Barbara Tuchman is a name I encounter often when browsing through history books, but until now I never read any books of her. One of her most well-knoBarbara Tuchman is a name I encounter often when browsing through history books, but until now I never read any books of her. One of her most well-known books is "The Guns of August," which explores the events leading up to World War I and which is often cited in a lot of books I have read about that time period. So when I stumbled upon the Zimmerman Telegram, an audio book of merely 8 hours, I decided to give it a go. Of course I knew of the Zimmerman telegram, it was the attempt of Imperial Germany to seduce Mexico to invade the US in case of a war between Germany and the US. The telegram was intercepted by the British and, with a sly smile I assume, passed on to the Americans, resulting in their declaration of war against Imperial Germany. The German defeat followed suit.
Barabara Tuchman managed to improve my knowledge to this whole episode, with a clear writing style and, not unimportant, some subtle humor. She starts off with the often difficult Mexican/US relations prior to World War I, setting the context for the subsequent events. She also made clear what on earth the Germans were thinking; the war had slogged down in the mud of Flanders and by embroiling the US in a war with Mexico the supply to the Allies would be cut off. And, if the Japanese would join Mexico in her fight against the US and ally herself to Imperial Germany, Russia would be finished. Direct telegraph transmission of the telegram was impossible because the British had cut the German international cables at the outbreak of war. Luckily, the Swedish were prepared to send it for them over British cables. Just to be sure, Germany also send the telegram via the diplomatic cables of the United States, who graciously allowed limited use of its diplomatic cables with Germany to communicate with its ambassador in Washington in order to facilitate Wilson's peace offerings. But the German code was cracked, which - true to German character - the Germans were impossible to conceive. After all, a code devised by Germans could never be dissolved by lesser minds.
The British wasted no time in capitalizing this enormous German blunder. In order to prevent the fact that the German code was being read to become known, they obtained the coded text of the telegram from the Mexican commercial telegraph office. This was the cover story they could use to give the telegram to the Americans who, in order to check the validity of the telegram, only had to check their own diplomatic cables. With this, the Americans knew enough. It didn't help that Zimmerman himself acknowledged the existence of the telegram. The game was up.
Funnily enough, it was Wilson himself who tried to keep from going to war while the American public was outraged. Tuchman portraits Wilson as the naive, stubborn president that tried to persuade the belligerents to accept his peace proposals. Up until that time, he had succeeded, but now that the American public clamored for revenge his resistance to going to war was finally overwon. As Tuchman writes, the telegram was the last drop that emptied his cup of neutrality. He had no alternative anymore and was in the grip of events. The United States was kicked into the war, and the Zimmerman Telegram provided the kick....more
All The King's Men is a political drama that tells the story of Willie Stark, a populist governor of a Southern stateFrom the bad, the good must come*
All The King's Men is a political drama that tells the story of Willie Stark, a populist governor of a Southern state in the 1930s, and Jack Burden, a journalist who becomes his right-hand man. The idealistic, popular lawyer Willie Stark becomes a charismatic and powerful governor in the 1930s who, once in power, leaves little of all the idealism he promised.
“Hang them up,” Willie shouts boldly at the beginning of his career against 'those in power', but at the end of the book that slogan only rings hollow in the long corridors of the Senate, where behind closed doors his puppets hang around. And yes, haven’t we heard the similar phrase “Lock her up” in our time? The echoes of these slogans across time reveal a persistent theme of disillusionment with those in authority.
Willie Stark remains an enigma that is never explained. He is driven by ambition and even could draw on my sympathy in the beginning. Initially, his ambition is evident as a builder of schools where his ideals shine through. But when he realizes that he is being manipulated by those in power, he suddenly changes in a modern-day Machiavelli, driven by his monstrous ego, power and domination. Stark engages in as much corruption as the industrialists he once railed against.
But in the end this is a novel about Jack Burden. Jack Burden is the witness to Stark’s rise and demise. Jack, who was a reporter for a newspaper, is fascinated by Willie's story, and joins his staff as his personal researcher and adviser. Jack possesses a keen intellect and an analytical mind, navigating the intricate web of political power with a certain finesse and helps Willie to expose the scandals and crimes of his enemies.
But beneath this lies a man grappling with his own moral dilemmas and personal demons. His estranged relationship with his father, his love for Anne Stanton, the daughter of a former governor, and his friendship with Adam Stanton, Anne's brother and a respected surgeon all form the backbone of this book. He tries to find the delicate balance between these personal connections and his political dirty work, in the end trying to retreat from the moral ambiguity inherent in his political work for Willie Stark.
The story about an American war cemetery in Margaten, the Netherlands. The local people who have adopted 'their boys' and take care of the graves and The story about an American war cemetery in Margaten, the Netherlands. The local people who have adopted 'their boys' and take care of the graves and their American family, grateful for the care.
When the Netherlands was liberated in 1944-1945 - not only by the Americans but also the English and Canadians - those who gave their lives were all gathered in the Margraten cemetry. This book deals with the initial beginnings, the 'adopt-a-grave' initiative started by the local inhabitants and the role of the cemetry in the American - Netherlands relations during not only the initial years after the war, but also the more troubeld times during the Vietnam war and the Iraq war.
What struck me was that the politics never was able to influence the relationship the local inhabitants had with 'their boys'. Most of the inhabitants actually had personally known the soldiers, for ezample because they were quarterred in their homes, only to fall later in the war. A bond was created and taking care of the graves of their liberators is passed on from one generation to the next.
Between the politics, the organization the author managed to capture the enduring bond the Dutch citizens have with the American families of the deceased ones. The book is full of stories about the adoptees and the thankfull American families which added an emotional layer.
Sergeant, you will order the Jews to step forward, or I will shoot you right now
These are the words of a German major, who threathened to shoot RoddieSergeant, you will order the Jews to step forward, or I will shoot you right now
These are the words of a German major, who threathened to shoot Roddie Edmonds, the senior noncommissioned officer in charge of a group of American POW's after he refused to identify Jewish soldiers. For this he was posthumously awarded the Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.
The author, Chris Edmonds, is the son of Roddie Edmonds. When his daughter wanted to write a school paper on the deeds of her grandfather, Chris never imagined his life would take an unexpected turn. Like many WW2 veterans, his father never talked to his family about his wartime experiences. Chris had read his war time diaries, knew his father was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and spent the rest of the year as a POW in German captivity. Thanks to his daugther, he decides to learn more about his father's experiences. What he didn't know, but soon found out, was that his father saved many jewish POW's. This sets in motion a number of events trough which he embarks on an unexpected journey of discovery.
What follows is the story of Chris Edmonds, tyring to piece together the wartime experiences of his father. When during the Battle of the Bulge, German soldiers overran the American front line, they captured thousands of GIs, including his father. Chris paints a vivid picture of the capture, the grueling marches, and the inhumane conditions within German POW camps. The narrative not only focuses on his father, but also his fellow POW's, many of them Jewish. By telling the collective experiences of the captured GIs, he showcases the resilience and strength forged in their adversity, honoring not just his father's bravery but the shared heroism of those who endured the war as American POW's.
I liked this story. By focussing on the human aspects, it offered me a unique perspective into the lives of everyday individuals who played extraordinary roles but might not have found a place in the broader historical narrative.
Poverty is a complex problem with no easy solutions. This books explores the structural inequalities in the US that have caused poverty and explores tPoverty is a complex problem with no easy solutions. This books explores the structural inequalities in the US that have caused poverty and explores the radical transformation that the US has to undergo in order to end it. As an European, I could not always follow the story completely, but nonetheless the solutions that the author offers were very clear....more
To Craig L. Symonds, the US navy has been subjectable of a running dispute between two views: in peacetime, a dedicated cadre of professionals operateTo Craig L. Symonds, the US navy has been subjectable of a running dispute between two views: in peacetime, a dedicated cadre of professionals operated and maintained a small permanent force and only when roused by an emergency, the nation engaged in a frantic buildup to meet the crisis after which the navy relapsed into its pre-war character.
Champions of a large standing navy insisted that a large US navy was an important means of validating US nascent nationhood. Those not in sympathy in this view, held that spending large amounts of money to elicit foreign respect was the worst kind of fiscal intelligence. Even if the nation could afford it, staking out a prominent place in the world was not a desirable goal and unnecessary and dangerous.
Craig L. Symonds shows that much of early US navy was a running dispute between these two views and only after World War II did the navalist view finally come to dominate. In this book, he gives an account of the peaks and troughs of this oscillating wave and it discusses the different mission assigned to the US navy during peacetime and the crisis that led up to its expansion.
It is a short book, unlike many of the other excellent books from Symonds but very readable and recommended for anyone who wants to gain a broad, although short, overview of the history of the US navy....more
Imagine a scene in a local drugstore, in the insignificant town of Dayton, Tennessee. Local business man A small town's fight for intellectual freedom
Imagine a scene in a local drugstore, in the insignificant town of Dayton, Tennessee. Local business man have gathered with a plan to put Dayton back on the map. What if they can find a willing school teacher that can challenge the Butler Act from 1925, that prohibits public school teachers from denying the book of Genesis account of mankind's origin. And what if you can find such a teacher? Then you have the Scopes Trial of 1925, where the teacher (Scopes) is indicted for teaching the theory of Evolution.
According to Jarrett, this is the famous 'Trial of the Century', not only due to its cause, but also the podium for a showdown between William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow, two heavyweights where the famous exchange between Darrow and Bryan went into the history books. What was at stake? According to Darrow, just as people should be permitted to exercise religion freely, they should be allowed to learn science freely. Darrow's defence of Scopes posed a vital question: if science was to be excluded by law, where was man to gain his wealth of knowledge?
Unfortunately, the presiding judge, John T. Raulston, was biased towards the prosecution and frequently clashed with Darrow. The fact that the judge was presiding under a sign that read 'Read your bible daily' and every morning the trial was started with a prayer, were tell-tale signs. Soon Darrow realized his efforts were wasted in Dayton even though Scopes never told his students that the theory of evolution denies the story of the divine creation of man as thought in the bible, as the statute prohibited. But the wakening of the country exceeded their hopes. For a few days in the stifling heat in July 1925, all eyes were upon the trial.
After eight days of trial, it took the jury only nine minutes to deliberate. Scopes was found guilty on July 21 and ordered by judge Raulston to pay a $100 fine. Although the verdict was later overturned on a technicality.
While this book primarily focuses on the Scopes Monkey Trial, the author also expresses admiration for Clarence Darrow, whom he considers one of the greatest lawyers in history. If your intention is to delve into the trial itself, you can safely skip the initial chapters, which serve as mini biographies of the main adversaries. Despite this initial hurdle, I found the book increasingly engaging as it progressed.
Jarrett concludes that the debate and deliberation surrounding evolution persist fiercely. Even today, some American biology teachers cautiously avoid mentioning Darwin's foundational theory, despite its universal inclusion in textbooks. Therefore, Darrow's defense in the Scopes Trial remains relevant and essential. In this light, the Scopes Monkey Trial truly deserves the moniker of the trial of the century.
While I remain unsure if this trial truly deserves such a grandiose title, I must acknowledge that Jarrett's account of the trial is undeniably entertaining, although I could have done without the extensive introduction.
In the first King biography since decades, Eig has written a biography based on thousands of recently released FBI documents and teThe man behind King
In the first King biography since decades, Eig has written a biography based on thousands of recently released FBI documents and tens of thousands other new items, including personal letters, business records and White House phone recordings. This allowed Eig to provide a comprehensive understanding of Martin Luther King Jr., going beyond his famous "I have a Dream" speech and his non-violent fight against segregation and offered me a deeper insight into the individual behind the iconic image.
King is portrayed as the leader he was, managing to inspire thousands, but Eig also does an excellent job in tracing these interior struggles and self-doubts. In that King is revealed as a flawed man, self-doubting and never coming to grips with his fame, always doubting if he really deserved the attention. It allowed me to connect with him on a personal level.
King's vulnerability, his struggles with self-doubt, and his perpetual questioning of whether he deserved the attention bestowed upon him made him relatable and human. It was through these moments of doubt and introspection that I found myself empathizing with his journey and appreciating the immense courage it took for him to continue his mission. The book of course ends with his assassination. When the moment had come, I felt a profound sense of loss, as if I had personally lost a dear friend. This is a testament to the power of Eig's storytelling.
Perhaps it may sound as if Eig has written nothing other then short of a hagiography. He hasn't. In fact, as the author states in the opening chapter, King had his flaws: his extramarital affairs, his ambiguity on gender equality, his views on LGBTQ+ rights and his tensions with more radical activists. Eig presents a balanced and honest portrayal of King, acknowledging the complexities of his character.
Eig's willingness to address these challenging aspects of King's life is a testament to the integrity of his research and his commitment to presenting a well-rounded depiction. By examining the flaws alongside the achievements, "King: A Life" offers a more nuanced and honest portrayal of a complex figure, enabling readers to engage with the full spectrum of King's humanity.
For me, it showed me that King was a man who despite his flaws, managed to unite black and white Americans for a right cause, one that still reverberates to this day. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a more profound understanding of King's life and his enduring impact on the world....more
From the Murrah building to the United States Capitol
On the 19th of April 1999 Timothy McVeigh bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in OklahomFrom the Murrah building to the United States Capitol
On the 19th of April 1999 Timothy McVeigh bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. 168 people died. On January 6, 2021, following the defeat of U.S. President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, a mob of his supporters attacked the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. 5 people died. In this book, Jeffrey Toobin, lawyer and longtime legal analyst for CNN, states that although these events took place more than 20 years apart, the political reaction is different. The thoughts and ideals that motivated McVeigh 20 years ago, are now widely embraced by a former president, and possible again by a future president.
Toobin's writing is characterized by its factual approach, providing a comprehensive account of the subject matter. However, it does not focus on the full breadth of eyewitness testimonies concerning the bombing and the lasting effects on survivors and their families. Despite the limited instances, the narratives that do emerge are deeply poignant and unforgettable. One such instance is the harrowing story of a courageous doctor who made the difficult decision to amputate a woman's leg on the spot, ultimately saving her life. During the trial, several testimonies left a profound impact on those present. Among them was the heartrending account of a 12-year-old boy, whose father was an FBI serviceman. Following the funeral, the young boy consoled his grieving mother, declaring with unwavering strength, "Mum, I'm going to step up and take care of you now." Equally devastating was the tale of a woman injured in the blast, who was faced with the heart-wrenching task of burying her 5-month-old baby in a closed casket due to the disfiguring effects of a severe head wound. The overwhelming emotions invoked by these stories were palpable, bringing both the jury and myself to tears.
Perhaps for some readers, Toobin's writing, though factual, could benefit from delving further into the profound human experiences and emotions surrounding this tragic event, allowing readers to fully grasp the lasting impact on those affected by the bombing. But Toobin didn't intend to write such a story. Instead he wanted to remain factual, especially with the added storyline. More of that later.
“No plan B”
McVeigh was a competent soldier who fought in the first Iraq war. The army was his life and gave meaning to an otherwise meaningless life. His time in the military fostered a sense of camaraderie with like-minded individuals and exposed him for the first time to right wing extremist ideas. After he failed a try-out for the Green Berets his army life was over. As Toobin writes, “he had no plan B.” There was a terrible kind of momentum to the failure and frustration and outrage built up within him. What made McVeigh different from so many others that faced disappointments in their lives, was that he became determined to strike back. McVeigh’s failure began a spiral that ended four years later at the Murrah building.
The Turner Diaries, Waco and the shortwave radio
Disillusioned, he went home and started drifting towards a more and more radicalized right-wing view. His biggest ideological influence was a novel, The Turner Diaries, which depicts a fictional uprising against perceived government tyranny led by a white supremacist group who want to exterminate non-white races. The revolution served as a blueprint for McVeigh’s own radicalization and his belief in the necessity of violent action to bring about social change. The standoff between the federal government and the Branch Davidians at Waco, Texas was also a big influence. McVeigh attended the siege during the stand-off and can be seen selling right-wing bumper stickers from the hood of his car during a television interview. He believed that the Waco incident demonstrated the government’s willingness to use violence against its own citizens. Such actions called for a response.
For some of the younger generations it might be hard to imagine, but McVeigh had no access to internet or social media. Instead, he listened to shortwave radio which quickly became a platform for various fringe groups to share their views on politics, religion and various conspiracy theories. Especially Rush Limbaugh was the voice of an ascending right-wing authoritarianism, the movement that McVeigh embraced. In particular, McVeigh took Limbaugh both seriously and literally. McVeigh spoke so warmly and openly about the need to fight back against the federal government because he knew that many other people agreed with him. His goal was to push the Republican revolution one step further. The bombing would be the fuse that led to a nationwide rebellion.
