Five Came Back

Longtime ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY writer and editor Mark Harris provides a meticulously researched look at the part that Hollywood's film industry played in the winning of WWII. It's disappointing that Andrew Garman's narration, while sincere and precise, is lacking in energy. While he keeps matters moving forward, his monotonous style, reminiscent of an anchorman, does little to support the fascinating story of the roles film directors John Ford, William Wyler, John Huston, Frank Capra, and George Stevens played in documenting events and influencing soldiers' points of view and public opinion. There's also some enlightening discussion of the directors' successful careers in the years just after peace was declared. This is a great book, not so its narration. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine