Why We Fought: Forging American Obligations in World War II - Rilegato

Westbrook, Robert B.

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 1588341305 ISBN 13: 9781588341303

Casa editrice: Smithsonian Inst Pr, 2004

Riassunto

Why We Fought is a timely and provocative analysis that examines why Americans really chose to sacrifice and commit themselves to World War II. Unlike other depictions of the patriotic “greatest generation,” Westbrook argues that, strictly speaking, Americans in World War II were not instructed to fight, work, or die for their country—above all, they were moved by private obligations. Finding political theory in places such as pin-ups of Betty Grable, he contends that more often than not Americans were urged to wage war as fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, lovers, sons, daughters, and consumers, not as citizens. The thinness of their own citizenship contrasted sharply with the thicker political culture of the Japanese, which was regarded with condescending contempt and even occasionally wistful respect.

Why We Fought is a profound and skillful assessment of America's complex political beliefs and the peculiarities of its patriotism. While examining the history of American beliefs about war and citizenship, Westbrook casts a larger light on what it means to be an American, to be patriotic, and to willingly go to war.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Su questo libro

Informazioni sull?autore

Robert B. Westbrook, author of the highly acclaimed John Dewey and the American Democracy, teaches American history at the University of Rochester. He lives in Brockport, New York.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Dettagli dell?edizione

• Editore: Smithsonian Inst Pr
• Data di pubblicazione: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1588341305
• ISBN 13: 9781588341303
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Lingua: Inglese
• Numero di pagine: 151
• Contatto del produttore: non disponibile