Creating G. I. Jane [Hardcover]

Leisa Meyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1996

A compelling indictment of the social issues surrounding the Women's Army Corps in the 1940s.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Meyer (history, Coll. of William and Mary), formerly trained as a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy, fills a void in the historical debate on women in the military. Her volume draws from oral histories, archival records, and popular media coverage of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) to provide a platform for a discussion of the contemporary debates about women's roles in the military and in wartime. Founded to fill a clerical labor shortage in the army during World War II, WAC attempted to provide women a way to serve their country. Derided in the press and society at large as prostitutes for soldiers, WACs had to adhere to a stricter and more antiquated moral code than civilian counterparts. African American women viewed admission into WAC as a victory in the racial struggle. Meyer also examines historically the issue of lesbianism. While not a history of WAC, her volume offers solid historical context. Recommended for all academic and large public libraries.?Jenny Presnell, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, Ohio
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Meyer's study of the creation of the Women's Army Corps provides a backdrop against which to read today's headlines detailing sexual misconduct in the military.... Meyer offers a richly textured, theoretically informed account of that debate, focusing on the complex and often contradictory arguments articulated by both supporters and opponents of the creation of a formal presence for women in the military... Race and racial politics played an equally significant part in the creation of the WASC, and Meyer brings her considerable skills to an analysis of the lengths to which the military went to avoid undermining established racial as well as sexual systems.

(Choice )

A powerful indictment of the sexism that dominates the military. It is also a fascinating look at the ways in which women insisted upon their right to serve their country.

(Bay Area Reporter )

Compelling.. Gives us important insights into the complex sexual double standards that control our current debate.

(Lambda Book Report )

A meticulously researched, carefully organized, and intelligently presented study of social issues surrounding the Women's Army Corps in the 1940s.

(The Lesbian Review of Books )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231101449
• ISBN-13: 978-0231101448
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,344,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creating GI Jane fills huge void in women's military history, May 10, 2006

By 

Theresa B. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creating G. I. Jane (Paperback)

As a history student focusing on women's World War II military history, I can honestly say that this is the best book out there for original analysis and attention to detail. Meyer covers everything behind-the-scenes that does not get written about with women's military history. If you're looking for a good analysis on WHY the Women's Army Corps created certain rules and HOW they enforced them, this is the only book that you need.