World War II's "Ghost Army" to be subject of April 29 Book Rap

Historian Rick Beyer, an NPC member, and co-author Elizabeth Sayles will discuss and sign copies of their latest book, “The Ghost Army of World War II: How One Top-Secret Unit Deceived the Enemy with Inflatable Tanks, Sound Effects, and Other Audacious Fakery,” at a Book Rap on Wednesday, April 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.in the Club's conference rooms.

Tickets are $5 for Club members and $10 for the public. Register here. This event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit NPC Journalism Institute.

“The Ghost Army of World War II” is the first publication to tell the full story of how a traveling road show of artists wielding imagination, paint, and bravado saved thousands of American lives.

Armed with truckloads of inflatable tanks, a massive collection of sound-effects records, and more than a few tricks up their sleeves, a handpicked group of young GIs created a traveling road show of deception to fool the enemy about the strength and location of American units. The 1,100 men of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the Ghost Army, conjured up phony convoys, phantom divisions, and make-believe headquarters.

Beyer is a best-selling author and award-winning filmmaker. He wrote and directed the documentary, "The Ghost Army," which premiered on PBS in 2013.

Sayles is the award-winning, best-selling illustrator of more than 25 books for children. Her father, William Sayles, was a member of the Ghost Army, and she grew up listening to his war stories.