The history of those who shed those other tears, the history of those anonymous millions, is what Terkel wants readers and listeners to come away with. What's it like to be that goofy little soldier, scared stiff, with his bayonet aimed at Christ? What's it like to have been a woman in a defense-plant job during World War II? What's it like to be a kid at the front lines? It's all funny and tragic at the same time.
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Sometime they'll give a war and nobody will come.
Sometime they'll give a war and nobody will come.
Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those read more
Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.
In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign.... Secondly, a read more
In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign.... Secondly, a just cause.... Thirdly ... a rightful intention.
Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That read more
Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.
If I am asked what we are fighting for, I can reply in two
sentences. In the first place, read more
If I am asked what we are fighting for, I can reply in two
sentences. In the first place, to fulfil a solemn international
obligation . . . an obligation of honor which no self-respecting
man could possibly have repudiated. I say, secondly, we are
fighting to vindicate the principle that small nationalities are
not to be crushed in defiance of international good faith at the
arbitrary will of a strong and overmastering Power.
In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.
In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.
Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore read more
Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
They shall not pass till the stars be darkened:
Two swords crossed in front of the Hun;
read more
They shall not pass till the stars be darkened:
Two swords crossed in front of the Hun;
Never a groan but God has harkened,
Counting their cruelties one by one.
There was never a good war, or a bad peace.
There was never a good war, or a bad peace.