Preparing the bomb
Thus, the preparations for the Oklahoma City bombing began. Timothy McVeigh was determined to take action, and Jeffrey Toobin's account meticulously details the steps McVeigh and his accomplices took to construct the bomb. What struck me the most was the unsettling ease and casualness with which they went about their preparations, as if it was the most ordinary thing in the world. Buying 40 sacks of fertilizer didn't raise any suspicion in rural Kansas, and acquiring fuel for the bomb wasn't a problem either. They obtained the detonators by simply breaking into a deserted gravel mine, as if it were an inconsequential act. The moment when McVeigh casually demonstrated to an accomplice how to maximize the blast by adjusting the barrels sent shivers down my spine.
The bombing and arrest
The bombing took place on 9.02 AM in the 19th of April 1999. This was no coincidence: it was the second anniversary of the fiery end of the Waco siege. The human toll was devastating: 168 souls lost, including 19 children, with several hundred more injured. McVeigh drove northwards, only to be stopped by a trooper who noticed a beat-up Mercury missing a registration tag. During the subsequent investigation the suspect – Timothy McVeigh – admitted to having a weapon and said it was loaded. The trooper had drawn his own weapon and replied, “So is mine.” After just a few hours, McVeigh was already arrested.
The trial
Tobin extensively draws on the 635 boxes of documents that McVeigh’s lead lawyer donated to the university of Texas. Apart from that he had interviews with lots of participants, including then president Bill Clinton.
This explains why a significant part of the book is reserved for the trial. Toobin sheds light on the way the defense team worked on the case and the rift that soon emerged between defense attorney Stephen Jones and McVeigh. Jones employed various defense strategies to mitigate McVeigh’s culpability and secure a more favorable outcome for his client. He challenged the evidence by questioning the credibility and reliability of both evidence and witnesses but most importantly raised the possibility of a ‘second John Doe’, firmly believing that other individuals were involved in the bombing, suggesting a broader conspiracy. This caused a rift between Jones and McVeigh who wanted the sole responsibility and subsequent fame.
Toobin, who himself as an analyst covered the McVeigh trial, acknowledged he made a mistake: thanks to journalists covering the case, the impression lingered that McVeigh was an aberration: a lone and lonely figure who represented only himself. This notion, as history would show, was mistaken.
Right-wing extremism
This brings me to the other main theme for this book. Toobin sees the Oklahoma bombing not as a random act of terror by a demented individual, but a targeted political act of right against left. The political response to right-wing terror followed a pattern as well. Conservatives have long minimized the threat of right-wing violence and as in Oklahoma City, sought to blame terrorism on foreigners or left-wing groups. This was especially true after the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001, because those attacks were genuinely the work of radical Muslim extremists. The right created almost a presumption that all terrorism originates with Muslims. This has included an enduring if futile effort to tie the Oklahoma City bombing to Muslim operatives. McVeigh understood the potential for his right-wing compatriots for joining him in action. He believed there was an army out there ready to rise. McVeigh failed to find his army because he had no efficient way to locate and mobilize potential allies. In other words, McVeigh didn’t have the internet and in particular social media. As it turned out, there was an army of McVeigh’s heirs out there, but it took the invention of cyberspace for the soldiers to find one another.
Donald Trump broke the pattern of right-wing terror rising under Democratic administrations and falling during Republic ones for a simple reason: he encouraged it. Trump won election as president, served in office and saw to remain there after he lost in 2020 by embracing political violence. From his earliest campaigning to his final moments as president, Trump employed the language of not so veiled physical threat. The resurrection of January 6th represented the apotheosis of Trump’s presidency when the implicit menage in Trump’s language, amplified by social media, was translated into unprecedented violence.
After the storming of the Capitol, the language of violence became standard within the modern Republican party. The kind of language that inspired McVeigh to destroy the Murrah building, just as it incited the January 6th rioters. This kind of language led to violence in the past, and will do so in the future.
Summary
Toobin has basically written two books in one. His first book is a factual account of McVeighs thoughts, preparations for the bombing and the trial that followed. The second book is a warning for the United States. After Oklahoma City, no politician defended the attack. But after January 6th, Republican politicians did just that. The Republican establishment has embraced many of the same convictions that caused McVeigh to attack holds dire warnings for the future.
