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War Games

Submitted by Ken Dobler, Mar 14, 2008 08:43

I applaud the author's debunking of Human Smoke. Nicholson Baker seems to have a poor grasp of history in that he forgets who the aggressors were in WW2. His portrayal of Churchill is at odds with both his actions through the war and his private memoirs and letters to Clementine. Churchill was portrayed as a warmonger by his adversaries (some of whom were members of Britains Nazi establishment) for daring to expose Germany's huge munitions build up before the war and the folly of the policy of appeasement. If Churchill's advice in maintaining a strong defensive force prior to WW2 had been followed the war may have been averted.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
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...	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... [MORE]	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