Thank you for exposing Baker and his dangerous book. As I read your review, I kept thinking about Jonah Goldberg's... [MORE]

Paul Cruce 

Mar 25, 2008 10:32

Surely there is a case to be made against Nicholson Baker's "Human Smoke," but Adam Kirsch has not made it... [MORE]

Max Greene 

Mar 18, 2008 11:21

Max Greene comments that since Baker defines Goebbels as an "anti-intellectual monster" he doesn't rehabilitate Goebbels character by using him... [MORE]

William Maron 

Mar 25, 2008 10:00

The reviewer makes it quite clear why this is a terrible book. He points out how the author has not... [MORE]

MClark 

Mar 25, 2008 13:43

Unfortunately, this viewpoint is all too common in history departments at colleges throughout the country. The influence of Chomsky and... [MORE]

NJB 

Mar 17, 2008 18:10

So often history is updated to serve a current trend or philosophy. People like Nicholson Baker seem to lack... [MORE]

Roger Strong 

Mar 17, 2008 03:14

Thank God there are people as sane, informed, and articulate as Adam Kirsch to put a damper on run-amoks like... [MORE]

Bill Parker 

Mar 15, 2008 20:38

america was compelled to join ww2 on the side of the allies only after japan attacked pearl harbor. it was... [MORE]

B Eluma 

Mar 15, 2008 08:03

This revisionist history of WW2 is seriouse. Noam Chomsky named once a pacifist from WW2 as his hero. And he... [MORE]

Yosifon 

Mar 15, 2008 02:11

I thank the writer for the excellent review. I lambasted the Los Angeles Times in a letter for an inexcusable... [MORE]

Jonathan Eddison 

Mar 14, 2008 21:33

I know something about WW II and I take Human Smoke seriously . I am certain that I will not... [MORE]

Robert Birnbaum 

Mar 14, 2008 10:21

I applaud the author's debunking of Human Smoke. Nicholson Baker seems to have a poor grasp of history in that... [MORE]

Ken Dobler 

Mar 14, 2008 08:43

Sustainable peace is one of those ideals history has failed to deliver. War is a constant and regular feature of... [MORE]

Robert Landbeck 

Mar 13, 2008 14:41

'Smoke' appears to be a shameless shower of venality. Sensationalism at all costs and The L.A. Times is interested only in... [MORE]

Patrick 

Mar 13, 2008 13:44

An excellent review: Mr. Kirsch has put trash in its proper place. The notion, however, that Allied bombing of Germany... [MORE]

Aaron Krishtalka 

Mar 13, 2008 13:00

Aaron, I think you're right about the importance of the strategic bombing campaign for destroying the Luftwaffe. In that sense,... [MORE]

Kent G. Budge 

Mar 20, 2008 15:08

>> I can't say I know the answer, though I wonder if directed attacks against the fuel infrastructure wouldn't have... [MORE]

Noisesome 

Mar 25, 2008 09:55

Gosh, who ever would have guessed that there was a question about "the continuing centrality of World War II in... [MORE]

Michael Anderson 

Mar 13, 2008 12:17

Excellent review of a book that clearly tries to be important but fails mightily. War is not, in and of... [MORE]

Gray Rinehart 

Mar 13, 2008 09:07

What has happened to publishing? Books about the Nazis as well-meaning chaps; books about China sailing to America in the 15th... [MORE]

Scott Oxon 

Mar 13, 2008 07:29

Was you there? I have vivid memories of being thrown into the air raid shelter, of ducking behind gravestones to... [MORE]

Alan Lea 

Mar 13, 2008 03:09

This kind of 'book' - a mere sensationalist assemblage of disconnected oddments - can only appeal to those with no... [MORE]

Paul Perry 

Mar 13, 2008 01:07

My father volunteered for Army Service at the start of WWII. He served in all five European campaigns. Two bronze... [MORE]

Vance 

Mar 13, 2008 13:14

. . . especially as he volunteered in 1939. [MORE]

gilbo 

Mar 14, 2008 18:36

I hope no hapless young mind is ever exposed ot this self righteous ignoramus. I am afraid though that there... [MORE]

shriber 

Mar 12, 2008 23:48

The term "good war" was popularized by Chicago author Studs Terkel in his volume of that name, I believe.Of course,... [MORE]

Larry 

Mar 13, 2008 01:29

Terkel's 'good war' is probably Augustine's 'just war' [MORE]

tony o'brien 

Mar 13, 2008 05:40

As ever, what is left of the publishing business bobs for goodies in the culture potty. [MORE]

Russ Thayer 

Mar 13, 2008 08:57

After reading all the gushing comments in Amazon about this book your review came as breath of fresh air. [MORE]

andrew 

Mar 12, 2008 11:12

I have just begun reading this book but I can already see that you have missed an important point in... [MORE]

rhbee 

Mar 12, 2008 10:36

Your review points out one of the fundamental problems, growing over the last 30 years or so, namely, that in... [MORE]

Brian Switzer 

Mar 13, 2008 08:52

"stories, quotes and dates" are useless without context. I could quote the president of Iran's assertion that there is not...

MEB 

Mar 13, 2008 11:57

this one have only read the review. If you're are really going to question the value of someone's work then... [MORE]

rhbee 

Mar 13, 2008 21:09