"A riveting tale told through personal accounts and sketches along the way - ultimately, a story of success against great odds. I enjoyed it enormously." - Tom Brokaw

The Ghost Army of World War II is the first book to tell the full story of how a traveling road show of artists wielding imagination, paint, and bravado saved thousands of American lives - now updated with new material.

In the summer of 1944, a handpicked group of young GIs - including such future luminaries such as Bill Blass, Ellsworth Kelly, Arthur Singer, Victor Dowd, Art Kane, and Jack Masey - landed in France to conduct a secret mission. From Normandy to the Rhine, the 1,100 men of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the Ghost Army, conjured up phony convoys, phantom divisions, and make-believe headquarters to fool the enemy about the strength and location of American units. Every move they made was top secret and their story was hushed up for decades after the war's end.

Hundreds of color and black-and-white photographs illuminate how their creations supported the war tactics that helped open the way for the final drive to Germany. The stunning art created between missions offers a glimpse of life behind the lines during World War II. Collectors of World War II books will find The Ghost Army of World War II an essential addition to their library.

About the Author
Location: Chicago, Illinois Rick Beyer is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and bestselling author. He wrote The Greatest Stories Never Told book series and produced films for PBS, the History Channel, National Geographic Channel, and the Smithsonian Institution. Elizabeth Sayles was the illustrator of more than 25 books for children including Moon Child; Five Little Kittens and I Already Know I Love You" by Billy Crystal, which was a NY Times #1 best selling picture book. Her father, Bill Sayles, was a soldier in the Ghost Army.


Book Information
ISBN 9781797225296
Author Rick Beyer
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Chronicle Books
Publisher Chronicle Books