Overview

The unbelievable true story of the American soldiers who used inflatable tanks and fake radio broadcasts as weapons in World War II. Right around D-Day of World War II, a small, unarmed American army unit deployed to Nazi-occupied France. Instead of artillery, this unit fought with stagecraft, artistry, and deception. Their “weapons” included inflatable rubber tanks and giant speakers broadcasting fake military maneuvers. The soldiers called themselves the Ghost Army. Many of them had creative backgrounds in fashion, theater, and music, and they used their talents to trick and confuse the enemy. Often, their mission was to draw enemy fire away from other soldiers and toward themselves. One of the most stunning parts of this story is just how effective the Ghost Army was. They successfully carried out mission after mission and undeniably helped secure Allied victory. Rebecca Siegel uses original research, declassified records and photos, and a boots on the ground narrative style to tell the incredible experiences of these heroic soldiers.

Full Product Details

9781682637586

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Reviews

Utilizing crisp, detailed prose, Siegel paints a clear picture of the Ghost Army’s operations. . . . Fascinating depictions of the disguises soldiers wore and the research they did to fulfill their roles ensnare readers’ attention, while empathetically rendered post-war particulars. . . .It’s a necessary volume that showcases the incredible effort and tactical diversity it took to turn the tide of the war. —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Utilizing crisp, detailed prose, Siegel paints a clear picture of the Ghost Army’s operations. . . . Fascinating depictions of the disguises soldiers wore and the research they did to fulfill their roles ensnare readers’ attention, while empathetically rendered post-war particulars. . . .It’s a necessary volume that showcases the incredible effort and tactical diversity it took to turn the tide of the war. —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Siegel employs a conversational tone to keep the narrative moving, weaving in a large amount of factual information. . . . Delving into a unique element of WWII, this book will be well received by students, teachers, and anyone interested in military strategy. —School Library Journal [Siegel’s] narrative shows an overarching sense of pleasure in recounting the results of creative minds at work. . . .Lively and thoroughly researched. —Kirkus Reviews This distinct take on WWII is thoroughly sourced and absorbingly written. —Booklist

Author Information

Rebecca Siegel is the author of well over 200 nonfiction books and essays for audiences ranging from early readers to adults. Her book To Fly Among the Stars was named a 2020 Mighty Girl’s Book of the Year and was a National Science Teaching Association’s Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at https://www.rebeccasiegel.org/

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