From huge; fragile airships hanging in the sky to dashing young war pilots obsessed with death and destruction; this text describes Germany's perilous romance with aviation; covering the bright idealism of flight and its darker service in total war.
#552508 in Books Harvard University Press 2008-12-15 2008-08-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.98 x .82 x 5.51l; .54 #File Name: 067403032X320 pages
Review
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A fine first offeringBy kelsieArmitage's work; though far from comprehensive; is an excellent "conversation starter" regarding the immense influence the U.S. Declaration of Independence has exerted upon world movements towards self-empowerment. And the reader need not take Armitage's word alone as the gospel: the oblong volume includes a broad selection of "declarations of independence" from around the world; including those from such diverse locations as Liberia; Texas; and Israel.Armitage analyzes the ideological influences writers have felt from Jefferson's document; and offers his interpretations regarding the importance of those influences. His work is a key discussion on an emerging field in American archival study.However; this book is simply not long enough. Only half of the volume is devoted to Armitage's research. The remaining half is given over to sample declarations; Jefferson's rough and final drafts for the Second Continental Congress; a British rebuttal to the American document; and a table listing almost all independence pronouncements from 1776 to 1993. Armitage has opened the discussion--it remains for a further scholar; or perhaps Armitage himself--to take it to the next level.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It's okay. Not very insightful and I'm not surprised ...By ShaunIt's okay. Not very insightful and I'm not surprised since Armitage is sort of full of himself. However; it does introduce elementary ideas that may be helpful to introductory history classes. Also the image on the cover is already peeling on my copy.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A Fascinating View of a Familiar DocumentBy Don H. DoyleThis book offers a fresh perspective on what may be the most familiar document in American history. What David Armitage shows is that the Declaration quickly became an international document; a template for dozens; hundreds in the end; of other movements for national independence around the globe. From Vietnam to Palestine it seems the American Declaration became like a form letter nationalists could download and fill in the blanks according to whatever particular grievances supported their claim to independence. This is meant to be a succinct; focused argument about the influence of the Declaration around the globe and across time. It is written in a crisp; lucid style that students and general readers will find very accessible.
