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From: Kenneth Scott <>
Subject: [WarBrides] An Interesting Book
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 08:12:16 -0500


I have just finished reading:

Rich Relations: The American Occupation of Britain, 1942-45 by David
Reynolds, Random house, ISBN 0-679-42161-0

The book is a detailed treatment (about 500 pp) of the war years in
Britain in relation to US troops stationed there. It provides both an
historical and a sociological treatment. In addition to comments on the
impact of US troops, there are many comments also on the impact of
Canadian troops (in part by way of contrast). For example, it is
estimated that, in spite of the much greater number of American than
Canadian military in Britain, the number of warbrides to Canada was
perhaps a bit greater than the number to the States.

Topics covered which will be of particular interest to this group
include chapters on "Male and Female", "The Gals", "Happily Ever After"
(about war brides), and "Remembering with Advantages" (which includes
references to the activities of TRACE -- Transatlantic Children's
Enterprise which attempts to unit Britihs children with their American
fathers).

The book is very well footnoted and includes a wealth of information on
official policy which might be of interest to many of the warbrides as
well as their children (including many references to the active policy
of the US military to discourage marriages between American soldiers and
British women -- which is probably illegal under US law). It also covers
areas such as rationing which has recently been discussed on this list.

As a recent publication it should be available through most libraries

Kenneth Scott
Dunedin, Florida


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