About this book:In 1993; as a 23-year-old correspondent covering the wars in the Balkans; I was initially comforted by the roar of NATO planes flying overhead. President Clinton and other western leaders had sent the planes to monitor the Bosnian war; which had killed almost 200;000 civilians. But it soon became clear that NATO was unwilling to target those engaged in brutal "ethnic cleansing." American statesmen described Bosnia as "a problem from hell;" and for three and a half years refused to invest the diplomatic and military capital needed to stop the murder of innocents. In Rwanda; around the same time; some 800;000 Tutsi and opposition Hutu were exterminated in the swiftest killing spree of the twentieth century. Again; the United States failed to intervene. This time U.S. policy-makers avoided labeling events "genocide" and spearheaded the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers stationed in Rwanda who might have stopped the massacres underway. Whatever America's commitment to Holocaust remembrance (embodied in the presence of the Holocaust Museum on the Mall in Washington; D.C.); the United States has never intervened to stop genocide. This book is an effort to understand why. While the history of America's response to genocide is not an uplifting one; "A Problem from Hell" tells the stories of countless Americans who took seriously the slogan of "never again" and tried to secure American intervention. Only by understanding the reasons for their small successes and colossal failures can we understand what we as a country; and we as citizens; could have done to stop the most savage crimes of the last century.-Samantha Power
#456926 in Books Basic Books 2014-02-11 2014-02-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x 1.20 x 5.80l; .80 #File Name: 0465030106264 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Thought provoking.By josh engenI thoroughly enjoyed Marsden’s introduction; because it gave a great summation of what to expect for the rest of the book. I especially enjoyed his section on identifying his viewpoint and the importance of recognizing that objectivity is impossible. I appreciated how he offered different perspectives of how people viewed the problems of the 1950’s. Some were cynical; some were neutral; and some were optimistic. A common view was that high culture and education would fix society; but Marsden replies; “Germans had more high culture than any nation in history when in 1932 they voted Hitler into power.†(10). This book has caused me to question and think more deeply about my own ideals and presuppositions. It was interesting to see that people had some of the same worries about culture; media; and technology as people do today; as well as many differences. I have only come across a handful of books as informative; helpful; and transformational as this one. Marsden connects the dots of famous works; people; and theories that I learned about throughout my schooling; so that I can better understand them and their impact on the world. The book was easily readable and kept me turning the page. His discussion on how the specialization of philosophers lead to their lack of influence on society caused me to think about the similar circumstances in scholarly religion. I agree with Marsden’s assessment that we need to figure out a way for religion to exist in the public sphere. I also agree with his conclusion that the starting point is with Kuyper’s philosophy. His philosophy seems to make sense; which works from the principle set forth by St Augustine; “I believe in order to understand.†It is important for Christians and non-Christians to think about how we can stop the culture war mentality; but instead move towards a more inclusive pluralism. In order to do this we must widen our perspective; humbly communicate with others; and cultivate shared principles while honoring the differences. This book convinced me of these things and at the same time widening my own perspective own life and the world.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Insightful. Fair. Challenging.By Israel ChurchIn terms of cultural analysis; it was fascinating to read a book about the 50's and find that many of the issues have remained the same or only worsened over time. I have struggled with these very same ideas: that of balancing my own deeply held convictions with a respect for the beliefs and values of others; and how that to legitimately maintain the kind of "inclusive pluralism" that Marsden argues for in the public square. Marsden offers a valuable and fair analysis of culture from a Protestant perspective; as well as a viable option for becoming a more inclusive society. There is much work to be done; as Marsden well knows; but this is a start for exploring the reasons we have gotten to this point in our society and possible solutions. It is a needed book because all too often we negate or neglect certain opinions simply because we disagree with them; rather than giving them a fair hearing or considering them on their own terms.Also; the references to the Soviet Union and comparisons with the U.S. are quite intriguing. And the footnotes! I love a book that sends me to find more books exploring topics of interest.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. and did not see it go the way he would have liked. (ButBy V. K. InmanThis book seems to take the perspective of one who has lived through it all; and did not see it go the way he would have liked. (But; hey; that's me too!) As such it is extremely well illustrated with quotes from the decades under discussion and illustrated with information from popular sources; such as the popular magazines of the time. It is a very "heady" discussion of issues of the time and inciting of discussion. This would be an excellent book for discussion groups; and an excellent text book on history; culture; or philosophy during the 20th century.The author and I share almost the same life span and theological background. I therefore particularly recommend it to people from a Christian evangelical background--but it's relevance goes far beyond this.
