Our Yanks

by Margaret Mayhew

Book Overview

"Our Yanks" is a heartwarming World War II saga in which a squadron of U.S. airmen wins the hearts of an English village. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0552148229
• ISBN13: 9780552148221
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Corgi Books
• Length: 414 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Well worth it to pick up

This book, for me, fulfilled what I desire in my reading...a love story. I'm typically a reader of romance novels which tend to follow a pattern. But this piece of fiction was interesting, well written and captured the spirit of the time period and the depth of the love developing between many of it's characters....not just a man and a woman. It was a very good book with my only complaint being that the author stopped a little too early in some scenes and didn't dwell more on the moments we wanted to last.

Yanks in England During WWII

One can only imagine what it was like for American troops to occupy villages and towns overseas during WWII. In her book, Our Yanks, the author Margaret Mayhew does just this. And what a fine book she had written which so beautifully describes to readers what it was like when American pilots were stationed in a small English town. At first the English are divided on how much to interact with the Yanks. Some want no part of these men or what they call their late entry into the war, while others are more compassionate realizing these men are trying to help win the war and secure peace for all. And naturally the father of young women are worried their daughters will find romance with these lonely young men. In the tradition of Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy's books set in England, there are memorable characters which kept me reading this book through the night. And while there is a sense of doom for some of the men, the book ends on a poignant note which is highly satisfying. I only wish I could find out what these characters were doing a number of years after the war ended. This was the first book I read by Margaret Mayhew but certainly not the last. Midway through this book I was able to order more of this author's books and look forward to reading them in the future.

Wonderful story, wonderful characters!

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend and I am so glad I did! These people became my friends as I peeked into their lives and experiences. I rooted for, and sympathized with, so many of them. The author did a credible job of bringing the era and the characters to life. I could perfectly picture myself in the midst of this quaint village that had been "invaded" by the Yanks, turning it on its head and bringing it kicking and screaming into the 20th century. I liked that there were different shades to each character and the author made the motivations clear and believable. I cannot recommend this one highly enough, not just for those who love the era but also for anybody looking for a gripping, engaging story that will capture you for a long time after you have finished.

Like going back in time

This is a book that I have not been able to put down. Knowing a little bit about wartime England and having visited some small villages, this story rings so true. Ms Mayhew has all the village locals just right. The aloof matron of the manor, the crusty farmer who shares with no one, the parents who hide their emotions while silently grieving inside for lost or missing children. She has described them all perfectly.You will find your favorite characters as I did. I loved the relationship with the young corporal and the maiden lady. Young Tom was a resourceful young man, who was learning at a young age how to be an entrepeneur. He was clearly the darling of the airbase.Ms Mayhew leads us through the lives of some of the most endearing characters I have ever met in a book. Clearly, this is a book which shows an example of why that time was "Britain's finest hour."The reader will find everything in this book. Romance, adventure, sadness, suspense, as well as the ravages of war and the hardships of rationing.My only complaint, was that the book ended way too soon.

polym

I couldn't wait to finish this book, and I was so sorry when I did! I found myself thinking about it between chapters and sneaking in just a few pages more when time didn't really permit. It's a wonderfully done book - if one could read a Merchant/Ivory film it would be somewhat like this, but with a bit more heart. I so hope this book gets the attention it deserves!The cultural collide between British and American is handled with a fresh and engaging manner - most of the 'war' cliches are avoided - and there are so many details that flesh out the picture. Little things you wouldn't notice if they were glossed over, but that add immeasurably to the total picture. One of the most rewarding books I've read this year.