Hanson has emerged in my mind as one of the best political commentators since George Will. His phenomenal knowledge of the history of Western civilization and its military actions brings great breadth and depth to his observations of current affairs. His lifelong connection to the farmers soil gives him a far more realistic and credible world view than the academic elite from which he frequently tries to distance himself (a remarkable feat for a Professor of Classics). This book is a compilation of essays written during the three months after the September 2001 terrorist attacks. I fully expected that there would be dated material and some degree of redundancy, since they appeared originally in different venues. Neither fear was realized. His reliance on universal patterns of human behavior makes these commentaries even more relevant today, after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, than they were at the time they were written. I could find no instance where his predictions about either Administration actions or military and political outcomes did not come to pass. His writing style is very clear and flows easily. His frequent allusions to military battles over the past two millennia may leave some readers with a feeling that he is being pedantic. But his sense of humor and bluntly stated (often politically incorrect) opinions make the readers experience a joy.
Anyone familiar with the writing of Victor Davis Hanson, a professor of classics and journalist, knows his views on the subject of this book. He is a passionate defender of American greatness, hates the tyrants of the world with all his soul and has nothing but scorn for the appeasers and bashers of America among the intellectual elite. All these views are well amplified in this book, a collection of essays published, mainly in National Review Online, between September 12 and December 31, 2001. The topics are far ranging and the tones of the essays vary considerably. In many, Hanson writes with an eloquent passion in defense of Western civilization and Western values. Indeed, his words may be called Churchillian. (One essay is entitled "What Would Churchill Say" and liberally quotes the great man.) In other essays, Hanson envokes important military figures from the past such as Sherman to demonstrate his view that the great Western nations go to war reluctantly but with an unrelenting savage fury. Other essays are satirical in tone including one in which he imagines the modern media covering the Doolittle raid on Tokyo. The most inventive essay is one in which he conducts an "interview" with Thucydides, the great chronicler of the Peloponesian War by interposing questions about the war on Islamic fascism with actual quotations (complete with citations) from Thucydides himself. Hanson is no lightweight pundit. The man is a brilliant scholar filled with passionate yet truthful opinions. He amply supports those opinions through the exploration of history. This excellent book is a welcome antidote to the venom produced by the left and the pablum produced by most of our punditocracy. Hanson fills me with pride in being an American. His writing is never jingoistic but always passionate and patriotic. If you feel pessimistic and think maybe Americas day has passed, read this book. It will make you feel better.
Victor Davis Hanson combines the historical perspective of the scholar with the practical, down to earth experiences of the common man. [Hes a classical historian and a farmer.] The result is a narrative that "rings true." His book helped me come to terms with what is happening in our world because I understand better the thinking and motivations of the players. He answers the questions - why is terrorism happening?, and why are we doing what were doing to defeat it? He gave me a clearer understanding of the beliefs of the Islamic Fundamentalist Fascists, what is at stake for our society and why we need to protect and defend our way of life. He also reminded me of the goodness in our country - of the values including: integrity, moral courage, fairness, respect, responsibility, compassion which we hold dear. While our country isnt perfect, he again reminded me that theres no place else I would want to live. I shared his book with members of a book club I belong to, and one person said, "If the administration had made the case for defending ourselves like Mr. Hanson did, I would have had a greater understanding and appreciation for the actions our country has taken since 9/11." I purchased a second copy of this book so I could pass it around to book club members, church members and friends. It is truly an OUTSTANDING book!!!!!
