The Illusion Of Victory: America In World War IBasic Books, 2008 M08 5 - 352 pages The political history of the American experience in World War I is a story of conflict and bungled intentions that begins in an era dedicated to progressive social reform and ends in the Red Scare and Prohibition. Thomas Fleming tells this story through the complex figure of Woodrow Wilson, the contradictory president who wept after declaring war, devastated because he knew it would destroy the tolerance of the American people, but who then suppressed freedom of speech and used propaganda to excite America into a Hun-hating mob. This is tragic history: inexperienced American military leaders drove their troops into gruesome slaughters; progressive politics were put on hold in America; an idealistic president's dreams were crushed because of his own negligence. Wilson's inability to convince Congress to ratify U.S. membership in the League of Nations was one of the most poignant failures in the history of the American presidency, but even more heartrending were Wilson's concessions to his bitter allies in the Treaty of Versailles. In exchange for Allied support of the League of Nations, he allowed an unfair peace treaty to be signed, a treaty that played no small role in the rise of National Socialism and the outbreak of World War II. Thomas Fleming has once again created a masterpiece of narrative American history. This incomparable portrait shows how Wilson sacrificed his noble vision to megalomania and single-mindedness, while paying homage to him as a visionary whose honorable spirit continues to influence Western politics. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 69
Page ix
... Russian and European history have been invaluable. Also in the front rank of my researchers is Steven Bernstein, who helped explore numerous sources in Washington, D.C., and F. Kennon Moody, whose knowledge of the Franklin D. Roosevelt ...
... Russian and European history have been invaluable. Also in the front rank of my researchers is Steven Bernstein, who helped explore numerous sources in Washington, D.C., and F. Kennon Moody, whose knowledge of the Franklin D. Roosevelt ...
Page 5
... Russia. On March 15, 1917, a liberal majority in the Russian parliament had deposed Czar Nicholas Romanoff and announced their intention to create a democratic government. Pro-war newspapers and magazines in the United States had hailed ...
... Russia. On March 15, 1917, a liberal majority in the Russian parliament had deposed Czar Nicholas Romanoff and announced their intention to create a democratic government. Pro-war newspapers and magazines in the United States had hailed ...
Page 19
... Russia.”That nation, he maintained, had always “been democratic at heart.”The autocracy that ran the country was an aberration, not even Russian in origin. Now Russia had become a fit partner for a “League of Honor.” Returning to ...
... Russia.”That nation, he maintained, had always “been democratic at heart.”The autocracy that ran the country was an aberration, not even Russian in origin. Now Russia had become a fit partner for a “League of Honor.” Returning to ...
Page 24
... Russians cheering the news, was stark.44 There was some mild interest in a New York Times story about a hearing before the New York State Senate in Albany to resolve a dispute between Mayor John Purroy Mitchel of New York City and State ...
... Russians cheering the news, was stark.44 There was some mild interest in a New York Times story about a hearing before the New York State Senate in Albany to resolve a dispute between Mayor John Purroy Mitchel of New York City and State ...
Page 29
... Russia were winning the war.59 Elsewhere in the United States, officials and ordinary citizens braced themselves for a wave of German sabotage. In New York, the police com- missioner mobilized no less than 12,000 men equipped with ...
... Russia were winning the war.59 Elsewhere in the United States, officials and ordinary citizens braced themselves for a wave of German sabotage. In New York, the police com- missioner mobilized no less than 12,000 men equipped with ...
Contents
1 | |
Big Lies Greed and Other Hoary Animals | 43 |
Enlisting Volunteers and Other Unlikely Events | 85 |
Creeling and Other Activities That Make Philip Dru Unhappy | 117 |
Seeds of the Apocalypse | 159 |
The Women of NoMansLand | 199 |
Politics Is Adjourned HaHaHa | 237 |
Fights to the Finish | 265 |
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Common terms and phrases
added Allies American army asked attack Baker became began British called claimed Clemenceau Colonel House commander Committee conference Congress decided demanded Democratic Department Division Edith election England Europe fight final Follette force foreign former four France French front gave German give going guns hand head Henry hope Ibid idea Irish issue Italy joined later leader League League of Nations letter Lloyd George Lodge major March meeting military million minister months needed never newspapers officers ordered Paris Party peace Pershing political president president’s refused reported Republican Roosevelt Russian Secretary seemed Senator sent ship signed soldiers soon speech staff statement tell things thought tion told took train treaty tried Tumulty turned United urged vote wanted Washington White House Woodrow Wilson wrote York