As a veteran war correspondent; Chris Hedges has survived ambushes in Central America; imprisonment in Sudan; and a beating by Saudi military police. He has seen children murdered for sport in Gaza and petty thugs elevated into war heroes in the Balkans. Hedges; who is also a former divinity student; has seen war at its worst and knows too well that to those who pass through it; war can be exhilarating and even addictive: “It gives us purpose; meaning; a reason for living.â€Drawing on his own experience and on the literature of combat from Homer to Michael Herr; Hedges shows how war seduces not just those on the front lines but entire societies—corrupting politics; destroying culture; and perverting basic human desires. Mixing hard-nosed realism with profound moral and philosophical insight; War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning is a work of terrible power and redemptive clarity whose truths have never been more necessary.
#183831 in Books 2012-03-13 2012-03-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 241.30 x 40.26 x 6.50l; 1.39 #File Name: 1608194329416 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent review of an iconic affair; not just in France; but for the worldBy David H. EisenbergI have always heard of the Dreyfus Affair. I knew in general that a Jewish French military officer was falsely convicted; languished in a penal colony; and was eventually resuscitated; but in which I was in no manner well versed in it. The book was an eye opener and very informative. I had no idea of the depth of the intrigue; the immoral behavior of those involved in convicting and perpetuating the fraud; of how long it went on; his suffering; of the involvement of his family; especially his rock-like loyalty of his brother Mathieu and his Dreyfus' wife; Dreyfus's own awkward and somewhat self-destructive behavior and his relatively stoic suffering while imprisoned; the whole of the Émile Zola J'accuse letter and brave stands by others; the related prosecutions and law suits; the class and religious divisions in French society; the many related adulteries; talk of war and diplomatic aspects and of course; the real perpetrator of the crimes and how he got away with them. I know now. More than anything it shows how distorted honor and peer pressure can bend even good people. I save five stars for the greatest history books (e.g.; the Durants' The Story of Civilization); but don't mistake that as criticism - this is an excellent work of history without any flaws of which I'm aware. It was very readable and stopped where it needed to; provided color without irrelevant details. A well told story.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This is ALL the facts...and nothing but the facts....By J BookThe author is an easy read. No master's thesis words used to impress. The over-all book is truely professionally done.The photos are perfect for what they represent and even a few more might be even better.The wording flows right along in an understandable fashion that progresses the thought process from start to finish.And if you wish to know what Dreyfus had for breakfast just after he was released from his prison...well; there is so much detail provided; you'd think the menu might be provided. (I jest... ). I do wish I knew more French and especially better pronounciations as I believe that might let me understand some situations better.Over-all; a mighty fine book on this over-worked subject. The author has done a great job in making this book seem like it provides all new info the "Affair" that so many have already gone over.........I gave this book a 4 as I don't believe there is a need for so much national history prior to the actual goings of this subject.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great read; places this notorious episode in French history ...By GraemeA great read; places this notorious episode in French history into the social and political context of the prevailing anti-Antisemitism prevailing in France at the time. It shows how the French military and the population hadn't recovered from the Franco-Prussian war of 1870; and how this contribted to the prevailing attitude that France took into WW! with disastrous consequences.
