Customer Reviews

U.S. Army Uniforms of the Cold War

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.)

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.

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.