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Reading this book makes me wonder -- can the US really entertain a grey president? (I hope so.) We've certainly come a long way re acceptance of Catholics, Jews, women's and black's rights. But we still have a long way to go.
But what struck me after reading the book was, how would history have been changed had we applied the Marshall Plan (or similar) to post WW I Germany? The Marshall Plan has taught us (or should have) how completely our prosperity and well being is linked to the prosperity and well being of others.
What more can you ask of a book than that it make you think?
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Snippets of newspaper stories, writings from letters and diaries, speeches, etc. up to the end of 1941. The problem with this anthology is the lack of context and inclusion of frequently dull pieces of information-didn't add much to my knowledge of WWII.
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I was very first made aware of this book by an article on CNN. I immediately ordered the book from Amazon and totally disregarded (in fact I didn't even read them) the reviews here. I knew that this book would polarize everyone, before they even read it. I hope to provide an honest review.
I expected the book to be a collection of newspaper clippings, from which I could draw my own conclusions. Upon receiving and reading the book, I must report that this is not the case. Most (in truth almost all) of the articles are summarized and include information discovered after the war. While this is helpful from a historical point of view, it also allows the author to insert his own view (either by happenstance, or purposefully) which he does a bit too much. Personally, I support the pacifist cause, but would have preferred more attention to an unbiased presentation of the facts.
I must also admit that I was completely unprepared for the revelations which the book inspires. As a graduate of the class of '01, my education of WWII was wholly inadequate. I was taught in public school that Churchill & Roosevelt were saints and Hittler was the devil incarnate. After reading the information in this book, and verifying the sources, I've had an eye opening experience. As it happens, all 3 of them are devils. Heres a FEW of the things this book will reveal to you...
The reason why Germany invaded Poland, and the offer to give it back.
How Churchill twisted public opinion to become Prime Minister, and his bloodlust for civilian casualties.
Germany's attempts to export its Jewish population, and provide them their own country.
The refusal of ALL major nations to accept Jewish refugees, as a result of their own anti-semitism.
The reason why Germany invaded Russia.
The circumstances which caused the formation of the "final solution" to the Jewish question.
This book contains an EXTENSIVE bibliography, which will keep you busy for hours on end "verifying". The simple fact of the matter is, you can't go back and rewrite history, the truth eventually resurfaces itself. "Human Smoke" does just that, it revives the dead voices and breathes an air of truth. I believe any history buff, or inquisitive person will value and cherish this book. If you desire substance which challenges your own historical foundations, then read this book.
While I love this book and its message, I really was disappointed with the bias issue. While the facts are true, I would have preferred less "commentary".
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Be aware that this is nothing more than a collection of mostly newspaper stories. 70% of the stories are of personal, trivial occurrences that are as boring as they are inconsequential. Any time items of consequence are brought up there is a complete lack of depth or follow through. The end result is a vapid book that is a rip off of time and money.
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As a life-long conservative, I've found myself challenging my beliefs over the past five or so years. I've read a lot of books I would have called "pinko-commie" not too long ago. "The Corporation" was the first, followed by Howard Zinn's history of the 20th Century. Those gave rise to questioning our country.
I'd long heard that WWII was precipitated by issues seldom discussed in conventional history books. This book solidifies many of those things I'd heard. What's amazing is that the book, by and large, is not modern day opinion and observation of 60 year old facts, but rather a selection of opinions and facts FROM 60 years ago. Our history books make it seem as if the Allies were peace-loving peoples forced into a state of war by the crazed Axis countries.
While Hitler may have started the war, the book shows how the incidents that happened after the beginning of the war (and indeed, before it ever started) are not the way our history books seem to remember them. The sanitized history we are all fed here is shattered when you read this book.
Even if you choose not to accept or believe all you read here, the information is good to have regardless of your political leanings. Like I said, I'm a conservative (so much so that folks used to say I couldn't even make a left turn) but events of the past 10 years, bolstered by books like this, make me question where I really stand. When a book makes you question your beliefs - you know it's a powerful book.