The Myth of the Good War

Jacques Pauwels is hands down one of the most important historians writing today. His work combines profound erudition with pristine clarity. He has a unique ability to channel his expansive historical knowledge into pedagogical narratives that carefully walk the reader through extremely complex historical developments. The result is, quite simply, a series of the best books on modern and contemporary history that can—and should!—be read by both specialists and complete novices. Moreover, his commitment to the tradition of what Domenico Losurdo referred to as “counter-history” leads his readers through the looking glass, so to speak. Instead of the hackneyed stories peddled by the mainstream media and educational institutions, he delivers to his readers truly insightful, and sometimes surprising, accounts of what actually happened. His books are thus real page turners that are enthralling to read and amenable to a very large audience. I regularly teach his work and recommend it to students, professors and other interested parties. I have only heard praise of his work from those to whom I’ve recommended it.

 

"The Myth of the Good War breaks through the propaganda of World War II as portrayed in standard US history books and various Hollywood movies . . . Pauwels uses historical facts and analysis to unmask profiteering by US firms in support of the Nazi war machine. He exposes the humanitarian disaster of the massive bombing of civilian targets in Germany. And he lays out the deliberate delay of the invasion of France by the Allies in order to extend the war in the Eastern Frontthereby exhausting both Germany and Russia and resulting in millions of unnecessary deaths . . . Each year [my students would vote The Myth of the Good War as the best book of the semester. I plan to continue to use the new revised edition in my classes and encourage people everywhere to read and understand this important historical work."