Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Just an audiobook I listened to on long runs. Hitchens is reliable as ever, producing a book with plenty of food for thought and plenty of things that make you want to kick him up the arse.
He sets out to dispel the myth of world war 2 as a manichean struggle of pure good against pure evil, mainly because as such it is used to justify many other, less worthwhile wars, simply by comparing the enemy to Hitler and opponents of war as appeasers. Obviously, in doing this, he is aware of the risk of seeming to downplay the holocaust or engage in moral equivalence, so he starts off by laying down a few pages of covering fire, followed up with occasional extra bursts whenever he gets to an especially controversial bit. There are valuable reminders that for Britain it was a war of national interest, not (at the time) a pure struggle against genocide. He also reminds us of the reluctance of the Americans to join, the dubious morality of siding with Stalin, and the horrendous cost in civilian life inflicted by allied bombing raids.
Of course, in his eagerness to contradict absolutely all received wisdom, (Hitler wasn't planning to invade Britain, Churchill was a bastard, the battle of Britain was no big deal etc etc) he occasionally contradicts himself. So, he laments that Britain didn't wait till later before declaring War to give themselves time to rearm, and also that, having declared it, they waited for so long before attacking. Now, you can believe one of these two things, but they seem mutually contradictory.
Anyway, all good stuff I'm sure. It picks up themes from some of his other books and of course it is well argued, well written and never boring for a single second.
He sets out to dispel the myth of world war 2 as a manichean struggle of pure good against pure evil, mainly because as such it is used to justify many other, less worthwhile wars, simply by comparing the enemy to Hitler and opponents of war as appeasers. Obviously, in doing this, he is aware of the risk of seeming to downplay the holocaust or engage in moral equivalence, so he starts off by laying down a few pages of covering fire, followed up with occasional extra bursts whenever he gets to an especially controversial bit. There are valuable reminders that for Britain it was a war of national interest, not (at the time) a pure struggle against genocide. He also reminds us of the reluctance of the Americans to join, the dubious morality of siding with Stalin, and the horrendous cost in civilian life inflicted by allied bombing raids.
Of course, in his eagerness to contradict absolutely all received wisdom, (Hitler wasn't planning to invade Britain, Churchill was a bastard, the battle of Britain was no big deal etc etc) he occasionally contradicts himself. So, he laments that Britain didn't wait till later before declaring War to give themselves time to rearm, and also that, having declared it, they waited for so long before attacking. Now, you can believe one of these two things, but they seem mutually contradictory.
Anyway, all good stuff I'm sure. It picks up themes from some of his other books and of course it is well argued, well written and never boring for a single second.
An insightful view of the British experience of WWII.
At first the author goes in depth on the folly of when and how Britain joined the war, saying it had not been enough realpolitik and cynical about joining the war and the near collapse of Britain it brought about.
He then goes on to critise the bombing of German cities for little military purpose.
The main argument is quite good, but sometimes side comments are wacky such as:
- The moral weakness allowed by bombing civilians then permitted the failing of an abortion massacre?!
- The European union is a continuation of the German state...
He seems to criticise delusions of British imperial greatness but then seems to also critique European integration.
At first the author goes in depth on the folly of when and how Britain joined the war, saying it had not been enough realpolitik and cynical about joining the war and the near collapse of Britain it brought about.
He then goes on to critise the bombing of German cities for little military purpose.
The main argument is quite good, but sometimes side comments are wacky such as:
- The moral weakness allowed by bombing civilians then permitted the failing of an abortion massacre?!
- The European union is a continuation of the German state...
He seems to criticise delusions of British imperial greatness but then seems to also critique European integration.
Interesting perspective on how much of what we know about historical events it is a fairytail written by the people or the state on power.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Could have included more examples to help foster the message, but I admire Peter's courage as he lives in a country resigned to soy democracy. Between this book and other texts dealing with Churchill's behavior ahead of the Lusitania disaster, it appears our longtime worship of that alcoholic clown is misplaced.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A good read for WWII interested audience.
informative
slow-paced
I picked this book up thinking it was a different story, i.e. how the allies used trickery to fool the Germans.
This book is very different. It systematically narrates the plan by the British government to be relevant in the 1930s which backfired spectacularly, leading to the collapse of the British Empire.
I'm not sure what you think of this book. Some of the things in here goes against the convention (or the myths) of Great Britain's contribution during the Second World War.
The war is real but reason for it and the way it was handled was hidden very cleverly. It seems there was a lot of atrocities made by the allies but kept hidden or justified by saying the Axis were worse. However, two wrongs do not make a right.
This is an interesting book. It contradicts with what I have been taught about the second world war. I recommend people do their own research.
This book is very different. It systematically narrates the plan by the British government to be relevant in the 1930s which backfired spectacularly, leading to the collapse of the British Empire.
I'm not sure what you think of this book. Some of the things in here goes against the convention (or the myths) of Great Britain's contribution during the Second World War.
The war is real but reason for it and the way it was handled was hidden very cleverly. It seems there was a lot of atrocities made by the allies but kept hidden or justified by saying the Axis were worse. However, two wrongs do not make a right.
This is an interesting book. It contradicts with what I have been taught about the second world war. I recommend people do their own research.
I'd heard this book was somewhat controversial as it attempts to dispel some of the heroic myths the British have bestowed on WW2.
I don't know if it's because I'm particularly well versed on this period of history, but I found this not in the least controversial.
However, I'm pretty sure there's still a sizable portion of the public that have a rather rosy image of those catastrophic years, but I can't help but think this was probably necessary to keep the country functioning during a period of rapid decline.
Peter Hitchens writes well and is easy to read. If you are not a student of history and want to understand the real history of WW2 as opposed to the Hollywood version, then I'd recommend this book as a good launching point to widen your knowledge.
I don't know if it's because I'm particularly well versed on this period of history, but I found this not in the least controversial.
However, I'm pretty sure there's still a sizable portion of the public that have a rather rosy image of those catastrophic years, but I can't help but think this was probably necessary to keep the country functioning during a period of rapid decline.
Peter Hitchens writes well and is easy to read. If you are not a student of history and want to understand the real history of WW2 as opposed to the Hollywood version, then I'd recommend this book as a good launching point to widen your knowledge.
informative
reflective
medium-paced