I was going to use that quote, I actually have in the past, but decided on the Vera Brittain quote for continuity.
short collective memory
Sums up humans pretty well...I mean think about what happened back in 202/21...and people have let it go, gone back to their old ways as if those lessons never happened.
I'm glad you saw this, have you read the book? I mean, I have read thousands of books on war and this is the only book I have read that comes from the other perspective. As I say, it challenges deep-seated understandings and I like that. It's also interesting to feel her pain at seeing her fellow, (Roland Leighton) go to war, how difficult that time was and how that strengthened her resolve to do something herself - The battlefield nurse thing. Interestingly, she was, for a time, set in a ward treating German officers...the same people who fiancé and brother Edward were trying to kill. It's worth a read.
I think conflict is the human condition
Well said and I agree. I'm looking forward to your post, sounds interesting.
I was a bit obsessed with the American Civil War growing up, the fact that Lee would say that after a victory was the first real inkling I had that warfare was not all guts and glory.
I've heard of it but never read it, will have to give it a read. Read plenty of others on 'The War to End All Wars,' but I blame Metallica for my first run in with the other perspective, One made me read Johnny Got His Gun. Took a seminar course at the university on anti-war movements and it cause of considerable contemplation and reflection. Had two professors, one was a conscientious objector from the Vietnam War and the other had led teach-ins at Berkeley during the same time period, and they got into the philosophies underlying the movements as well.
Thank you, I'd been a bit stuck on it but our little discussion has broken that loose a bit I think.
The guts and glory paradigm is an easy one for people to fall into, just as it's easy for people to think/assume that people who go to war are terrible people, warmongers and cruel; that's just not the case.
I believe people need perspective but often close themselves to it. The phrase, I hate war, is a common phrase but true understanding comes from a better and broader knowledge; luckily, these days, one doesn't need to experience it to gain that knowledge. People are people though, and will always champion their own cause, not unlike Vera Brittain, or any vegan screaming at a meat eater - I just like to gain a clearer perspective.
There's many books out there that can offer a person perspective on this matter, war, but most will never take them up and read...they're too closed or focused on their agenda, ideals and beliefs to discover some additional facts...that might challenge those agendas, ideals and beliefs.
I've not read, The War to End All Wars...I must though, been meaning to for a long time. So many books, so little time.
You're welcome, sometimes one must be shaken up a little, or just poked in the ribs.