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Title: Instructions for American Servicemen in Australia 1942

Author: Special Service Division, Services of Supply, U.S. Army

Narrator: L. J. Ganser

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr

Language: English

Release date: 11-09-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

Unlike cricket, which is a polite game, Australian Rules Football creates a desire on the part of the crowd to tear someone apart, usually the referee.

This is only one of the entertaining and astute observations the U.S. military provided in the pocket guides distributed to the nearly one million American soldiers who landed on the shores of Australia between 1942 and 1945. Although the Land Down Under felt more familiar than many of their assignments abroad, American G.I.s still needed help navigating the distinctly different Aussie culture, and coming to their rescue was Instructions for American Servicemen in Australia, 1942.

This pamphlet is filled with pithy notes on Australian customs, language, and other cultural facts the military deemed necessary for every American soldier. From the native wildlifea land of funny animalsto the nations colonial history, to the general characteristics of Australiansan outdoors sort of people, breezy and very democraticInstructions for American Servicemen in Australia gives a concise yet amazingly informative overview of the island nation. Regarding Aussie slang, it notes that the Australian has few equals in the world at swearing.... The commonest swear words are 'bastard' (pronounced 'barstud'), 'bugger,' and bloody, and the Australians have a genius for using the latter nearly every other word."

The pamphlet also contains a humorous explanation of the countrys musical traditionsincluding an annotated text of "Waltzing Matilda"as well as amusing passages on sports, politics, and the Aussies attitudes toward Yanks and Brits.

A fascinating look at a neglected Allied front in the Southern hemisphere, Instructions for American Servicemen in Australia, 1942 follows its successful predecessors as a captivating historical document of a pivotal era in history.

Editorial Reviews:

Full of astute and entertaining observations, this pamphlet is as charming and witty today as it was when first published in 1942 to help American servicemen with Australian culture shock. Award-winning L. J. Ganser gives another outstanding performance; listeners will feel as though they're being briefed directly by a cigar-chomping yet lovable military officer. Ganser covers all topics with aplomb and worldly-wise gruffness, from the "funny animals" of the outback to the Australians' genius for using swear words in conversation. Listeners who enjoy their lessons on history and culture laced with humor will do well to pick up this audiobook.

Members Reviews:

YOU'VE GOTTA LOVE AUSSIES

This is like a time machine.... a great way-back machine to understanding what it was like to be plunked down in Australia during WWII. I'm not sure that much has changed. I think we understand each other more easily (the slang is better understood thanks to the movies) and we still feel very close to each other.

As true today as in World War II

An enjoyable short survey of Australia... as valid for a new GI as for a trailer today!! Surprisingly concise survey of a vast, complex land and people, this was done in the first days of America's participation in World War II. I found it thorough even if brief.

Instructions for American Servicemen in Australia.

For the money it was worth it.