Personal perspectives : World War II / Timothy C. Dowling, editor.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 327-330) and index.

The experience of Allied crews in Europe -- "We will fight them ... " : the experience of British civilians during the "Blitz" -- The experience of desert warfare -- "Renegades, mavericks, and ruffians" : the experience of the "Flying Tigers" -- "Is this what they mean by conspicuous gallantry?" : the experience of the U.S. Marines in the Pacific -- Knights of the air : the experience of aviators in the Pacific theater -- The experience of commonwealth and colonial soldiers in World War II -- Racism, activism, and opportunity : African Americans in the military and on the home front -- "It hurt too much to be Japanese" : the Japanese American experience in World War II -- The Native American experience in World War II -- Neither peace nor war : the experience of American diplomats in occupied Europe -- The rescuers.

"What was it like to leave an ordinary life behind to serve as a Flying Tiger or fight in the North African desert? What was it like to be an African American in a segregated army? A Navajo "code talker" using native communications to deliver secret messages? A loyal Japanese American in an internment camp? No attempt to understand the impact of World War II (or any large-scale conflict) is complete without investigating lives like these, and Personal Perspectives: World War II does just that, taking readers deep inside the unique, life-altering experiences of 12 representative groups of soldiers and civilians. Full of historical detail, authentic voices, vivid memories, and revealing insights, Personal Perspectives: World War II puts a human face on an often faceless field of study, placing a wide range of representative individuals front and center against the turbulent backdrop of the war."--BOOK JACKET.