International Stars at War: Movie Actors in Service to Their Countries

As with his other works on the scores of Hollywood movie stars who served their country in the armed forces, James E. White Jr. and his co-author on this book Scott Baron deliver chapter-long profiles of actors (this time non-Americans) who answered the call (and in some cases, the demands) of their countries in one or more of the world's ceaseless parade of wars. Some of the stars included simply did their time in relatively easy non-combatant work. Others, such as Herbert Marshall, Anthony Quayle, and David Niven, might surprise the reader with the accounts of their heroics, sacrifice, and varied and dangerous experiences. The book concentrates largely on European (mainly British) actors, but there are plenty of exceptions from other show more countries, including such actors as Toshiro Mifune and Hardy Kruger, who served in the forces of America's one time enemies. All of Wise's books in this format are informative and interesting and are often remarkably detailed. The books are also a substantial refutation to those who look down on the patriotism of actors. show less