From the Murrah building to the United States Capitol, Jeffrey Toobin's book examines the shared motivations behind acts of terror separated by two decades, offering a stark warning about the political reaction to right-wing violence.
A captivating exploration of the space race and its cultural impact
In 2019, I went to the cinema to see an early screening of Apollo 11, a documentaryA captivating exploration of the space race and its cultural impact
In 2019, I went to the cinema to see an early screening of Apollo 11, a documentary composed of unseen 70mm footage of the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon. As I stepped into the dimly lit theater, I was enthralled by the archival footage, the stunning visuals and the glimpses into the preparations. As the credits rolled and the lights gradually brightened I slowly came back to reality. Turning my head, I glanced around, only to see empty seats stretching out in every direction. As I rose from my seat and made my way toward the exit, I spotted the theater cleaner, who, surprised to see someone walking out at this early hour, paused his sweeping. "I didn't expect anyone else to be here," he said, gesturing towards the empty theater. "Yeah, I guess I had the whole show to myself. It was incredible." I replied.
This is the memory I frequently had to think about when reading this book. This is a book about the historical, political, and cultural aspects of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union leading up to the Apollo 11 mission. It shows how authors such as Arthur C. Clarke shaped the collective imagination and inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and dreamers to envision the possibilities and potential of space exploration. How the in Cold War Competition, the moon became a symbolic battleground in the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. How the moon landings united people in a collective moment of awe and wonder, offering a temporary respite from the impact of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement on American society.
If you are expecting this book to be about technical details, this is not the book for you. This book is not just a retelling of the technicalities of the moon landing; it is an exploration of our innate desire to push boundaries, to strive for greatness, and to venture into the unknown.
As the sun began to peek over the horizon, the airfield on Saipan stirred with activity. It was the dawn of another day in the heart of World War II, As the sun began to peek over the horizon, the airfield on Saipan stirred with activity. It was the dawn of another day in the heart of World War II, and a squadron of B-29 Superfortress bombers stood ready on the runway, their sleek silhouettes contrasting against the backdrop of palm trees and distant coral reefs. As the engines roared to life, the B-29s taxied down the runway, gathering speed as they prepared to take flight. Their cargo: a combined total 277.5 tons of bombs. Their destination: Tokyo, Japan.
It was their first mission. Expectations were high. The B-29 Superfortress was an engineering marvel, consisting of 55.000 parts and 600.000 rivets with pressurized cabins that allowed the crew to fly in their t-shirts. Rushed into production, general Hap Arnold had staked his career on this plane. The 8th air force had begun the war in the skies above Europe with great expectations but had devolved into a slug. In the end, the infantry still had to storm the beaches. Arnold wanted to promote the cause of military aviation by bombing Japan to their knees, hoping to establish once and for all an independent United States Air Force. General Haywood S. Hansell Jr. served as the commander of the XXI Bomber Command in the Pacific and as a proponent high-altitude precision daylight bombing missions, was determined to target key industrial and military facilities with accuracy.
But the high expectations proved not to be. Although the fear of Japanese fighters and Flak proved non-existent, the results of Hansell's precision bombing had difficulty of accurately hitting targets from high altitudes. None of his strikes had succeeded in destroying a single plant. Japan's war machine still hummed. Hap Arnold had enough: Hansell out, Curtis LeMay in. LeMay quickly decided to a change in tactics. Instead of precision bombing, he would switch to low-altitude nighttime incendiary bombing raids. The raids targeted Tokyo's urban area created, combined with the tactic of flying at low altitudes to evade Japanese air defenses, created a firestorm of unprecedented scale and intensity.
In his narrative history "Black Snow," James M. Scott skillfully captures the essence of these events, delving into the personalities and motivations of figures like Arnold, Hansell, and LeMay. Through his vivid portrayal, Scott confronts readers with the harrowing experiences of those affected by the bombing raids, leaving a profound impact that underscores the human cost and tragedy of war. Few writers possess Scott's ability to convey the brutal realities of conflict with such depth and clarity.
