tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post8757502479173083167..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Scars of Independence by Holger Hoock Brian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-6024952807851801492017-11-19T13:14:24.136-05:002017-11-19T13:14:24.136-05:00Thanks Hila - The American Revolution is a particu...Thanks Hila - The American Revolution is a particular interest of mine. One cannot be interested in everything. For one thing, there is not enough time! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54562041546886719812017-11-19T00:29:09.507-05:002017-11-19T00:29:09.507-05:00Not sure I'll get around to reading this, but ...Not sure I'll get around to reading this, but I enjoyed your review. I haven't studied the American Revolution in-depth, but at least I learn a lot of interesting things about it from your blog.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89807048277702384222017-11-18T13:17:00.326-05:002017-11-18T13:17:00.326-05:00Hi Naida - History does indeed reveal that terribl...Hi Naida - History does indeed reveal that terrible thing on top of terrible thing came out of war. It is hard to wrap one's head around it. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-15197533792899136252017-11-18T10:15:32.686-05:002017-11-18T10:15:32.686-05:00I know you are a history buff and this sounds like...I know you are a history buff and this sounds like a good one. It's crazy to think what people suffer during wars throughout history. Also, what they are able to do to each other in the name of war. The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-7722014912183596022017-11-14T16:26:09.972-05:002017-11-14T16:26:09.972-05:00Hi Susan - The war was in many ways a nasty civil ...Hi Susan - The war was in many ways a nasty civil war. <br /><br />I remeber The Patriot as showing a lot of brutality from the British side. <br /><br />There is a tendency for some writers who document negative events to take a lot of credit for doing so first. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60029375313790296462017-11-14T15:44:09.004-05:002017-11-14T15:44:09.004-05:00I guess there must have been many sympathizers or ...I guess there must have been many sympathizers or spies on both sides which led to a lot of violence & that causes & grievances meant so much to each side. Although I haven't seen the TV series Turn yet, I remember the movie The Patriot (from 2000) with Heath Ledger & Mel Gibson that was very violent indeed. I guess this author just wants his book to get a bigger audience & read by claiming his book's importance etc. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-17290678432427314262017-11-14T15:18:44.855-05:002017-11-14T15:18:44.855-05:00Thanks Tracy. It is interesting that you found boo...Thanks Tracy. It is interesting that you found books that are marketed to U.K. readers like that. Hoock is a European historian so I wonder if that influenced him. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-22207150461983944662017-11-14T15:15:46.296-05:002017-11-14T15:15:46.296-05:00Thanks Baili. We look at some wars with reverence,...Thanks Baili. We look at some wars with reverence, often for good reasons. With that, terrible things happen in all wars. It is best that we recognize that and try to do better in the future. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-73962455404749069362017-11-14T10:53:05.470-05:002017-11-14T10:53:05.470-05:00I must admit the few books I have read on the subj...I must admit the few books I have read on the subject have been somewhat rose tinted but then again I suppose these have been books marketed for a British audience. <br /><br />As always a thought provoking review that has obviously had a lot of thought put into it. Thanks Brian<br />Felicity Grace Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852843882007267665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-1572703575425981482017-11-14T06:57:39.308-05:002017-11-14T06:57:39.308-05:00Thank you for insightful review Brain!
i know lit...Thank you for insightful review Brain!<br /><br />i know little of american revolution and birth of america in the leadership of george washington though but i am aware of much the violence that wars caused to the world .<br /><br />i am glad that writer is being honest in his expressions and revealing the actual dark side of wars .<br /><br />Our country was came into being in 1947 and largest migration of people happened in subcontinent .<br />we used to sing songs for our soldiers who fought bravely in the field as we heard from our grand parents .<br />but as i grew and through books and movies knew the horrible and terrifying aspects of wars i felt miserable .<br /><br />Wars like darkness reveal the real face of men who get opportunity to exhibit the heep his inner ugliness bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-4659787201160673722017-11-13T20:01:08.974-05:002017-11-13T20:01:08.974-05:00Hi Dwight - I have Liberty's Exiles sitting on...Hi Dwight - I have Liberty's Exiles sitting on my shelf but I have not read it yet. <br /><br />Oliver Wiswel sounds really good, thanks for the recommendations!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-69802863259520513042017-11-13T19:58:46.371-05:002017-11-13T19:58:46.371-05:00Hi James - Indeed, The French Revolution, like so ...Hi James - Indeed, The French Revolution, like so many revolutions spiraled out of control into madness. It seems that most folks who have read about The American Revolution do not seem to have found it to be sugar coated. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-30660914337284781482017-11-13T19:08:40.237-05:002017-11-13T19:08:40.237-05:00Thanks Brian. I've had that on my list but hav...Thanks Brian. I've had that on my list but haven't read it yet. <br /><br />Two related ones I'll mention here that I really liked, if you're interested: 1) Liberty's Exiles by Maya Jasanoff (she has a current book out on Joseph Conrad that looks really good), covering what happened to Loyalists during and after the war, and 2) for historical fiction I can recommend Oliver Wiswell by Kenneth Roberts, told from the vantage point of a Loyalist that happens to be in the right place at the right/wrong time for several important events during the war. The catch with the second book is that Wiswell dismisses all rebel claims of mistreatment at the hands of the British while believing all claims of cruelty caused by rebels. An engaging read, even so.Dwighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13688525659034403580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-38057207776039384582017-11-13T15:53:34.892-05:002017-11-13T15:53:34.892-05:00Thanks for a realistic review of this history text...Thanks for a realistic review of this history text. My experience reading about the history of the Revolutionary War (or the War for Independence from Great Britain) has not been one that saw the war as anything less than was. There was violence on both sides. It seems that as far as revolutions go, ours pales in comparison to the French Revolution about a decade later. Perhaps our leaders, in spite of their flaws, had a a more reasonable and enlightened approach.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561320676355168336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-36679615841884563502017-11-13T05:33:30.581-05:002017-11-13T05:33:30.581-05:00Thanks Maria.
