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| Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II | 
| Author: James H. Madison
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $11.95
You Save: $13.00 (52%)
New (15) Collectible (1) from $11.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 830180
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 300
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2
ISBN: 0253350476
Dewey Decimal Number: 940.54771092
EAN: 9780253350473
ASIN: 0253350476
Publication Date: August 30, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Domestic Standard shipments arrive 7-10 business days. Priority 3-6 Brand new Book! New
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| Customer Reviews:
 Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys April 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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
 Enlightening, entertaining, enriching December 24, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
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