The War: An Intimate History, 1941-1945
by Geoffrey C. Ward, Ken Burns
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Book Reviews of The War: An Intimate History, 1941-1945
Book Review: A Landmark Work All Should Read
Summary: 5 Stars
It was as if Ken Burns work on Baseball and The Civil War were almost warmups for this ambitious project, both the documentary and the companion book. This book "speaks" to the reader in a way few such works ever do, engaging and encompassing in a way that eases one into the most tragic period in human history. It is easy to start thinking of the men and women profiled as old friends, distant relatives, neighbors down the street, your buddy's older brother and your aunt's friend from church, and that is exactly who they are. By focusing on the individual, the family, the neighborhood and the town the bigger picture of the war becomes less overwhelming yet more real and terrifying. A liberal dose of well-placed and poignant photographs add yet another layer of depth to the stories in the book. The writing is warm yet factual and straightforward. See the documentary first and then read the book, just the opposite advice I would give for most film/book combinations. The book, like the war and the documentary, is an epic and rising through the unimaginable and unspeakable tragedy of it all, comes a faith and hope about the best in humanity. A definite library keeper and a work that should be required reading in every high school history class in America.
Steven Bustin, Author: Humble Heroes, How The USS Nashville CL43 Fought WWII. Humble Heroes: How the USS Nashville CL43 Fought WWII
Book Review: Top Notch! Great on it's own, or as companion to the series
Summary: 5 Stars
What sets this book apart from most personal accounts of WW2 is the brutal frankness with which it goes in to detail about the cruelty and the horrors of the war.
Unlike so many other history books which sanitize war for our delicate senses, this book has made a brave gesture by giving us an honest glimpse of the often gruesome, terrible events that our fellow Americans went through...including exposing their own in-humanity towards our enemies, which is something we don't often hear too much about in this country. The victors usually paint themselves as puritans, lest they be judged the equal of the vanquished.
But the point of Burns book is not to vilify our country, or certain individuals (brutality and unimaginable cruelty were not foreign to either side), but rather Burns seeks to make the point that ALL wars are barbaric. And even when wars have to be fought (as WW2 truly did), it is important for those who were lucky enough NOT to have had to experience the horrors of the war, to at least understand a little bit better what was asked of the ones who did. It was a LOT to ask.
With his "no-holds-barred" approach to this documentary, Burns has given us fresh insight in to what those who fought in the war already know, as a result of their experiences in seeing humanity at it's worst;
War should be avoided by the greatest of efforts, whenever possible.
Book Review: "The War" and Ken Burns endorsement of "Finding a Fallen Hero"
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a big fan of the works of Ken Burns. I am so pleased that Ken Burns set his sights on World War II. Those that participated and survived and those who waited for them at home are leaving us daily. His bottoms up view of WWII helps us appreciate that our parents and grandparents were the heros of that war. The served selflessly. Their stories are important to tell. They made up the fabric of America. To honor them by remembering what they did is important to our history. Please consider visiting the Veterans History Project website and honoring your loved one.
Please make the effort to honor and remember the stories of those WWII Americans still alive and those fallen heroes who did not return. Mr. Burns' book tells the stories of ordinary Americans. I highly recommend this book!
Sincerely,
Bob Korkuc, author Finding a Fallen Hero: The Death of a Ball Turret Gunner
Book Review: Powerful, Moving and Informative look at WWII Through the Eyes of Those who were There
Summary: 5 Stars
Ken Burns and Geoffrey Ward have done it again with "The War." This handsome companion volume to the acclaimed PBS mini-series is a testament to the people who served, witnessed, and lived through World War II- both in Europe and the Pacific. Burns focuses, in particular, on the people of four diverse American cities and how their lives intersected with the War.
Included in this survey are firsthand accounts from soldiers, civilians, prisoners of war, and people back on the homefront. This over-sized companion volume is an excellent supplement, complete with a well-written prose narrative; ample full-color and b & w photos, maps and diagrams. Ward and Burns adeptly tie the powerful individual stories of those who were there into the greater historical narrative of the major events and turning points in the war.
This volume is a must-have for anyone interested in history, or in the stories of those who lived through it. Highly recommended!
Book Review: An outstanding book on a tragic subject
Summary: 5 Stars
Without any doubt, The War: An Intimate History, 1941-1945 by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns is a worthwhile read in and of itself. That the book is a companion to one of Burns' documentaries is even better. Like other reviewers I am a huge fan of Ward and Burns having purchased and read the companions to the Jazz and Baseball programs.
The War is organized roughly chronologically. It focuses on four towns and four families and four veterans and tells the story of the war through their stories. There are interesting explorations of ancillary subjects, but the book always comes back to the same pattern.
Written for the average person, The War is sure to add to the pleasure of the television program. I have it on my lap while I'm watching The War on television.
This is a worthy addition to your personal libraries.