POW : Allied prisoners in Europe, 1939-1945 /

Although the title of this welcome contribution to the growing body of compelling, well-researched literature about everyday life of prisoners of war during WW II refers to "allied prisoners in Europe," the discussion is limited mostly to English-speaking allies--US and British (UK, Commonwealth, Empire) forces--captured by Germans and Italians. Gilbert relies on Australian and British archives, transcribed personal recollections, and a rich bibliography of titles available in English. However, French, Polish, Yugoslav, Greek, and Soviet nationalities receive slight attention. After describing the processes of capture, transport to holding centers or hospitals, interrogation, and encampment, Gilbert's informative, clearly written narrative focuses on coping with boredom and deprivation, comradeship, defiance, and escape attempts countered by the captors' restrictions, punishments, and exploitation. It took a while for millions of POWs to be recognized as an integral theme of WW II history. Propaganda, personal narratives, and veterans groups present POWs as victims to be remembered but too often dismissed from so-called war fighting history. Supplement this book with recent works by Jonathan F. Vance, Lewis H. Carlson, Vasilis Voukoutiotis, Bob Moore, and Kent Fedorowich. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. G. H. Davis emeritus, Georgia State University

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