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gregory_dewaegheneire's review against another edition
4.0
Whoa, wat een boek ! Een uniek boek dat bij momenten wel wat herhalend werd, vandaar geen 5 sterren.
Ik vermoed dat er héél wat opzoekwerk bij dit boek te kijken kwam. Heel verrijkend hoe de aangeleerde geschiedenis soms serieus afwijkt van de mensen die het uit eerste hand beleefden.
Een aanrader voor iedereen die ook maar een beetje in geschiedenis is geïnteresseerd.
Ik vermoed dat er héél wat opzoekwerk bij dit boek te kijken kwam. Heel verrijkend hoe de aangeleerde geschiedenis soms serieus afwijkt van de mensen die het uit eerste hand beleefden.
Een aanrader voor iedereen die ook maar een beetje in geschiedenis is geïnteresseerd.
zivan's review
4.0
An interesting combination of History ans Sociology, this book analyzes transcriptions of conversations between German and Italian POWs during WWII.
The raw material here is unique in its nature, as opposed to the usual fare of apologetic chronicles written after the fact.
Much effort was made to put the recorded conversations into context.
Sometimes the author's interpretation of the conversation is redundant as it is very clear what was said, but in most cases I gained insights.
I do take issue with the conclusion of the book, as it seems to imply that all humans are capable of doing what the Nazis did in the right framework. and implies that other armies provide the same framework.
I do think the Wermacht provided a significantly different framework for its troops regarding the treatment of none combatants and POWs and occupied peoples in general.
While irregular warfare scrambles other armies ability to distinguish between civilians and combatants it is the nature of that foe that makes this difficult.
Having an ethos of not hurting civilians may not be enough but it helps.
If the ethos is no mercy mixed with heavy racism the result is significantly different.
The raw material here is unique in its nature, as opposed to the usual fare of apologetic chronicles written after the fact.
Much effort was made to put the recorded conversations into context.
Sometimes the author's interpretation of the conversation is redundant as it is very clear what was said, but in most cases I gained insights.
I do take issue with the conclusion of the book, as it seems to imply that all humans are capable of doing what the Nazis did in the right framework. and implies that other armies provide the same framework.
I do think the Wermacht provided a significantly different framework for its troops regarding the treatment of none combatants and POWs and occupied peoples in general.
While irregular warfare scrambles other armies ability to distinguish between civilians and combatants it is the nature of that foe that makes this difficult.
Having an ethos of not hurting civilians may not be enough but it helps.
If the ethos is no mercy mixed with heavy racism the result is significantly different.
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