A Hell of a War

OK, I admit I haven't read this book yet, but I just ordered it after reading (and thoroughly enjoying) "the Salad Days", Volume One of Fairbanks' auto-biography. But I just had to say something about the nonsense in the "Library Journal" review above. When a reviewer uses terms like "his (Fairbanks') fulsome accounts of time spent with the rich and occasionally famous" to describe this book, it seems obvious that the reviewer has a big problem with his subject, a problem such as hating either Hollywood, actors, the rich, the famous, or all of them! Look up fulsome, and you'll know what I mean. And that a Library Journal reviewer (presumably living in his comfy bookish little world) has the temerity to criticise Fairbanks (who joined the military 6 months before the USA even entered the war, and who had been actively encouraging the Americans to support the British) by saying "Fairbanks is shot at a few times, and once the man standing next to him is killed, but for the most part he serves in staff jobs" as if those events in themselves would not be life changing for most of us, just beggars belief. A very marginal review, to say the least. From what I now know of Fairbanks from several sources, it is apparent that he was a very gifted and special man, who lived an amazing and very worthwhile life. I am looking forward to receiving this book very much.

Entertainers have for many years portrayed individuals of historical significance. In " A Hell of a War" Mr. Fairbanks relates his activities during World War II as a naval officer. The book became more interesting when he became involved with Lord Mountbatten's Combined Operations Command raids. With remarkable sublty Mr. Fairbanks relates his participation in the development of a U.S. Navy unit named the Beach Jumpers. Based in Little Creek, VA. this unit came latter to be known as the SEALS. A fact that has been verified by former SEALS, and is not common knowledge outside of that organization.