Dear Bob: Bob Hope's Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.s of World War II

Product Description
Winner of the 2021 Golden Scroll Awards for Memoir of the Year and Christian Market Book of the Year awarded by the Advanced Writers and Speakers AssociationFor five decades, comedian, actor, singer, dancer, and entertainer Bob Hope (1903–2003) traveled the world performing before American and Allied troops and putting on morale-boosting USO shows. Dear Bob . . . : Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.s of World War II tells the story of Hope’s remarkable service to the fighting men and women of World War II, collecting personal letters, postcards, packages, and more sent back and forth among Hope and the troops and their loved ones back home. Soldiers, nurses, wives, and parents shared their innermost thoughts, swapped jokes, and commiserated with the “G.I.s’ best friend” about war, sacrifice, lonely days, and worrisome, silent nights. The Entertainer of the Century performed for millions of soldiers in person, in films, and over the radio. He visited them in the hospitals and became not just a pal but their link to home. This unforgettable collection of letters and images, many of which remained in Hope’s personal files throughout his life and now reside at the Library of Congress, capture a personal side of both writer and recipient in a very special and often-emotional way. This volume heralds the voices of those servicemen and women whom Hope entertained and who, it is clear, delighted and inspired him.
Review
Showing up for our troops was very important to both Bob and Bing. During the war both men devoted their weekends to performing shows at military bases and hospitals, and they created competitive golf tournaments to raise money for what eventually became the USO. Bob was so beloved that he was made an honorary G.I. -- Kathryn Crosby\nMartha Bolton has given America a precious treasure. These letters reveal the love and respect Bob Hope had for our country’s military men and women―a mutual feeling evident on these pages. You realize the true capacity of hope when you read about the impact Mr. Hope had on those facing war. These letters, written from the front lines, battleships, chow halls, and hospital wards, are a testimony to the power of selfless service―both of the military and Mr. Hope. -- Randy Curry, Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel), US Army\nWhat a story. Bob Hope was a master of timing and so funny that it was easy to overlook his compassionate heart. On these junkets he understood that many of the boys in his audience would be laughing for the last time in their lives. It was almost a codependent relationship. They both knew what was going on. They were looking into the face of death, and they were laughing. Martha Bolton has captured a great story. -- Doug Wead, New York Times bestselling author and advisor to two presidents\nAs a military officer and war veteran, I have witnessed firsthand the effect Bob Hope’s commitment to our troops had on wartime morale. Bob’s bond with the American soldier was undeniable, and his bond with the soldiers of World War II, in particular, was exceptionally strong and poignant. In writing
Dear Bob . . . Martha Bolton has captured the essence of this bond and, more importantly, preserved it for future generations. It is clearly a work of historical significance. -- John Harbor, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Retired\nBob Hope was renowned for bringing laughter and a touch of home to the servicemen and women serving in battle-torn, remote, almost unpronounceable parts of the world. Martha Bolton’s emotion-packed
Dear Bob . . . shows how much the troops enjoyed these visits. It also points out how much Mr. Hope appreciated the men and women who sacrificed so much to defend their country. His devotion to them extended far beyond his performances. -- Gene Perret, four-time Emmy-winning writer for The Carol Burnett Show and head writer for Bob Hope\nThese heartfelt, funny, and inspiring letters are a wonderful tribute to the uniquely cl