The Yanks Are Starving
The Yanks Are Starving is a sweeping epic that encompasses the lives of eight principal characters, some fictitious, and a large supporting cast from the Boxer Rebellion, through World War I, the Great Depression and the march of the WWI vets.
The first three hundred pages are devoted to introducing each principal character, and Craney carefully intertwines each of these throughout until they finally coalesce in Washington D.C. at the Bonus Army camp. Each of the characters is written in a depth that makes them come alive. The second section on the Bonus Army is well written, vivid, and highlights every aspect of the clash between the war vets and the federal government.
It is clear from the onset that Craney understands the history. The book is a wonderful source of historical fact wrapped in a compelling novel. Reading through the first half I felt like I needed a scorecard to keep track of everyone, and wished that the book centred on one or two of the characters—possibly Anna Rab, a Mennonite forced to serve on the Front as a nurse who then works in the Bonus Army.
If you want to learn about one of America’s darkest days, one that rarely gets any attention, this is a book that will both teach and entertain.
