonderful community of giving people, their resources and their time. I am sure there were great rewards for their generosity.

Fantastic read!

I grew up in rural Nebraska and this book describes our community very well. A lovely, true story that is a balm to read in these times if cruel words flung across the air waves. Thank you, Bob Greene! And thank you Audible for this recording. ❤️

Excellent!

It is a fantastic account of a forgotten era and a forgotten town who did a lot to help the war effort. Highly recommend it!