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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
In this book Buruma tries to answer the question: "What did actually happen direct after the war?".
Inspired by his own father's life story, Buruma dives into 1945 (and the years preceding and following it, when necessary) to look at the events at a world scale. Buruma luckily does not try to be complete, but tells his story of general events with well-chosen examples. His book is in three parts, 'The Liberation Complex', 'Clearing the Rubble' and 'Never Again', and focuses on topics as celebrations, revenge, the problems of displaced people, denazification, trials of war crimes, and the foundation of the United Nations. In this respect 'Year Zero' is as much a cultural history as a political history. Buruma gives much attention to the Netherlands (his home country) and Japan (his specialty), but of course tales from e.g. France, Poland and the United Kingdom are told as well. Very interesting are Buruma's accounts of hardly known tales of e.g. Greece, Vietnam, Syria and The Phillippines.
At times Buruma's story can wander a little (his account on celebrations rambles on and on about sex, for example), but his book is well-written throughout, and highly enjoyable, as well as insightful. Buruma has a very personal style, and his views and opinions often shine through without restraint, but he's also very good in showing different perceptions, opinions and reactions to events. One should not read 'Year Zero' if one looks for a chronological series of events, but as an introduction to the general spirit of the year, this is a great read. Well-recommended.
Inspired by his own father's life story, Buruma dives into 1945 (and the years preceding and following it, when necessary) to look at the events at a world scale. Buruma luckily does not try to be complete, but tells his story of general events with well-chosen examples. His book is in three parts, 'The Liberation Complex', 'Clearing the Rubble' and 'Never Again', and focuses on topics as celebrations, revenge, the problems of displaced people, denazification, trials of war crimes, and the foundation of the United Nations. In this respect 'Year Zero' is as much a cultural history as a political history. Buruma gives much attention to the Netherlands (his home country) and Japan (his specialty), but of course tales from e.g. France, Poland and the United Kingdom are told as well. Very interesting are Buruma's accounts of hardly known tales of e.g. Greece, Vietnam, Syria and The Phillippines.
At times Buruma's story can wander a little (his account on celebrations rambles on and on about sex, for example), but his book is well-written throughout, and highly enjoyable, as well as insightful. Buruma has a very personal style, and his views and opinions often shine through without restraint, but he's also very good in showing different perceptions, opinions and reactions to events. One should not read 'Year Zero' if one looks for a chronological series of events, but as an introduction to the general spirit of the year, this is a great read. Well-recommended.
informative
medium-paced
informative
« It wouldn’t last of course, nothing ever does. But that is no reason not to pay tribute to the men and women who were alise in 1945, to their hardships, and to their hopes and aspirations, even thought many of these would turn to ash, as everything eventually does. »
Fantastic account of the end of WWII, it’s consequences and effects.
Fantastic account of the end of WWII, it’s consequences and effects.
The cover photo of the statue overlooking the destroyed remains of Dresden is very powerful.
The photo of the starved POWs in Malaya is startling. That alone provides a powerful message about the deprivations of WWII.
I learned some interesting tidbits along the way.
Those are the only positive things I can say about Year Zero. I felt like I spent a winter in Cleveland reading this book. At roughly 340 pages it isn't all that big but it was a challenge to get through.
Buruma created a dreary, dense thicket of complaints and pessimism that made my eyes glaze over more than I care to admit. Looking back on the reading experience I'm not sure how I am able to say the book had its good moments when the prevailing memory is plowing through for the sole purpose of getting to the end. Up to about the midway point I gave up hoping the book would suddenly get interesting and it never did.
Buruma presents history as if the reader is already keenly aware of its finer details. That's okay enough with lots of WWII history but when he started delving into Greece, Malaysia, Syria and China circa 1945 I was desperately seeking a life preserver. The book is more social commentary than history which may explain why helpful background history and context are sorely lacking.
The author's ceaseless criticisms of absolutely all major parties involved in WWII and his overall negative tone made me wonder if he's ever had a happy moment in his life. Ultimately I don't care because I'll never read another one of his books again.
The photo of the starved POWs in Malaya is startling. That alone provides a powerful message about the deprivations of WWII.
I learned some interesting tidbits along the way.
Those are the only positive things I can say about Year Zero. I felt like I spent a winter in Cleveland reading this book. At roughly 340 pages it isn't all that big but it was a challenge to get through.
Buruma created a dreary, dense thicket of complaints and pessimism that made my eyes glaze over more than I care to admit. Looking back on the reading experience I'm not sure how I am able to say the book had its good moments when the prevailing memory is plowing through for the sole purpose of getting to the end. Up to about the midway point I gave up hoping the book would suddenly get interesting and it never did.
Buruma presents history as if the reader is already keenly aware of its finer details. That's okay enough with lots of WWII history but when he started delving into Greece, Malaysia, Syria and China circa 1945 I was desperately seeking a life preserver. The book is more social commentary than history which may explain why helpful background history and context are sorely lacking.
The author's ceaseless criticisms of absolutely all major parties involved in WWII and his overall negative tone made me wonder if he's ever had a happy moment in his life. Ultimately I don't care because I'll never read another one of his books again.
informative
medium-paced
informative
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
sad
slow-paced