books
the two thousand yard stare tom leas world war ii
few artists saw world war ii from as many perspectives as el paso artist and writer tom lea . commissioned by life magazine to paint the war as it was being experienced by u.s. and allied troops lea went aboard a navy destroyer in the north atlantic to cover the fight against the german u boats in late 1941 ; was on the carrier hornet days before its sinking during the desperate air and sea battles off guadalcanal in 1942 ; recorded the struggles of army air forces transport fighter and bomber crews in england north africa and china in 1943 ; and hit the bloody beaches at peleliu with the assault waves of the 7th marines in 1944 . he was preparing to join forces poised to invade the home islands when the japanese surrendered in 1945 . br in the two thousand yard stare brendan m. greeley jr. has collected virtually all of tom leas firsthand written accounts of his assignments for life including a previously unpublished diary and letters to fellow texas writer j. frank dobie along with leas powerful sketches and unforgettable paintings . greeley places them in context along with photographs and informative details on the people places and wartime events encountered by tom lea . br thoroughly documented and filled with telling illustrations this book will leave a stunning impression on those interested in the realistic depiction of war in both images and words . also a must read for students scholars and collectors of tom leas work the two thousand yard stare brilliantly captures the artistic skills and spirit of one of americas most compelling painters and writers .
hardcover texas a & m university press 2008 isbn13 9781603440080 isbn10 1603440089
abridged n isbn 13 9781603440080 number in series 1 number of pages 227 publisher texas a & m univ pr release date 62135769600000 series title military history