For the Boys : The Racy Pin-Ups of World War II (Hardcover)

by Max Allan Collins (Author) "The glorified pin-up girls of artists like Gil Elvgren were pinned (and sometimes taped) where the boys serving their country could get a pleasant reminder..." (more)
Key Phrases: bomber jacket, North American, Super Fortress, Flying Fortress (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"If you think the 1940's were a repressed time, you will be amazed to see how much freedom ... existed." -- Alan Caruba, Bookviews, August 2000

"Now Collectors Press has gathered 500 or so examples of the best ephemera into a 144-page hardcover, For the Boys. ...." -- Playboy, August 2000

Product Description
This historical and visually entertaining volume shows the role pin-up girls of the 1940's played in maintaining morale during World War II. From V-Mail to bomber-plane nose art, pin-up girls inspired our boys overseas. With some of the era's greatest artists, like Elvgren and Vargas, this book features over 500 full-color illustrations, as well as a six-color foil hardcover which provides an incredible metallic impact.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Collectors Press; 1st edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888054395
• ISBN-13: 978-1888054392
• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 10.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #672,340 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great photographs and artwork, poor presentation, September 26, 2000

By	Eduardo Acosta (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

I have quite a few books on the subject matter and although I love the original artwork being presented next to the nose-art photos, I really felt that proper credit should've been given to the artists (both original and the Service Men). On some pieces you can see the signature but on a lot of them, you can't and the artists aren't cited. On the photos of the Bombers and Fighters, it would've been nice if the authors had done a little more research and included Bomb or Fighter Groups/Squadrons to give further credit to the Service men who so faithfully recreated their favorite pin-ups on their aircraft.

The layouts are also sometimes too "BUSY" and give you a SCRAPBOOK FEELING, but again, THE ARTWORK AND PHOTOGRAPHS MAKE UP FOR THE OBVIOUS SHORTCOMINGS.

I would recommend "VINTAGE AIRCRAFT NOSEART" for better pictures of the painted aircrafts, and the "GREAT AMERICAN PIN-UP" as a starting point if you're really interested in both art forms as those two books are jammed packed with both good photographs, and rich history. then perhaps getting books on your favorite individual artists. Mine are Vargas and Elvgren.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all lovers of Pin-Up art!!!, August 24, 2000

By	C. Tash "hellbomb73" (Royal Oak, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the most amazing books on the subject that I have seen. The major focus of the book is the pin-ups that our boys painted on the sides of their war planes. There are photos of GI's painting the planes, several works in progress, and then pictures of groups of men posing in front of the finished planes. The pictures are clear and detailed. There's tons of great pictures of pin ups by the Masters such as Elvgren & Vargas. Anyone who collects pin-ups should get this book, fabulous pictures, interesting text and did I mention the pictures???

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just "Pin-Ups"..., July 29, 2003

By	Daniel L. Stockton "Web Master... b24bestweb... (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I decided to add this to my "Pin- Up Book" collection when the price fell below $$$!

Although I really had no idea what to expect, imagine my surprise (and astonishment!), when I discovered that this book is not only a great "Pin-Up" resource, but also a fantastic "Nose Art" book (in it's own right!).

Not only does it cover the B-24 Liberator (in abundance), but also includes the B-17, B-25, B-26 and B-29 (bombers), and features fighter aircraft as well! Tons of color photos, never before published.

As an added bonus, I didn't realize this was a huge "Coffee Table" book! (13.35 x 10.32 in.) with 144 pages of visual delight!