[image] Tokyo, after the firebombing (Source)...more
De jaren '70. Disco, bakkebaarden en zitkuilen zijn de eerste associaties die het bij mij oproept. Maar keEen huiselijk drama in een jaren '70 setting
De jaren '70. Disco, bakkebaarden en zitkuilen zijn de eerste associaties die het bij mij oproept. Maar kennelijk ook een tijd van sex, folk muziek en drugs, met op de achtergrond de laatste fase van de Vietnam oorlog. Tenminste in New Prospect, een voorstad van Chicago waar deze familieroman van Jonathan Franzen zich afspeelt. De verschillende leden van de familie Hildebrandt staan allen op een kruispunt: vader Russ heeft, misschien in een laatste poging om zijn midlife crisis af te wenden, zijn pijlen gericht op een flamboyante weduwe, moeder Marion gooit haar leven om, zoon Clem besluit het leger in te gaan, dochter Becky raakt in een identiteitscrisis en zoon Perry raakt aan de drugs. Dit allen in een jaren '70 setting, waarbij een lokale jeugdgroep, geleid door de progressieve Rick Ambrose en rivaal van vader Russ, een centrale rol speelt.
Het is een uitgebreid boek (de Nederlandstalige versie die ik heb gelezen kent 576 pagina's) en als gevolg daarvan krijgen de karakters alle ruimte om zichzelf te verdiepen. Dit alles met een subtiele humoristische onderlaag - iets wat ik erg kon waarderen.
Het plot, voor zover aanwezig, was echter wat minder. Uiteindelijk was de chemie voor mij na 300 pagina's toch wel uitgewerkt. Wellicht had Franzen iets meer kunnen doen met het hippie-achtige jaren '70 thema, dat met name in de dynamiek rondom de jeugdgroep naar voren komt maar uiteindelijk kreeg het boek voor mij toch wat een te somber einde. Vandaar: 4 sterren....more
An intriguing book about an oft forgotten phase in the Pacific War, when Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies and the Japanese still ruled supreme. WitAn intriguing book about an oft forgotten phase in the Pacific War, when Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies and the Japanese still ruled supreme. With a mix of old and obsolete destroyers and cruisers the ABDA command tried to halt the Japanese advance. The author provides a fresh narrative on the way the Dutch with their obselete ships fought the Japanese and how they succeeded with just a handful old submarines to sink more ships than the British and US combined. Karel Doorman, the Dutch admiral who went down with his ship, is reinstated as the man who tried his best, although not enough but at least he tried.
Unfortunately, although extensive and meticulously researched, the narrating style is rather dull and not engaging. Therefore 'just' 3 stars....more
A definite account of the Cuban missile crisis, with some chilling lessons for today
Between July and September 1962, Khrushchev secretly deployed a raA definite account of the Cuban missile crisis, with some chilling lessons for today
Between July and September 1962, Khrushchev secretly deployed a range of nuclear missiles in Cuba. Together with those missiles, came the deployment of tens of thousands of troops and bombers, SAM missiles and bombers. Khrushchev mistakenly and naively thought that ...
When Dick Laird visited Laura Davis, a Japanese woman living in California, it was not an everyday encounter. Dick LI’m the one who killed your father
When Dick Laird visited Laura Davis, a Japanese woman living in California, it was not an everyday encounter. Dick Laird was a veteran of the little-known World War II battle of Attu, which was attacked and occupied by Japanese troops and subsequently recaptured by the US 7th Infantry Division in 1943. Laura Davis's father Paul Tatsuguchi was fighting on the side of Japan, and a journal he had kept for a few days just before his death had become popular reading among veterans. A journal which was found by Dick Laird, after he killed Tatsuguchi.
This book describes the lives of Dick and Paul, from their birth unto their conscription into the American and Japanese armies, the battle of Attu and the lives of Dick and Paul's daughter and wife after the war. Dick who joined the army to escape poverty, Paul who studied in the US and who - after returning to Japan - was conscripted into the Japanese army, torn between his love for the US and his home country.
