A review by davehershey
Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945 by Max Hastings
5.0
This is a fantastic history of World War II. Whether you can't remember what you learned in history class and aren't even sure who fought, or if you're a fan of history and know loads of details, this one could be for you!
A lot struck me about this story, and much of it I already knew but found myself with a new appreciation for the depths of it. For example, I knew that Russia was the big roadblock to Germany and that Stalin's armies did much more to stop the Nazis than we Americans did. But it hit me anew how Russia stood alone, more or less, against the Nazis for a couple of years while America built up their forces. Along with that, I knew Stalin was a bad guy. But the realities of having to ally with Stalin and ignore some of his evil acts in order to win the war struck me anew. That may be the biggest question I take away, what does it look like to be allies with unscrupulous people? How much should the US work together with Russia, even allow them to take the lead, in fighting ISIS? (Kind of ironic how much Russia is in the news the last few days as I finished this.)
Of course, it is not like we Americans were good and pure. This too I knew but was struck by. We like to think we are the good guys fighting evil, but how did it sound to oppressed African-Americans to hear our government talk about liberation? How hypocritical were we to judge others for their actions against minorities in their countries and to act as we have in our country in dark moments in our history? Clearly America and Britain were better winners for the world and history than the Nazis would have been. But this does not erase our flaws.
Finally, it is amazing that early in the book the author talks of how the war was decided. There were hundreds of pages, years of fighting and millions of deaths to have. But when Germany was stopped in Russia and when Japan was slowed in the Pacific, the end was a foregone conclusion. Yes it is easy to admit that now, but even some of Hitler's generals saw it then. How many lives were wasted continuing the fight long past when the result became even more certain?
Overall, a great book.
A lot struck me about this story, and much of it I already knew but found myself with a new appreciation for the depths of it. For example, I knew that Russia was the big roadblock to Germany and that Stalin's armies did much more to stop the Nazis than we Americans did. But it hit me anew how Russia stood alone, more or less, against the Nazis for a couple of years while America built up their forces. Along with that, I knew Stalin was a bad guy. But the realities of having to ally with Stalin and ignore some of his evil acts in order to win the war struck me anew. That may be the biggest question I take away, what does it look like to be allies with unscrupulous people? How much should the US work together with Russia, even allow them to take the lead, in fighting ISIS? (Kind of ironic how much Russia is in the news the last few days as I finished this.)
Of course, it is not like we Americans were good and pure. This too I knew but was struck by. We like to think we are the good guys fighting evil, but how did it sound to oppressed African-Americans to hear our government talk about liberation? How hypocritical were we to judge others for their actions against minorities in their countries and to act as we have in our country in dark moments in our history? Clearly America and Britain were better winners for the world and history than the Nazis would have been. But this does not erase our flaws.
Finally, it is amazing that early in the book the author talks of how the war was decided. There were hundreds of pages, years of fighting and millions of deaths to have. But when Germany was stopped in Russia and when Japan was slowed in the Pacific, the end was a foregone conclusion. Yes it is easy to admit that now, but even some of Hitler's generals saw it then. How many lives were wasted continuing the fight long past when the result became even more certain?
Overall, a great book.