In 1964; Pope Paul VI ordered the Vatican diplomatic archives covering the period of World War II opened; and they were eventually published in 12 volumes. Blet taught history at the Pontificia Academia Ecclesiastica for 17 years; and here constructs from those records an account of what is widely p
#571475 in Books Hill and Wang 2001-04-16 2001-04-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .79 x 5.50l; .92 #File Name: 0809016281336 pages
Review
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating and well-written--required reading for AmericansBy Quickhappy"At its core 'civilization' was an economic concept" (p. 50). So shows Jacobson; in his wonderful book; _Barbarian Virtues_.Vile racial hatreds define these hegemonic notions of "civilization." Jacobson's extensive research shows persistent and everyday racism operating in the daily discourse of American power. Presidents McKinley and (Teddy) Roosevelt; as well as major newspapers and magazines; spew a stream of racism; and show it as a basic part of elite common sense at the time.I want to second the reviewer from Durham; who found this book short on Blackness. (Jacobson's excellent _Whiteness of a Different Color_ helps somewhat.) One might add that this book only skims over the important experience of the violent conquest of the West and the Indians; in shaping "civilization" and "savage" during these years. (Drinnon's _Facing West: The Metaphysics of Indian-Hating and Empire Building is a larger and longer contribution in this regard.)The book could be faulted for lingering on the Tarzan novels; for example; when more pressing political issues ruled the day. And I was hungry for a more sustained discussion of the colonization of the Philippines.But Jacobson is in pursuit of "civilized" ideas in everyday American thought--that's his safari here and; as such; he pursues his subject with great talent. _Barbarian Virtues_ is a fast and gripping read. And it exposes what school textbooks and the mass media forget so well: America has a long and viscious history of racial hatred. When our politicians today speak of "civilization;" we ought to remember its deep; poisonous roots; and its longstanding use to justify the most brutal exertions of capitalist greed.15 of 18 people found the following review helpful. ExtraordinaryBy A CustomerThis is an extraordinary book. It traces the intersecting lines ofthe American imperial drive for markets during this period; with thepush for immigration as a source of cheap labor. Interwoven with bothpolicies was an unremitting ethnocentrism and racism. This bookexplains the relationship between these factors; and how they helpedshaped American nationalism and consciousness during the period. Onecan also recognize the roots of recent American history in thisearlier period.... The book is brimming with startling andthought-provoking information. Even one familiar with this period ofAmerican history will find much that is new. The quotations in thebook are worth the price alone: almost every page contains a quotationto make the jaw drop! This book is exceptionally well written; andextremely fascinating. It's one of the rare books that had megrabbing my friends and urging them to read it!0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Brian YokleyGreat price
