Finished Flag of our Fathers and am now reading Birth of the Modern by Paul Johnson. Only have read excerpts of Mr. Johnson's more famous Modern Times. This (Birth...) is one of the free books I got at the school library.
Contemplating the death sentence of Saddam Hussein....Is this a case where as long as he is alive and imprisoned in Iraq (once the US leaves) there is the risk of his supporters (or the Sunnis in general) trying to free him and put him back in power to 1. restore order, and 2. to wrest power from the Shiites? I am not sure this risk is real as I don't know the political situation on the ground (other than it being not too good). Yet when I see our President using Hussein's death sentence as a rallying quip on the campaign trail, it really irks me.
Let's not forgot this is still November...
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
7 comments:
What did you think of Flag of Our Fathers?
Dear Mr. Curley,
I just finished my 10-year read of Birth of the Modern. Now I just wish I'd taken notes while reading! Guess I'll have to read it again :-)
Cheers -
Bill
TS-After starting "Flags" I realized the book I bought was the one adapted for 'young readers'(Jr. High & High School). Of course this makes sense as I bought it at the high school book fair. Thus I am sure I didn't get the full treatment. However, that said, I did notice 2 things in particular which I have also noticed (maybe not firsthand, but...): 1. War is hell. We often picture WWII as John Wayne or Errol Flynn movies. Thus many vets of WWII had problems readjusting to regular life (like Ira Hayes.) Which leads to #2) that many WWII vets don't really ever talk about their part in WWII. My Dad was in WWII, but he did not see action, even though he signed up right a the beginning, so he told many stories. But most men I have talked to who saw action don't talk a whole lot about it-only if prodded. Supporting the conclusion that war is Hell.
Finally, I did not understand the impact the photo made on America. I can't imagine (and maybe this is a big thing) a photo having such legs today.
Bill-I hope it doesn't take me 10 years to finish-but good to know it is worth reading and finishing.
Yeah the movie really brought home the "war is hell" motif also.
Say, I thought I won a free book. :-( My mailbox doth not runneth over, making me sad.
TS-Release is next week-I am awaiting shipment anxiously. Jim
Oh okay - no hurry. You're a busy guy so forgive my impatience!
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