The War Lovers
Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the Rush to Empire, 1898
by Evan Thomas
In The War Lovers, Evan Thomas examines three
men who loved war so much they would do almost anything to have
one. These men, all wealthy Harvard graduates, could not live unless
they had faced some form of combat, either by starting the battle
or fighting in it.
One of those who wished to fight in a war was Theodore Roosevelt.
It was not a matter of proving himself courageous. Hefd done
that over and over in his western adventures. His was a matter of
shame. His father had bought his way out of the Civil War, a common
custom for wealthy men of the time. Young Theodore was deeply ashamed
of what he perceived as his fatherfs cowardice. Only his service
in combat could redeem the familyfs good name.
With his friend, Henry Cabot Lodge, it was a political move to reunite
North and South after the Civil War. William Randolph Hearst, on
the other hand, needed the kind of world events that could bring
his newspaper out of the red ink. A war would fill the bill nicely.
What makes people so fond of war? Most fight only when the warmongers
drag them into battle. Others are so enamored of conflict, they
will start a fight if none exists. The War Lovers
examines these men to see what drove them to start the Spanish-American
War. Well written by a veteran journalist, The War Lovers
attempts to explain why many people find war so alluring that
they seemingly will avoid peace at all costs. Though they say itfs
for the country's well-being, it seldom is. It is often just
an excuse to get a fight going for self gain or gratification. Read
The War Lovers. You will find it very educational!
|
The
Book |
Hachette Audio Books |
April 27, 2010 |
Audiobook
/Unabridged Audio CD/ 12 CDs |
1607882043 / 978-1607882046 |
History / |
More
at Amazon.com |
Excerpt |
NOTE: Contains violence, profanity |
The
Reviewer |
Jo
Rogers |
Reviewed 2010 |
NOTE: |
|