Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II [Paperback]

James H. Madison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2008

Elizabeth Richardson was a Red Cross volunteer who worked as a Clubmobile hostess during World War II. Handing out free doughnuts, coffee, cigarettes, and gum to American soldiers in England and France, she and her colleagues provided a touch of home—American girls with whom the boys could talk, flirt, dance, and perhaps find companionship. Usually the job was not hazardous—except when V-1 and V-2 rockets rained down on London—but it required both physical endurance and the skills of a trained counselor. Liz Richardson is a witty writer and astute observer. Her letters and diaries reveal an intelligent, independent, and personable woman with a voice that rings true. With commentary by historian James H. Madison, this book is an exceptional window into a past that is all too quickly fading from memory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"At a time when war memories are fading with the passing of each veteran, Madison gives voice to Liz's recollections, capturing her zest for life and her deep understanding of war." —South Bend Tribune

(South Bend Tribune 2008)

"A remarkable book.... Historian James H. Madison has done a marvelous job of detective work in putting together Richardson's story. A major strength of this work is the careful way that Madison has placed the letters and diary of Richardson within their larger historical context." —Judy Barrett Litoff, author of We're in This War, Too: World War II Letters from American Women in Uniform

(Judy Barrett Litoff, author of We're in This War, Too: World War II Letters from American Women in Uniform 2010)

"Richardson's story, skillfully reconstructed by Madison, pulls back the veil of romantic myth that sometimes obscures World War II, and lets us see the face of wartime humanity in all of its guises—bored and fearful, but also alive and charged with hope." —Bloom Magazine

(Bloom Magazine )

"All in all, this account makes for informative and enjoyable reading for the scholar, undergraduate, or anyone interested in women's participation in the war, and in particular the American Red Cross Clubmobiles." —H-NET Reviews Humanities & Social Sciences, March, 2010

(H-NET Reviews Humanities & Social Sciences )

From the Publisher

"Excellent. Historian James H. Madison has done a marvelous job of detective work in putting together Richardson's story. A major strength of this work is the careful way that Madison has placed the letters and diary of Richardson within their larger historical context. What emerges from all of his effort is a remarkable book." --Judy Barrett Litoff, author of We're in This War, Too: Letters from American Women in Uniform --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (November 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253221072
• ISBN-13: 978-0253221070
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,327,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys, April 9, 2008

By 

Eric Shuler (Oradell, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II (Hardcover)

Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys and American Woman in World War II is the story of Elizabeth A. Richardson an American Red Cross worker in Europe during World War II. Author James H. Madison made a chance discovery of her tomb stone in the American Cemetery in Normandy, which simply said Elizabeth A. Richardson, American Red Cross, Indiana, and July 25, 1945. Madison was curious about who she was and how she contributed to the war effort.
Sixty years has passed since Elizabeth died and it is very difficult to reconstruct her life. The author did not expect much luck in finding out who her history. Luckily for Madison and the reader there, he was able to research her story with her family and friends.
" Liz" as her friends called her, story started to come to life. Liz's brother is still alive and has preserved the letters she wrote to her family, also many of her fellow American Red Cross workers were are still alive. James Madison put together a very interesting book that shows World War II from that of a Red Cross Cub club car worker.
As you read the book, you become part of Liz's life. You discover her impressions of how combat affects a soldier and how sad she feels for the soldiers. Liz's war time descriptions of England have you ducking V-1 rockets and at the same time getting ready to serve donuts and coffee for the troops.
World War II was fought with immense numbers of troops and Liz jokes that if she does not have at least 15,000 soldiers in front of her she feels lonely. The sheer number of donuts, coffee and friendly smiles she dispenses made a huge difference in the soldier's lives. I know from experience in a combat zone it is not the donuts and coffee, but seeing someone from home which perks up morale.
When deployed expect our mail to come regularly and of course sending and receiving e-mail to keep in touch. During World War II, Liz would sometimes have to wait three or more months for her letters to arrive and she would be opening her Christmas cards and gifts in April.
A funny anecdote happens when Liz has to learn to drive the huge British made Club Mobile which is the size of a truck. A soldier shows Liz how to double clutch the truck which no before had mentioned to her. I am sure driving on the left hand side of the road in England must have made for some humorous moments.
The last chapter is tough to read, but necessary. Madison tells about Liz's death and the outpouring of soldiers and fellow Red Cross workers who mourned her passing. The reader knows from the start how she has died. Madison story of her death you feel like you lost a friend. Elizabeth A. Richardson died in a two seat plane crash after the war ended in Germany.
A very interesting and well written book, I recommend it to anyone interested in World War II and seeing it in a different perspective.

MAJ (ret) Eric Shuler NJARNG

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening, entertaining, enriching, December 24, 2007

By 

M. A. Skaggs "M. A. Skaggs" (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II (Hardcover)

I must first say that I read this book with an added advantage - I have had the pleasure of being taught by Professor Madison, and personally knowing the author and understanding how he speaks, teaches, and demonstrates concepts and ideas gives the reader an extra edge when approaching this work.

This book is well-researched and documented, combining primary and secondary sources with personal interviews and insights. The years of work it took to write Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys pay off in an excellent mastery of historiography. Madison's knowledge and understanding of the Second World War add greatly to the collection of photos, letters, and diary entries that make up the bulk of this book. It is both entertaining and highly informative, a combination not often seen in World War II history.

I would recommend at least a general knowledge of the major events of World War II to anyone wanting to read Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys. While it is a valuable exposition of wartime experience for an American woman all on its own, this book becomes many times more enlightening if the reader has some outline of the war.

Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys obviously has much hard work and dedication behind it. I highly recommend this A+ read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys..., September 8, 2011

By 

Norman Rushefsky (Rochester, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II (Paperback)

Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II. This is a highly interesting read of letters and diary entries by a 20 something gal, Elizabeth,who is dropped into England and then France as an American Red Cross volunteer to provide some semblance of home to the troops. Her humor supports her despite the numerous obstacles of wartime. The author, Prof. Madison, buttresses the unfolding story with informative background as needed without being intrusive. This is less of a history and more of an over the shoulder look at an exceptional young woman trying to cope under exceptional circumstances.