War is not merely a political act but a real political instrument, a continuation of political intercourse, a carrying out read more

War is not merely a political act but a real political instrument, a continuation of political intercourse, a carrying out of the same by other means.

The history of those who shed those other tears, the history of those anonymous millions, is what Terkel wants readers read more

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.

The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. •Hyman Rickover A prisoner of war read more

The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. •Hyman Rickover A prisoner of war is a man who tries to kill you and fails, and then asks you not to kill him. •Sir Winston Churchill The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can and as often as you can, and keep moving on.

Man has no right to kill his brother. It is no excuse that he does so in uniform: he only read more

Man has no right to kill his brother. It is no excuse that he does so in uniform: he only adds the infamy of servitude to the crime of murder.

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.

Where is it written in the Constitution that you may take children from their parents, and parents from their children, read more

Where is it written in the Constitution that you may take children from their parents, and parents from their children, and compel them to fight the battles of any war in which the folly or wickedness of government may engage it?

'Twas in Trafalgar's bay
The saucy Frenchmen lay.

'Twas in Trafalgar's bay
The saucy Frenchmen lay.

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.

War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior read more

War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.