PDF⋙ Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke

Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke

Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke PDF, ePub eBook D0wnl0ad

Veterans of World War II have long sung the praises of the PX—a little piece of home in far-flung corners of the world. Though many books on that war tell of combat operations and logistics in detail, this is the first to tell the full story of the Army Exchange System.

The AES was dedicated to providing soldiers with some of the comforts they had enjoyed in civilian life—candy, beer, cigarettes, razor blades, soap—whether by operating an exchange close to where they were fighting or by sending goods forward to the lines, free of charge. The beer may have been only “3.2,” but it was cheap and, unlike British beer, was served cold, thanks to PX coolers. And a constant supply of cigarettes and chewing gum gave GIs an advantage when flirting with the local girls.

In chronicling the history of the AES, James J. Cooke harks back to the Civil War, in which sutlers sold basic items to the Yankee troops for exorbitant prices, and to the First World War, when morale-building provisions were brought in by agencies such as the Red Cross. He then traces the evolution of the PX through World War II from the point of view of those who ran the service and that of the soldiers who used it, blending administrative history with colorful anecdotes and interspersing letters from GIs.

Cooke views the PX as a manifestation of American mobility, materialism, and the cultural revolution of mass consumerism that flourished in the 1920s, serving soldiers who were themselves products of this new American way of retail and expected a high level of material support in time of war. He emphasizes the accomplishments of Major General Joseph W. Byron, chief PX officer from 1941 to 1943, and his deputy, Colonel Frank Kerr. He also tells how the PX dealt with the presence of large numbers of women in uniform and the need to meet their demands in exchange offerings.

By 1945, General Byron could boast that the Army Exchange Service operated the world’s largest department store chain, serving the grandest army the United States had ever put in the field, and today the PX is still a central factor of military life. Yet as Cooke shows, the key to the AES’s importance was ultimately the way it bolstered morale—and helped give our fighting men the will to keep fighting.

From reader reviews:

Jaleesa Greenwood:

Reading a e-book tends to be new life style in this era globalization. With examining you can get a lot of information that can give you benefit in your life. Together with book everyone in this world can certainly share their idea. Publications can also inspire a lot of people. A great deal of author can inspire their particular reader with their story as well as their experience. Not only the storyline that share in the publications. But also they write about advantage about something that you need instance. How to get the good score toefl, or how to teach your young ones, there are many kinds of book that you can get now. The authors these days always try to improve their talent in writing, they also doing some exploration before they write with their book. One of them is this Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II.

Jeanne Crank:

Is it an individual who having spare time subsequently spend it whole day through watching television programs or just resting on the bed? Do you need something totally new? This Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II can be the response, oh how comes? A book you know. You are consequently out of date, spending your extra time by reading in this brand-new era is common not a nerd activity. So what these textbooks have than the others?

Jesse Kennedy:

E-book is one of source of information. We can add our knowledge from it. Not only for students but also native or citizen need book to know the update information of year in order to year. As we know those books have many advantages. Beside we add our knowledge, may also bring us to around the world. From the book Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II we can get more advantage. Don't one to be creative people? To be creative person must want to read a book. Just choose the best book that suitable with your aim. Don't be doubt to change your life with that book Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II. You can more desirable than now.

Read Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke for online ebook

Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke Free PDF d0wnl0ad, audio books, books to read, good books to read, cheap books, good books, online books, books online, book reviews epub, read books online, books to read online, online library, greatbooks to read, PDF best books to read, top books to read Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke books to read online.

Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke Doc

Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke Mobipocket

Chewing Gum, Candy Bars, and Beer: The Army PX in World War II by James J. Cooke EPub