U.S. Army Uniforms of the Cold War [Paperback]

Shelby Stanton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

284 b/w photos 40 drawings 7 x 9 . The 4th volume of Stantons uniform series, now in paperback Previously unpublished photos of mens and womens uniforms formal, work, field, dress Equipment, special-purpose uniforms, and battle gear U.S. Army Uniforms of the Cold War describes the evolution of Army uniforms in the quarter-century between World War II and the Vietnam War. Stanton traces and explains the different uniform systems from their conception through their actual field development and issue during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Photos illustrate the progression of uniforms, supplemented by drawings of clothing and combat field items. Also shown are special-purpose clothing and equipment for use overseas and in domestic security missions, including in American civil disturbances of the 1960s. Cold- and wet-weather clothing, protective suits, and parachutist and diving gear are also highlighted. An appendix covers barracks clothing and equipment inspection displays that were part of every soldiers life. Shelby Stanton is an internationally acclaimed author-historian of the modern U.S. Army. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811729508
• ISBN-13: 978-0811729505
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #949,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good coverage in one handy volume., June 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: U.S. Army Uniforms of the Cold War (Paperback)

America's new global responsibilities, technological developments, and the usual peacetime bureaucratic impetus for self-justifying change produced an impressive variety of army uniforms in the Cold War period.
Stanton, an acknowledged expert, sorts out the changes in this fine addition to his series on Army uniforms, covering not only the field uniforms (ingeniously designed, soldiers noted, to be hot in the summer and cold in the winter), but also the whites, blues, the familiar khakis and OD's, and the new greens. Also included are special uniforms of all sorts, individual equipment, and women's' uniforms.
Stanton's works, always well written and excellently illustrated, are essential for anyone interested in the history of U.S. Army uniforms.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good fill-in of normally undocumented military period., June 3, 1998

By 

Kirk D. Skaggs ([e-mail]) (Seattle, Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: US Army Uniform: Cold War (Hardcover)

This book provides some good photographic and written information on the period between the major U.S. wars. Some of the more obscure equipment is shown like gear worn by the supporting labs & departments of the military. It also has a good section on womens uniforms and equipment. It is all black & white which is a downfall. Overall though it is a good reference for the collector or historian.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Developmental Study, October 6, 2000

By 

El Cutachero (MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: U.S. Army Uniforms of the Cold War (Paperback)

The previous reviewers have elucidated the contents of this book. I wish to comment on it from two perspectives, as a specialist in this period and as a participant. I just recently reread parts of it.

And it brought memories of the "Stand Tall" peacetime Army with its "break starch" utility uniforms and spit shined boots. And summer khaki shirts tailored so tight that you could not sit down withought opening a button so you could naturally "spread". Guard mount uniforms were often worn with the pockets sewn shut so they would not gape. And no wallets surely! Some even had their shirts tailored so severely that the button placket was sewn shut and a hidden zipper put under the arm on the side.

We sure looked good standing tall but we couldn't move very well if we had had to go to war. :) Of course, the guard mount extra sharp stuff was immediately afterward shucked for something with a looser fit for standing around and pacing.

So this covers everything you might want to know except for cold weather clothing which is covered in the Korean War volume and tropical clothing in the Vietnam volume of Shelby's ouevre.