A People's History of the Second World War unearths the fascinating history of the war as fought 'from below'. Until now; the vast majority of historical accounts have focussed on the conflict between the Allied and Axis powers for imperialist mastery. Donny Gluckstein shows that in fact between 1939 and 1945 two distinct wars were fought – one ‘from above’ and one ‘from below’.Using examples from countries under the Nazi heel; in the colonies and within the Axis and Allied camps; Gluckstein brings to life the very different struggle of the people's and resistance movements which proliferated during the war. He shows how they fought not just fascism; but colonialism and empire; and were betrayed by the Allies at the war’s end.This book will fundamentally challenge our understanding of the Second World War – both about the people who fought it and the reasons for which it was fought.
#716169 in Books Jeffry D Wert 2009-09-22 2009-09-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.44 x 1.40 x 5.50l; 1.01 #File Name: 0743278240520 pagesCavalryman of the Lost Cause A Biography of J E B Stuart
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Putting a human face on this Confederate cavalry generalBy Tom BetzThere are many books about the life and military career of JEB Stuart; and Wert has done a good job of trying to put a human face on this young man who died in May 1864. Gen. Stuart rose to fame from the rank of First Lieutenant when he resigned from the U.S. Cavalry to return to Virginia in 1861. His dramatic raids that took his troops around the U.S. Army of the Potomac made him famous both in the South and the North. These events have been discussed at length; and their actual military value may not have been as much as could have been accomplished; however; they were what fame is made of.Stuart received criticism for his performance at Gettysburg; but much of that actually belongs to Gen. R. Lee who made the decision - against his better judgment - to stand and fight on those three days in July 1863.As one who has been researching JEB Stuart I found this book to be a valuable resource and to give a different perspective on the young Virginian who led the Confederate cavalry for two busy years before his untimely death at Yellow Tavern.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I take a bite of issue with Huffard's statement that Wert strongly inferred that Stuart's love for the company and praise of youBy V.C. McQuiddyThis is an outstanding book if you are very interested in the Civil War; the Army of Northern Virginia and Jeb Stuart. I am very impressed with the reviews of Robert Huffard and James Durney found here. I take a bite of issue with Huffard's statement that Wert strongly inferred that Stuart's love for the company and praise of young women went far beyond flirting. Wert does not say that at all; although in today's world people are programmed by our media to automatically feel there is fire where there is smoke. There may have been; but Wert is balanced; and without innuendo on this topic.It is a wonderful story of the military life of a great strategist and tactician; and does a superb job of describing this very complex man; with all of his human defects and strength. Since childhood he has been my favorite Civil War character; but I have always thought of him as pure and virtuous in all things. Wert paints a realistic picture of the man; and whileI found myself being disappointed with some of his actions regarding colleagues I concluded that; at only 30 years of age; he had to be a genius tactician with a natural intuition regarding movement and placement of his forces to bring about the best result. There is no doubt of the extent of research done by Wert; its tremendous; but at the same time;you are easily reading a novel-like story of Stuart's life. I haven't read the other biographies on Stuart; but after this one; I do not feel the need to. Congratulations Mr. Wert. I couldn't recommend this work any more. Read it.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Fantastic ReadBy T. AdamsI got this book because I love learning about the Civil War (PC). I am reading all that I can about the South. My third generation great grandfather fought in the Laurel Brigade (12th VA Cavalry). I generally try to stay away from mainstream readings because they all say the same thing; "North was good; North wanted to free the slaves; South was bad; they wanted to keep slaves." In general; biographies stay away from that sort of thing. Anyway; this was a very pleasant read. I found myself captivated and having difficulty putting it down; especially when right in the heat of a battle. From other things I have read; I find this book to be accurate and it uses many of the same sources that many other authors use for various topics--many commonly used sources--not a whole lot of buried or hard to find stuff.I love learning about the Southern generals and view them in the highest respect. I read some of the other reviews and they indicate that several books give praise and can find no fault in Stuart (which I happen to like in my own little world); Wert doesn't paint Stuart as a God like other authors do; he is very respectful in how he handles situations. He puts the facts out there and lets you determine his character; which still remains in a positive light. He shares the good; the neutral and some of the negative about Stuart and his character. As far as I am concerned; he doesn't have any bias towards or against Stuart. Its a very clean and clear-cut book. Not a lot of fluff; but plenty of information and interesting facts.
