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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Before a war military science seems a real science, like astronomy; but after a war it seems more like astrology.
Before a war military science seems a real science, like astronomy; but after a war it seems more like astrology.
Let who will boast their courage in the field,
I find but little safety from my shield,
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Let who will boast their courage in the field,
I find but little safety from my shield,
Nature's, not honour's law we must obey:
This made me cast my useless shield away.
Traditional nationalism cannot survive the fissioning of the atom. One world or none.
Traditional nationalism cannot survive the fissioning of the atom. One world or none.
The grim fact is that we prepare for war like precocious giants, and for peace like retarded pygmies.
The grim fact is that we prepare for war like precocious giants, and for peace like retarded pygmies.
It would be superfluous in me to point out to your Lordship that
this is war.
It would be superfluous in me to point out to your Lordship that
this is war.
She is a wall of brass;
You shall not pass! You shall not pass!
Spring up like read more
She is a wall of brass;
You shall not pass! You shall not pass!
Spring up like Summer grass,
Surge at her, mass on mass,
Still shall you break like glass,
Splinter and break like shivered glass,
But pass?
You shall not pass!
Wars are caused by undefended wealth.
Wars are caused by undefended wealth.
They shall not pass till the stars be darkened:
Two swords crossed in front of the Hun;
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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.
