The ENGLISH GI - World War II Graphic Memoir

 


A confession, as an adult I have never read a graphic novel or book.  As a child these would be known as comics.

This graphic memoir/book is NOT a comic. 

It is a story of a journey. 

With The English GI – A World War II Graphic memoir of a Yorkshire Schoolboy’ Adventures in the United States and Europe the author Jonathan Sandler expertly tells the story of his grandfather Bernard Sandler, and his journey from Leeds to America to Europe and back again. This is an adventure story, a love story, a story of a journey of finding yourself. It is emotional, it is exciting, and it really grips you.

“Stranded in New York, Bernard must grow up quickly. He discovers the pleasures of Broadway and Jazz and is finding his independence when the United States declares war in 1941. Bernard is drafted into the US Army, joining the 26th Yankee Division. He returns to Europe to serve on the front line alongside General Patton’s Third Army".

The format works really well and will have a very wide readership appeal.  This is a book that can be read by people from children to adults. It is beautifully written and the illustrations by Brian Bicknell are fantastic. The mixed style of graphic book, text, timeline, and photographs works so well.

You feel in the writing that the author Jonathan Sandler was not only writing a story, but it is part of his family, he was living it as he wrote it, and the passion and brilliant research really comes through.  This is really well written.

This is different, do not be put of by it being called a graphic memoir, this is a brilliant book in its own right, and I look forward to reading other books in this format. This is a must read and an excellent addition to your book collection. 

We must continue to tell the stories of individuals and their journey at war. This book does this brilliantly. 

I cannot recommend this book enough.





Location: Doncaster, UK

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