When history resorts to simple explanations to describe complex circumstances, it makes repeating the mistakes of the past more inevitable, and worthy lessons harder to learn. That is why Niall Ferguson book, The World of the War - Twentieth-Century Conflict and the Descent of the West, is so compelling. Niall Ferguson addresses with detailed analysis the crucial passages of history: how did Europe descend so precipitously in war in 1914? Why did Germany support Hitler? What was worse , British appeasement of Hitler or the lack of contingency planning? Was there a case for preemptive war in 1938? How could Japan and Germany look invincible in 1942 and lose the war? How important was Britain's contributions? What circumstances led to realism in American foreign policy? Why has genocide been repeated over and over again? A fascinating and important account of the Twentieth Century.
February 16, 2008
January 29, 2008
Remember Agincourt – you won’t forget it!
- by Juliet Barker
A most inspirational and fascinating journey through time.
I received Agincourt as a gift and looked forward to
reminding myself of my favorite Shakespeare Henry V quotes: On receiving tennis balls from the Dauphin of
France, an unfunny French joke, Henry V said “His
jest will savour but of shallow wit, When thousands more weep than did laugh at
it,” or “the strawberry grows beneath the nettle” (Ely to Canterbury) or the
classic rabble rouser before the battle “For
he today that sheds blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile..” Barker strips the theatre from history. Her account is a fascinating exploration into
the ambiguous political circumstances, the chivalry, the gruesome common sense
strategy of war and above all the extraordinary courage and single-minded
determination of one man. Anyone facing
the toughest challenges, against insurmountable odds should read
