Five Came Back

A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War

By: Mark Harris

Narrated by: Andrew Garman

It was the best of times and the worst of times for Hollywood before the war. The box office was booming, and the studios’ control of talent and distribution was as airtight as could be hoped. But the industry’s relationship with Washington was decidedly uneasy - hearings and investigations into allegations of corruption and racketeering were multiplying, and hanging in the air was the insinuation that the business was too foreign, too Jewish, too "un-American" in its values and causes. Could an industry this powerful in shaping America’s mind-set really be left in the hands of this crew? Following Pearl Harbor, Hollywood had the chance to prove its critics wrong and did so with vigor, turning its talents and its business over to the war effort to an unprecedented extent.

No industry professionals played a bigger role in the war than America’s most legendary directors: Ford, Wyler, Huston, Capra, and Stevens. Between them they were on the scene of almost every major moment of America’s war, and in every branch of service - army, navy, and air force; Atlantic and Pacific; from Midway to North Africa; from Normandy to the fall of Paris and the liberation of the Nazi death camps; to the shaping of the message out of Washington, D.C.

As it did for so many others, World War II divided the lives of these men into before and after, to an extent that has not been adequately understood. In a larger sense - even less well understood - the war divided the history of Hollywood into before and after as well. Harris reckons with that transformation on a human level - through five unforgettable lives - and on the level of the industry and the country as a whole. Like these five men, Hollywood too, and indeed all of America, came back from the war having grown up more than a little.

©2014 Mark Harris (P)2014 Recorded Books

How Hollywood responded to WWII.

Would you consider the audio edition of Five Came Back to be better than the print version?

I have not seen the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Five Came Back?

I was moved by the dedication of the directors who served making films during the war.

Which character – as performed by Andrew Garman – was your favorite?

I liked them all, but John Ford and John Houston were possibly my favorites. But they are both favorite directors of mine.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was moved. I felt a lot of empathy and respect for these directors.

Any additional comments?

This book tells the story of Hollywood directors who joined the US forces by doing films for them often in the front lines of the war. They risked their lives and careers to further the war effort. I enjoyed learning more about the directors and the way things work both in Hollywood and the military.

If you love film history this is great!

The title was really off-putting but I loved this book as I have enjoyed other Mark Harris film histories. Fascinating perspective on film and propaganda and politics during my parents' youth and the beginnings of film used as a political tool by governments. If you are interested in the history of film it's not to be missed. Told using five directors as the focus of a history of films in the US during period of pre and immediately post WWII it's tremendously informative and well narrated too.

Great stuff for the movie/history buff

If you like movies you'll like this book. Great discussions of how these various directors worked in the field or in Washington during the runup to WWII and during the war itself.

Hollywood Goes to war

The book is well researched, but poorly organized, with too much detail. I had trouble getting through it. Would have no interest in a second listen. Narrator does an adequate job.

Had a lot of fun with this book!

Would you listen to Five Came Back again? Why?

Isn't the electronic world wonderful. I am 68 years old. Born in 1946, I grew up in the aftermath of WW II in a small rural community. Almost every one of the males over the age of 30 had participated in the war - yet they did not talk a lot about it or if they did discuss it the conversation was very superficial. I also did not have exposure to the prewar or even war movies produced by these five directors. Thus I enjoyed the opportunity to hear their stories and at the same time to view the documentaries produced for the war departments (You Tube) and the movies (YouTube or purchased/rented online), both before, during and after the war. I spent probably 75 hours over a several month period working my way through the book and the movies. It was a most enjoyable experience. I was particularly struck by the psychologic damage caused by war (highlighted in the unreleased Wilder film), most recently highlighted by the long-term studies of Vietnam veterans. I also enjoyed watching the color movies recently released from George Steven's personal collection (History Channel 2 over Memorial and D-day anniversary), but the impact on his health, both psychologic and physical, as he collected these images was sad.This was a good read, but to appreciate it fully you will have to do some work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Five Came Back?

There were many. I did not realize John Ford was at the Battle of Midway.

Which character – as performed by Andrew Garman – was your favorite?

Billy Wilder. What a story.

Exceptional and Entertaining

If you could sum up Five Came Back in three words, what would they be?

The story of five famous directors -- Frank Capra, George Stevens, John Huston, William Wyler, and John Ford -- and their service during World War II.

Nice account of a few directors' war experiences

Would you listen to Five Came Back again? Why?

I would listen to this again only because I know I missed some information. I usually pick it up the second time around.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Five Came Back?

The liberation of the Nazi death camps

What does Andrew Garman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Accents of the subjects who were not known to be foreign born because they took Anglo sounding names.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The title.

Absolutely spectacular

Harris is one of the finest cultural and film historians working today, and Five Came Back offers something for film buffs, mid century history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the many ways war informs and illustrates history.

Thoroughly enjoyable!

Where does Five Came Back rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favorites now. I learned so much from this book! I've always had an interest in WW II movies of all types and this shed so much light on many films I've seen and many more I want to search for.

What does Andrew Garman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed listening to Mr. Garman and thought he did an excellent job of relating the information.

extreamly informitive

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes... its not a subject many know about but is a big part of our history

What did you like best about this story?

extremely well researched

What does Andrew Garman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think so, he is a good reader

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

some of the surprises about just how our WW2 newsreel films were staged as if it was actual film

Any additional comments?

a long book but held my attention