a well-researched and very readable book about an iconic subject. It is worth a read." --<i><b>Starshell</b></i><b> "The authors have made an engaging and convincing argument, providing a wealth of information without lagging in pace as they unravel this intriguing true-life mystery. Their book will appeal to armchair historians, armchair detectives, and anyone who would like to know the story behind one of the most beloved photographs in American history." -- <b><i>Library Journal</i></b><i> "What a wonderful detective story about a kissing sailor and a beautiful nurse--the most famous couple celebrating the end of WWII. Famous but anonymous--until now. I loved it." -- <b>Tom Brokaw, author of <i>The Time of Our Lives: A Conversation About America</i> and <i>The Greatest Generation</i></b></i><i> "...very special attempt to resolve the true romantic odyssey…Reading more like a well-contrived mystery than a romantic tale, the authors threat their way through minefields of inaccurate information and up blind alleys until finally, miraculously locating the real couple decades later. This is an exciting fun read that finally solves one of WWII's unsolved mysteries, and yes, you will be as surprised with the ending as was this reviewer, who, as a war-time teenager actually witnessed this frantic celebration in Times Square." -- <b><i>Sea Classics</i></b></i><i> "The authors deliver a convincing conclusion to their romantic detective tale about the last day of WWII and the photo that 'savored what a long-sought peace feels like.' " -- <b><i>Publishers Weekly</i></b></i><i> "The authors not only do a great job in following the clues that led to the undisputable claim that Mendonsa and Zimmer are, in fact, the kissing couple, but they also convey the euphoria that swept the country when the war ended." -- <b><i>WWII History</i></b></i></b>

On August 14, 1945, Alfred Eisenstaedt took a picture of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, minutes after they had learned of Japan’s surrender to the United States. LIFE magazine published that photograph two weeks later. From then on everyone who saw the picture knew what it felt like when World War II ended, and they wanted to know more. In the coming years, Eisenstaedt’s photo grew in fame and popularity. In 1979 Eisenstaedt thought he discovered the long lost nurse in his photograph; for the next thirty years almost everyone assumed Edith Shain was the woman that the assertive World War II sailor kissed, and in 1980 LIFE attempted to determine the sailor’s identity. However, the campaign confused matters more than they clarified them. Soon afterward LIFE stepped aside from the wave they helped put into motion, and decided the sailor would remain anonymous. While LIFE took a backseat to the growing controversy, experts weighed in to support one candidate over another. Some readers supported Carl Muscarello; many thought Ken McNeel was the kissing sailor and others believed it was Glenn McDuffie. But most who read about the competing claims didn’t know what to think. As the real kissing sailor aged, a national treasure’s story went untold. The Kissing Sailor calls attention to the overwhelming forces that plotted to prevent the photographed meeting. A war, a typhoon, and genocide tried to slaughter the photograph’s three main participants, but the photographer, the sailor and the dental assistant survived the destructive powers that killed millions. On the day World War II ended, the spared and the saved crossed paths in Times Square.
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On August 14, 1945, Alfred Eisenstaedt took a picture of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, minutes after they had learned of Japan’s surrender to the United States. LIFE magazine published that photograph two weeks later. From then on everyone who saw the picture knew what it felt like when World War II ended, and they wanted to know more.
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The story of a photograph, a place, a publication, pretenders, and proof

Product details

ISBN
9781612510781
Published
2012-06-28
Publisher
Naval Institute Press; Naval Institute Press
Height
203 mm
Width
127 mm
Age
G, 01
Language
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Number of pages
224

Biographical note

Lawrence Verria was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1961. He graduated from Rhode Island College in 1983 and has taught United States history at North Kingstown High School for twenty-seven years. He has served as an educational consultant to Frontline (PBS) and as a spokesperson for The Watson Institute for International Studies’ Choices for the 21st Century Education Program at Brown University. Verria lives in Bristol, Rhode Island with his wife, Celeste, and their three daughters, Chelsea, Britney, and Simone. George GaldorisiI is Director of the Corporate Strategy Group at SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific where he helps direct the Center’s efforts in strategic planning and corporate communications. Prior to joining SSC Pacific, he completed a 30-year career as a naval aviator, culminating in 14 years of consecutive experience as executive officer, commanding officer, commodore, and chief of staff. He has published two books on the law of the sea, a definite study on the history of combat search and rescue entitled, Leave No Man Behind, and two novels.