The Bombed. By Richard Overy, Reviewer, Adam Tooze. I loved it because I have a genuine interest in the Second World War. It's interesting to see that here is someone who claims we were not easily going to bring down German production and thus not achieve a quicker Victory since they were in so many words able to keep up with us .
I wonder if his vision is too narrow because he concentrated on the Nazi production and point of view in his study and did not consider other factors such as the Axis lack of assembly line production as developed by Knudson in the United States, or our ability to control the sea lanes and take down the Nazi submarines with the Colossus computer and the breaking of the German code. The destruction of the Nazi airforce in Africa the first front, and Nazi inability to reinforce the equipment and supplies to the troops there, all has to be considered. This demoralized them, they had to withdraw to stage their battle in Italy where they had an easier time reinforcing troops and supplies.
Once again, the Allies pounded the Axis back ,back ,back ,until they had to withdraw from Rome, using the scorched earth program as they left, thus hoping to stop us from getting supplies and equipment. Naturally not being a scholar of these events my opinion could be wrong, but it does have merit. No one can dispute the production of the United States during the Second World War, it was staggering! From my reading of Trilogy of the Second World War , Richard Atkinson, I find Overy hard to believe, but then again, I am an amateur at this.
I also loved the review on The Kennan Diaries, by Frank Costigliola, reviewed by Edwin Yoder. One paragraph stood out describing Kennan wanting to start a "party of criticism" to maintain a critique of American political follies. What a good idea!
Each book review in Saturday's paper was interesting. If you have a chance to read them on line or at the library , plan to relax and enjoy. I saved my pages for bedtime and was so excited after finishing I had to immediately write about it.
The New York Times , today, Sunday had a couple of the same books in review.
The New York Times , today, Sunday had a couple of the same books in review.
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