You raise a good point about histor...Thanks Maria.<br /><br />You raise a good point about history textbooks. Perhaps they whitewash more then just the events of The American Revolution. At least when it comes to war crimes, they may not be telling the entire story. <br /><br />I understand not wanting to read about brutality and violence. I think that books can point out that these things happened without going into detailed descriptions. As OI get older, I am also finding that I am more easily disturbed by this stuff. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-36146727292990306902017-11-13T05:27:55.954-05:002017-11-13T05:27:55.954-05:00Hi Sharon - I have read a l lot of the newer histo...Hi Sharon - I have read a l lot of the newer history books. At least the ones that I have read have not demonized or overly criticized the Founders. These books are from the most main stream historians. However, there is a movement tied to what I am now calling The Postmodernist Left, that only sees the negative aspects of Western history. The American Founders are a particularly favorite target of theirs. I thought that this book was not of that strain. Instead it was just aimed at showing the more brutal sides of the conflict. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-47574914020435346712017-11-13T05:21:37.834-05:002017-11-13T05:21:37.834-05:00Hi CyberKitten - Indeed these are common things th...Hi CyberKitten - Indeed these are common things that apply to all wars. As terrible as they are, wars are indeed fascinating.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-36643398150336624222017-11-12T20:58:01.910-05:002017-11-12T20:58:01.910-05:00I appreciate your balanced review of this book, Br...I appreciate your balanced review of this book, Brian. As you say, I don't think anyone is under any kind of delusion that war is romantic. I really need to read more about the Revolutionary War. There seems to be various kinds of books out there. Many books today seem intent on making our Nation's Founding Fathers look bad when, in fact they were simply human. It's important to find books that are objective, but it's not easy.<br /><br />Have a good week!Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-2169826947797415432017-11-12T18:35:36.174-05:002017-11-12T18:35:36.174-05:00OUTSTANDING review as usual, Brian!!
You know, I&...OUTSTANDING review as usual, Brian!!<br /><br />You know, I'm sure it's hard for some historians to be objective when they're reporting war crimes committed by their own side. And I think it might be just as hard for them to admit to other types of violence. Thanks to your extensive reading about the American Revolution, you can easily dismiss this author's contention that this violence has been "whitewashed". <br /><br />Now that I've stated this, though, I'm wondering whether Hoock's argument could justifiably be applied to history textbooks used in schools. Hmmmm.... I sure don't remember reading about violent acts committed against civilians during the American Revolution, when I was studying American History in high school. Still, you do have a point, since there have been other books written, not used in classrooms, that do depict these atrocities. <br /><br />To be honest, I don't think I could stomach reading about these violent events, Brian. I would probably do better with a "whitewashed" version of the American Revolution, ironically enough!<br /><br />Thanks for another very insightful review!! Hope you have a WONDERFUL week ahead!! <3 :)<br /><br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-20529038659478928682017-11-12T17:37:45.298-05:002017-11-12T17:37:45.298-05:00Hu CyberKitten - Indeed these are common things th...Hu CyberKitten - Indeed these are common things that apply to all wars. As terrible as they are, wars are indeed fascinating. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-79238645537560447972017-11-12T16:20:29.215-05:002017-11-12T16:20:29.215-05:00All wars are nasty by their very nature. What litt...All wars are nasty by their very nature. What little I've read about this one says it was no exception. Apart from the expected death and destruction both sides went too far for a whole host of reasons. All nations look back on their history (and especially their foundation myths) with rose coloured glasses. No nation is made up purely of heroes (or villains). The good and the bad exist on both sides and in each person. War brings out both the best and the worst in human nature. That's one reason why historians (and some of the rest of us) find it so fascinating.CyberKittenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06394155516712665665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16023742028829947232017-11-12T15:05:21.987-05:002017-11-12T15:05:21.987-05:00Hi Dwight - I am not sure if you read it or not, b...Hi Dwight - I am not sure if you read it or not, but I liked: Tories: Fighting For the King in America's First Civil War by Thomas B. Allen http://briansbabblingbooks.blogspot.com/2014/04/tories-fighting-for-king-in-americas.html<br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89125030190677981702017-11-12T11:59:25.852-05:002017-11-12T11:59:25.852-05:00Hi Kathy - I tend to struggle with the Trump thing...Hi Kathy - I tend to struggle with the Trump thing too. It is very relevant to The American Revolution. Alexander Hamilton in his writings seemed to very much foresee Trump. I think that our system may or may not survive Trump. If it does it means the Constitution still works. If not - as Ellis and others have pointed out, The American Constitution has endured much longer the most of The Founders thought that it would. It has had a great run. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-65692463271015263752017-11-12T11:54:57.794-05:002017-11-12T11:54:57.794-05:00Hi Jillian - The American Revolution has been a li...Hi Jillian - The American Revolution has been a lifelong interest of mine. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-24048297809541671122017-11-12T11:53:47.065-05:002017-11-12T11:53:47.065-05:00Thanks Deepika - I think that sometimes books nee...Thanks Deepika - I think that sometimes books need to show us the darker side of the world. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com