Dark Laughter

.,. a very interesting and useful social history of twentieth century war songs of the United States, Great Britain, and the British Commonwealth. With a well-researched and insightful text, reproductions of the lyrics of many songs, reproductions of a few melodies, and some appropriate illustrations, Cleveland tells the sometimes funny, sometimes vulgar, and usually poignant tale of the compositions and parodies that inspired, comforted, and amused the personnel of various armed forces. It is both excellent recreational reading and skillful history supplemented by a substantial bibliography and indexes for subjects, song titles, and song first lines. Highly recommended for all academic and public libraries. -Music Reference Services Quarterly ?...a very interesting and useful social history of twentieth century war songs of the United States, Great Britain, and the British Commonwealth. With a well-researched and insightful text, reproductions of the lyrics of many songs, reproductions of a few melodies, and some appropriate illustrations, Cleveland tells the sometimes funny, sometimes vulgar, and usually poignant tale of the compositions and parodies that inspired, comforted, and amused the personnel of various armed forces. It is both excellent recreational reading and skillful history supplemented by a substantial bibliography and indexes for subjects, song titles, and song first lines. Highly recommended for all academic and public libraries.?-Music Reference Services Quarterly ?It is both excellent recreational reading and skillful history supplemented by a substantial bibliography and indexes for subjects, song titles, and song first lines. . . . A first-rate portrayal of twentieth century war songs and their social and cultural ramifications. It is highly recommended for all academic and public libraries.?-Music Reference Services Quarterly ?M.A.S.H's Hawkeye said: Joking is the only way of opening my mouth without screaming. Cleveland's excellent and well-written book is a remarkable summary of that response to military life. Cleveland surveys the vast wealth of wartime song (primarily from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam), focusing on the warrior's experience as happy, reluctant, bawdy, hungry, and mortal. Clearly the product of thorough research and personal experience, this book is also the first comprehensive survey of its kind and deserves a prominent place in the burgeoning field of popular culture studies. Copious examples of song texts are included. There are excellent photographs, endnotes, a brief appendix of several especially significant songs, a substantial bibliography, and indexes of subjects, song titles, and first lines. Recommended for all public and academic collections.?-Choice ?This book is indeed a valuable study to have on the shelf.?-Journal of Popular Culture ... a very interesting and useful social history of twentieth century war songs of the United States, Great Britain, and the British Commonwealth. With a well-researched and insightful text, reproductions of the lyrics of many songs, reproductions of a few melodies, and some appropriate illustrations, Cleveland tells the sometimes funny, sometimes vulgar, and usually poignant tale of the compositions and parodies that inspired, comforted, and amused the personnel of various armed forces. It is both excellent recreational reading and skillful history supplemented by a substantial bibliography and indexes for subjects, song titles, and song first lines. Highly recommended for all academic and public libraries. -Music Reference Services Quarterly It is both excellent recreational reading and skillful history supplemented by a substantial bibliography and indexes for subjects, song titles, and song first lines. . . . A first-rate portrayal of twentieth century war songs and their social and cultural ramifications. It is highly recommended for all academic and public libraries. -Music Reference Services Quarterly This book is indeed a valuable study to have on the shelf. -Journal of Popular Culture M.A.S.H's Hawkeye said: Joking is the only way of opening my mouth without screaming. Cleveland's excellent and well-written book is a remarkable summary of that response to military life. Cleveland surveys the vast wealth of wartime song (primarily from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam), focusing on the warrior's experience as happy, reluctant, bawdy, hungry, and mortal. Clearly the product of thorough research and personal experience, this book is also the first comprehensive survey of its kind and deserves a prominent place in the burgeoning field of popular culture studies. Copious examples of song texts are included. There are excellent photographs, endnotes, a brief appendix of several especially significant songs, a substantial bibliography, and indexes of subjects, song titles, and first lines. Recommended for all public and academic collections. -Choice