Is World War II Still the Good War? - Review of WW II Books in the New York Times (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

Well written article focusing on some recent books on World War II and discussion regarding Hitler vs. Stalin and the bombing of civilians. The article may be accessed here.

Warning: some of the books reviewed may confront some of the notions posters hold dear so let's try to keep it civil -- and don't kill the messenger.

It never hurts to re-examine our closely held opinions.

 

[Mitch]

I don't think this will cause a row at all. Its something I have been saying on here for a while and, my take on the history of WWII. Its certainly not revisionary or disrespectful to the allies to understand both sides to a conflict especially, one in which morality played an enourmous part.

its an interesting article and, glad that many historians are balancing the historical fact rather than the somewhat simplistic notion that we won they lost we were good and they were bad.

It makes for a better balanced understanding of the events both in battle and politically during the course of WWII.
Mitch

 

[jazzeum]

I agree with Mitch; it doesn't have to cause a row. I thought this was something that members might enjoy reading. I always find it helpful if someone challenges long held beliefs and it provokes thoughts. It doesn't mean that you have to give them up however. As I'm fond of telling my son, most things are neither black nor white but somewhere in between.

 

[uksubs]

What I always find interesting they always go on about the RAF bombing city but never say about U.S fire bombing Japan.:rolleyes2:

 

[Mitch]

Ie seen some rather scathing reports documents etc about the way the US conducted the air war against the japs so, I suppose it counter balances. I also think that the moral issues that are applicable to the western war in Europe don't come into play so much with the pacific theatres. A bit more haterd between the two combatants IMO.

These new or newer theories are not changing our thoughts about what happened they are really addressing the morality of war especially, in WWII. There is no doubt that the allies used the moral position very heavily against the Nazi's especially but other axis powers. I also don't think they are saying we were wrong to fight the germans just acknowledging that we the allies, were not always as moral as we could or should have been especially, the russians.

Its no surprise that the russians who lost the most have recieved the least sympathy because of the atrocities they committed not only against the germans but, the eastern block countries as a whole especially, the poles and the jews.

Its why their was so much difficulty with the issue of morality at the nuremburg trials when the german defence lawyers brought up atrocities such as Katyn as a defence for their clients on trial. It really is a important point to debate in years to come
Mitch

 

[lancer]

Interesting article. I am always looking to learn new facts about WW2, or any other war for that matter. What one has to watch out for is the tendency of certain authors (and there are always "certain authors"), who will put their spin on the actions taken to win a war, to bend those actions to their perception of what is immoral, from the vantage point of today rather than the period in which the actions took place. It is the great trap of writing history. -- Al

 

[Mitch]

I think from reading the dust covers and pre release speel that its exactly what Ballyntyne has done with the bismark book.

I think most of the stuuf discussed in the article Brad posted has been controversial during and since WWII
Mitch

 

[uksubs]

Interesting article. I am always looking to learn new facts about WW2, or any other war for that matter. What one has to watch out for is the tendency of certain authors (and there are always "certain authors"), who will put their spin on the actions taken to win a war, to bend those actions to their perception of what is immoral, from the vantage point of today rather than the period in which the actions took place. It is the great trap of writing history. -- Al[/QUOTE
Very good point
:wink2: