WWII

New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap, 1975. First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. Very good/Fair. Art Weithas (Graphics direction). 272 pages. Oversized volume, measuring 12 inches by 9-1/4 inches. Illustrated endpapers with unit patches. Illustrations. Artist's Biographies. Picture Credits. References. Index. DJ has wear, tears, soiling and chips. James Ramon Jones (November 6, 1921 - May 9, 1977) was an American novelist known for his explorations of World War II and its aftermath. He won the 1952 National Book Award for his first published novel, From Here to Eternity, which was adapted for the big screen immediately and made into a television series a generation later. Jones wrote of his WWII works that "It will say just about everything I have ever had to say, or will ever have to say, on the human condition of war and what it means to us, as against what we claim it means to us." James Jones is the author of From Here to Eternity, the classic novel of the Second World War. He has written a soldier's view of the war as it really was, directed by politicians and generals, but fought by American boys who became hardened, professional soldiers. Art Weithas, the graphics director of WWII, was formerly the head of Yank magazine, which during the second World War was a weekly magazine for the American G.I., written and produced by soldiers.

Art Weithas studied at the Art Students League in NYC and at the School of Visual Art in NYC. He has had six one man exhibitions of his drawings, paintings and collages. His career in advertising covers art direction graphic design and package for Elizabeth Arden and Cover Girl Cosmetics as well as agencies BBD&O and SSC&B. He planned and designed the original copy of "YANK the Army Weekly", and became its head art director. As a Technical Sergeant he covered the Central and Southwest Pacific area as war combat artist and photographer. He volunteered for combat coverage in the Philippine invasion, took part in the capture of Manila, saw action at Corregidor and was in the Mindanao landing. He laid out the "Roosevelt Memorial", "V.E. Day" and "Japanese Surrender" issues of "YANKS" three outstanding issues. He was presented the Legion of Merit Medal by his commanding officer Col. Franklin S. Forsberg. He collaborated with the author James Jones to produce the book "WWII" from his concept of doing a book about the art of that war. His book "Close to Glory" is about the untold stories of the YANK correspondents during WWII, taken from their letters and stories. He is past Museum Chairman and member of the Society of Illustrators Museum of American Illustration. Arthur co-chaired their "200 Years of American Illustration" and chaired the "20 Years of Award Winners" exhibition at the New-York Historical Society.

Derived from a Kirkus review: Not just another coffee-table picture book on World War II, but a collection of graphic art accompanied by James Jones' writings. As a whole, the paintings and drawings-accompanied by only a modicum of Sad Sack cartoons and period pinups-are remarkable and expressive. Watercolors and charcoal serve the war reportage best-a sketch of shell shock evokes Goya, the watercolors capture some of the flux of battle. A pencil drawing of Hiroshima flatness says more than a photo. Jones provides canny reassessments of battles. Critics will have something to say about artists and works left out. The book poses absorbing questions as to why 20th century wars in general have produced such art, and why these particular achievements are so impactful as reportage. A certain seller.