A Hell of a War

In this second volume of his autobiography, following The Salad Days , the eminent actor covers his career as a U.S. naval officer from six weeks before Pearl Harbor to the end of WW II. Downplaying his military achievements (including a mission behind German lines in Italy and his earning a Silver Star), Fairbanks delights the reader with anecdotes about his struggles to maintain a low profile, carry out his duties and convince military colleagues that he was not simply a rich, spoiled son-of-a-movie-star movie star. His evocative recollections of wartime Washington and London include tales of romps with such ``fine old chums'' as Noel Coward, David Niven, Laurence Olivier and Marlene Dietrich, plus encounters with President and Mrs. Roosevelt. Readers will look forward to the next installment of these elegantly written, witty and warmly entertaining memoirs. Photos. (Mar.)