JUST LIKE A TAXI celebrates the strangest military marriage of WWII,
American Field Service civilian volunteers driving ambulances for
Polish, British, Indian, Italian, American, South African, New Zealand,
Canadian, French, and Australian frontline troops. From the first
WHAM! BAM! there's always something new, and it always spells trouble,
with an amazing variety of experiences--from desperate to delirious--to
be shared with units from seven national armies, all followed by the
"Race for Trieste"--across Italy at the tip of the spearhead--chasing
five armored cars in a tin-can ambulance. That's topped off by
"Dancing on a Powder Keg" with the Jugoslav Partisan Army (who won't go
home), making friends with "Girls in Their Summer Dresses," and saying
goodbye to war, "Addio alle Armi!"
ADVANCE PRAISE:
"AFS volunteer Bill Cantrall's story is very human, often funny, always
interesting, and replete with heroic detail, chapter after chapter
absolutely riveting."
-James D. Johnson, author of Combat Chaplain, North
Texas University Press
"Bill's keen observation gives a unique portrait of the Italian
campaign...living and working within one [ever-new] culture after
another. While much may be learned from his knowledge of the
people, the times, and the historical context, his very personal story
is as absorbing, complete, and readable as a novel."
-Paul Shay, President AFS-International (1998-2003) Foreword
"It's well-written, lively, and
informative...provid[ing] unique insight into military operations."
-David Stafford, author of Endgame 1945. Little Brown
(personal communication)