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Lindqvist, Sven History of Bombing ISBN 13: 9781862074156

History of Bombing - Hardcover

 
9781862074156: History of Bombing
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On 1st November 1911, Lieutenant Cavarotti leaned out of the cockpit of his delicate aircraft and, holding a Haasen hand grenade, began one of the most devastating military tactics of the 20th century: aerial bombing. This is but one of the points of entry Lindqvist presents in this innovative history. Structuring the book in a way that re-enacts the disruptions of history caused by the advent of the bomb, Lindqvist offers his readers a series of ways into and paths through this re-examination of a century of war, looking at the fascinating histories behind the development of air power, bombs and the laws of war and international justice, demonstrating how the practices of two world wars were born of colonial warfare.

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Review:
Sven Lindqvist has acquired a reputation as an innovative writer with an unorthodox line in cultural histories, so expect the unexpected with A History of Bombing. Rather than a straightforward linear narrative, Lindqvist has divided the book into a labyrinth of 399 short sections that can be read in any number of orders. The author has established 22 entrances into the book and to follow the different themes you have to weave your way backward and forward through the text; if you get waylaid by another section en route you end up somewhere else entirely. The idea behind this structure is to demonstrate the chaos of history and the difficulties in navigating a coherent path through differing viewpoints and interpretations. As an intellectual conceit it might sound brilliant but the reality is somewhat different. Reading this book is like wading through treacle; it is demanding, time-consuming and ultimately frustrating. This is a pity, because had Lindqvist kept to a more conventional structure one suspects his arguments might have carried more weight. Lindqvist draws his material from both official and personal sources and his aim is to make clear the immorality of bombing. Unfortunately he is not always a reliable witness, as his desire to prove his case results in some important documentary omissions. His discussions of both the blanket bombing of Germany during the Second World War and the dropping of the atom bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki contain almost no reference to how events might have panned out had they not taken place and whether there might have been an even greater loss of life. For the reader with tenacity and perseverance there is a decent enough polemic to be found; for those who are looking for a more detailed and accessible history, Robin Neillands's The Bomber War is a far more rewarding read. --John Crace
Review:
'So comprehensive is Lindqvist’s investigation that it’s hard to imagine a more assiduous chronicler of the subject.' -- Publishing News

'Sven Lindqvist is not only a remarkable historian, he is also one of the best storytellers in the historical profession today' -- Joanna Bourke, Times Literary Supplement

‘He writes with infectious moral anger, and much humour and intelligence’ -- The Guardian

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  • PublisherGranta Books
  • Publication date2001
  • ISBN 10 1862074151
  • ISBN 13 9781862074156
  • BindingHardcover
  • Edition number1
  • Number of pages224
  • Rating

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Lindqvist, Sven
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ISBN 10: 1862074151 ISBN 13: 9781862074156
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