The Rainbow Division in the Great War: 1917-1919

(Hardback)

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The Rainbow Division (42nd Infantry Division) was the premier National Guard division to fight on the Western Front in the Great War. Made up of units from 26 states and the District of Columbia, the Rainbow was a unique attempt to combine units from every section of the nation and to get them to France as quickly as possible. The Rainbow arrived in France in December 1917, and served in every major battle the AEF (American Expeditionary Force) participated in. After the end of the war in November 1918, the Rainbow was selected to serve in the Army of Occupation, remaining in Germany until the spring of 1919. The division counted in its leadership Douglas MacArthur, William J. Wild Bill Donovan (later known for his service as the head of the OSS in World War II and for founding the CIA), soldier-poet Joyce Kilmer, Father Francis P. Duffy, plus future secretaries of the Army and the Air Force and two who would become Army Chiefs of Staff. George S. Patton's tanks supported The Rainbow Division during the St. Mihiel operations, the first time the legendary Patton planned for the use of tanks on the battlefield.

Reviews

.,."a fine history of this nearly unique military organization. Not only does he provide an interesting and detailed history of the division's organization, training, and operations, he explores the reasons for its cohesiveness and success in battle. The writing is clear, the research extensive, and the scholarship sound. For those interested in the tactical and operational history of the AEF, this will be an important addition to their libraries."-The Journal of Military History
.,."fascinating. Motivated by his reading of a collection of essays, the author set out to write a memoir history and has done a wonderful job in the process. For the reader searching for a comfortable mixture offact and story, this book is about right. This is as much the account of the American soldier in the First World War as it is of the 42nd Division."-Parameters
...a fine history of this nearly unique military organization. Not only does he provide an interesting and detailed history of the division's organization, training, and operations, he explores the reasons for its cohesiveness and success in battle. The writing is clear, the research extensive, and the scholarship sound. For those interested in the tactical and operational history of the AEF, this will be an important addition to their libraries.-The Journal of Military History
...fascinating. Motivated by his reading of a collection of essays, the author set out to write a memoir history and has done a wonderful job in the process. For the reader searching for a comfortable mixture offact and story, this book is about right. This is as much the account of the American soldier in the First World War as it is of the 42nd Division.-Parameters
Colonel Cooke's fine history takes usfrom conception to demobilization, with clear and complete combat narrative and sketches of some famous Rainbow Men: Douglas MacAruthur, Wild Bill Donovan, the playwright Charles MacArthur, Joyce Kilmer, Father francis Duffy, George Patton (attached for St. Mihiel), and others. Every division should have a history of this quality.-Amazon.com Books
From the very first page, it is apparent that Professor Cooke is perhaps the best possible author for this excellent history of the 42nd Rainbow Division in the First World War. Based upon the author's personal and professional qualifications, the quality of this work comes as no surprise. I believe that this book will be of wide interest to readers throughout the country, particularly those who had a family member serve in the Rainbow Division. This is a highly detailed, well written and well edited book. Do yourself a favor and order a copy.-Over There! Spring 95
The (Rainbow) Division deployed to France in December 1917 and participated in every major American Expeditionary Forces battle. Cooke provides exceptionally well-written combat accounts of the Rainbow Division's Champagne defensive, the Aisne-Marne offensive (the battle at Croix Rouge farm near Chateau-Thierry), the Saint-Mihiel offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive's final phase....The book is very personal and creates a fluid, gripping tale of the participants' thoughts and actions, from the lowest-ranking trench doughboy to the highest operational military commander....Cooke's masterful book recounts the Rainbow Division's brief but significant history, admirably filling this historical gap.-Military Review
This is obviously a book written about soldiers by a soldier--Cooke thoroughly understood his subject.-Guard Detail
Throughout his book Cooke skillfully uses the documented personal experiences of these and many others to recreate the story of the 42nd. This is a highly researched book with detailed footnotes at the end of each chapter and an extensive bibliography. It will satisfy the needs of both the casual and the serious reader.-Over There!
..."a fine history of this nearly unique military organization. Not only does he provide an interesting and detailed history of the division's organization, training, and operations, he explores the reasons for its cohesiveness and success in battle. The writing is clear, the research extensive, and the scholarship sound. For those interested in the tactical and operational history of the AEF, this will be an important addition to their libraries."-The Journal of Military History
..."fascinating. Motivated by his reading of a collection of essays, the author set out to write a memoir history and has done a wonderful job in the process. For the reader searching for a comfortable mixture offact and story, this book is about right. This is as much the account of the American soldier in the First World War as it is of the 42nd Division."-Parameters
"Colonel Cooke's fine history takes usfrom conception to demobilization, with clear and complete combat narrative and sketches of some famous Rainbow Men: Douglas MacAruthur, Wild Bill Donovan, the playwright Charles MacArthur, Joyce Kilmer, Father francis Duffy, George Patton (attached for St. Mihiel), and others. Every division should have a history of this quality."-Amazon.com Books
"From the very first page, it is apparent that Professor Cooke is perhaps the best possible author for this excellent history of the 42nd Rainbow Division in the First World War. Based upon the author's personal and professional qualifications, the quality of this work comes as no surprise. I believe that this book will be of wide interest to readers throughout the country, particularly those who had a family member serve in the Rainbow Division. This is a highly detailed, well written and well edited book. Do yourself a favor and order a copy."-Over There! Spring 95
"This is obviously a book written about soldiers by a soldier--Cooke thoroughly understood his subject."-Guard Detail
"Throughout his book Cooke skillfully uses the documented personal experiences of these and many others to recreate the story of the 42nd. This is a highly researched book with detailed footnotes at the end of each chapter and an extensive bibliography. It will satisfy the needs of both the casual and the serious reader."-Over There!
"The (Rainbow) Division deployed to France in December 1917 and participated in every major American Expeditionary Forces battle. Cooke provides exceptionally well-written combat accounts of the Rainbow Division's Champagne defensive, the Aisne-Marne offensive (the battle at Croix Rouge farm near Chateau-Thierry), the Saint-Mihiel offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive's final phase....The book is very personal and creates a fluid, gripping tale of the participants' thoughts and actions, from the lowest-ranking trench doughboy to the highest operational military commander....Cooke's masterful book recounts the Rainbow Division's brief but significant history, admirably filling this historical gap."-Military Review

Author Bio

JAMES J. COOKE is Professor of History at the University of Mississippi. He spent the academic year 1992-1993 as Visiting Professor of History at the U.S. Air War College. His last book was 100 Miles From Baghdad: With the French in Desert Storm (Praeger, 1993).