Customer Reviews

Code to Victory -- Coming of Age in World War II

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4 star:		(1)
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This volume of memoirs is a model of what reminiscences should be: the book makes fascinating reading, reflecting also excellent cooperation between the author and editor. Their combined efforts led to a work that reads like fiction but projects the reality of the war well. The book is enhanced by numerous illustrations, contemporary photos and maps, is well indexed (by Lori L. Daniel), and is further enriched by relevant poetry. The fascinating volume reveals the role of radio intelligence, the work of the American code breakers (cryptanalysts) that were listening to the radio traffic of the German Luftwaffe in World War II. Code breaker Arnold Clement Franco was a member of the 3rd Radio Mobile Squadron (G). Its mission was to intercept German radio messages sent by Luftwaffe personnel on the ground and in the air, and, when necessary, to break code messages. This intelligence was transmitted to the headquaters of Ninth Air Force, the tactical arm of American air power in the European Theater of War. The work of the cryptanalysts was so effective and significant that for a time their intelligence was sent directly to SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force). The author provides new insights into the history of World War II's European Theater of War, and presents persuasive evidence that the American exposure at the Battle of the Bulge (1944) was attributable not to failure of intelligence but to SHAEF's failure to act on the intelligence they were provided from radio cryptanalysts. This slim paperback volume is both an account of little-known aspects of the role of radio intelligence in World War II and, as the subtitle indicates, a retrospective insight of the impact of the war on a young soldier's life and attitudes: Franco saw himself in a new perspective and gained a new awareness of his Jewish origins. This book is an "easy read" and "must read" for persons interested in the drama of World War II.

Any book that quotes Keats, Browning and Kipling gets my interest but a chapter that starts with "This blessed plot, this earth, this realm ..." has my total and undivided attention!

I enjoyed the book very much. Your research and documentation were, obviously, superb and it must have been a happy day for you to meet Paula Spellman who gave all of your data such spirit and feeling that the reader felt as if they were truly sharing that environment with you. It gave a great insight into your experience as a crypt- analyst and as a participant in the European Theatre in World War II. I will always enjoy reading it again.

The book blends reminiscence and humour, mixed with the darker side of war. I could not help but laugh out loud at the decription of Major Silverstein's shooting of Colonel Turkel, especially the latter's account of the Doctors' reaction. "Wounded in Belgium" will now have a whole new connotation.

One gets an exciting view of this man's unusual experiences during the days of preparation, execution and follow thru of the Allied landing effort in Normandy. One learns of the dritical role played by the people who were able to anticipate enemy action by deciphering the enemy code. At the same time, one ge3ts the feeling of how one man grows underthe challenge and pressure of this war time effort.

As disc jockey for the WWII radio show "Reveille with Beverly," I was totally absorbed with Code to Victory. It is a masterpiece of reading during the critical days of the millenium.

Code to Victory is a superb account of code breaker Arnold Franco. The material flows seamlessly from page to page and chapter to chapter filled with revealing information and anecdotes.I liked the book immensely and particularly recall how drawn in and affected I was by many individual sections such as the account of the preparation for the invasion of France, and the days immediately after it. Very skillfully and enjoyingly recounted with a defined sense of time and place.

The book was difficult to put down and revealed the intensity of the war as well as the variety of experiences which Franco experienced during this critical time period in his life. The mental images and feelings created by Franco's recollections and Spellman's wonderful prose and poetry are stunning and linger long after reading the book. A must read for those who want to learn more about life during the war, or who love reading the personal recollections of interesting people.

Author Franco, with the writing talents of Paula Spellman, leads us on what would today be an unusual Europeon tour -- except for the instrusion of the War Gods of WWII -- and his very important assignment as a member of the American intelligence sector as cryptanalyst, out to break the German codes. I only wish he could have let us in on an actual example of the breaking of those codes that might have changed things on the battlefield. I was mightily impressed, however, by the injection of the special, tender interludes. The purchase of brie in a small town from an even smaller shop. A bra too small for a stateside Mom. A special accounting of the liberation of Paris itself! In all -- a very concentrated, special read!

It amazes me how she [Paula Spellman] could put a book together with all the technical information she needed to understand to even begin to write. She's a writer, an author, yes, but this is no Jackie Collins novel. She's [Paula] great at what she does.This is World War II, with every aspect of the war explained­­not like all our war movies those in my age group saw. This is every plan, every maneuver, every injury the men suffered, in complete detail. Anne Youngdale

Some subjects never go out of style -- WWII is one of them. Franco's/Spellman's storytelling is riveting, fascinating and, at times, humorous. Its content is as meaningful to women (myself included) as it is to men. The theme of racial intolerance is one that continues to be incredibly important and timely -- witness the Yugoslavian/Serbian issue. This is one of those books you want to curl up with on the weekend and not stop until you're done.