I have read a lot of WWII books, focussing on the battles, strategy and logistics, but sometimes it is good to focus on the destruction brought about by conflict. This emotional story of the two families brought together by war — and eventually peace — is a story of redemption that comes from forgiveness and understanding....more
A very readable and clear account of the last phase in the Pacific War. Ian W. Toll manages to capture the imagination while recounting the battles anA very readable and clear account of the last phase in the Pacific War. Ian W. Toll manages to capture the imagination while recounting the battles and the experiences of the men who fought in it. I really liked it....more
In this second part of the Pacific War Trilogy, Ian W. Toll relates the politics and battles between the US and Japan in the period from mid-1942 to mIn this second part of the Pacific War Trilogy, Ian W. Toll relates the politics and battles between the US and Japan in the period from mid-1942 to mid-1944. This is the period where the US starts to roll over the Japanese empire as a 'conquering tide' concluding with Japan's irreversible strategic defeat in the Marianas. Again, a good mix between high strategy and the boots on the ground where Ian W. Toll manage to captivate the reader - a masterpiece....more
December 1941 was the month that World War II became truly a 'world' war. The Germans (and Italians) had signed the Tripartite Pact in September 1940 December 1941 was the month that World War II became truly a 'world' war. The Germans (and Italians) had signed the Tripartite Pact in September 1940 with the hopes to defeat Britain and to deter the US from entering the war. The Japanese were hoping to drag Germany into the war against the US and Britain. British grand strategy was above all concerned with bringing the US into the war and Roosevelt was slowly provoking Germany in order to declare war, only to be helped by this by the attack on Pearl Harbour, in one stroke defeating the isolationists and uniting the US as a whole.
The war in the Pacific united the United States, involved the US in the war (finally, as Churchill regarded it) and helped Germany to hide its setback before the gates of Moscow.
Evan Mawdsley argues that the events of the twelve days from 1 to 12 December 1941 were pivotal. He examines the momentous happenings of December 1941 from a variety of perspectives. It shows that their significance is clearly understood only when they are viewed together. In this the book succeeds, however Germany's setback before Moscow feels like the odd one out. I noticed I tended to skip the chapter dealing with this event, as the events in the Pacific and Malaya leading up to Japan's assault were much more interesting....more
Unveiling grain's profound influence on civilizations, economies, and geopolitics
Throughout history, the cultivation and distribution of grain has plaUnveiling grain's profound influence on civilizations, economies, and geopolitics
Throughout history, the cultivation and distribution of grain has played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of humankind. Surplus grain production facilitated urbanization and the rise of complex societies. Grain, transported along river routes, overland trade routes, and across seas, forged connections between disparate regions and cultures. Interruptions in grain supply due to conflicts or political upheavals often led to economic turmoil and civil unrest.
In this book, author Scott Reynolds Nelson traces the flow of grain and how the two most productive regions, Ukraine and the United States. As the Europe's breadbasket, the control over Ukraine's grain production and trade routes has been a factor in influencing regional power dynamics and the relationships between neighboring empires and states. Russia's expansion under Catherine the Great meant that Russia now controlled Europe's grain production. However, the Ottoman empire controlled the trade routes via the Bosporus strait. This allowed Russia to leverage its control over Ukrainian grain production for economic, political, and strategic purposes - and also explains her interest in Constantinople. Controlling Constantinople would provide Russia with access to key maritime trade routes and strengthen its influence over naval and commercial activities in the region and fully control the grain trade.
The United States became a major grain exporter during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant expansion occurring in the latter half of the 19th century. According to Nelson the Homestead Act of 1862, the expansion of the railroads and above all the the practice of futures trading helped to ensure stability in the supply chain, provided a mechanism for managing price risk and allowed the United States to surpass the Ukraine in the world grain trade.
Nelson traces the role of grain and its influence on social-economic topics. He paints the grain trade acting as a catalyst, drawing together both labor and capital where sustenance is abundant and harbors are deep. The grain trade sparked waves of immigration, fueled the engines of industrialization, and gave rise to sprawling urban landscapes. Cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam saw their populations doubling, interspersed with the various grain crises. Nelson pays his respect to Israel Lazarevich Gelfand (better known as Parvus), "a famous revolutionary whom you probably never have heard of", who believed that the grain trade played a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of imperialist powers, economic exploitation, and social unrest, which in turn could provide opportunities for revolutionary change.
Oceans of Grain is a captivating journey and narrative unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Athens, Constantinople, and Moscow and the American plains. The narrative unearths the intricate connections between the ascent of Germany and Italy, the decline of Austria and Turkey, and Europe's feverish scramble for empire.
The book's resonance was made even more palpable to me, as news of Russia's decision not to extend the Ukraine grain deal in July 2023 was taken while I read the book. "Oceans of Grain" made me understand the implications, shining a light on the multifaceted dance between grain, geopolitics, and the destiny of humankind....more
