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Americans are the most warlike people in modern history. His chief concern was profiteering by American business interests during time of war. Butler was in a position to understand how policy was disseminated, how it was pursued, who benefited and who paid the true costs of war.
Why. I would consider it to be a must read for any citizen. We don't think of ourselves as such, but it's true.
His book is short and to the point and without guile. Read this book to get a good notion of what the primary reasons for our militarism are. General Smedley Butler's book, written in 1935, is the ultimate verification of how big business has controlled the foreign policy of the United States in the past, as we can be certain it continues to do.
His recommendations on how to eliminate most wars would work as well today as during his time. He believed that a simple act of congress prohibiting exorbitant profits by American businesses that provide wartime materiel and services would suffice to eliminate all so called "unnecessary wars." Read this small book, think about what Butler says, and compare his testimony to what we have just witnessed in Iraq and you cannot help but see the ominous repeating pattern that underlies our countries continual need to wage yet another patriotic war to "preserve freedom." "Everybody's crying peace on Earth, just as soon as we win this war." - Mose Allison
Unfortunately, Parfrey's politically-timed inserts also detracted from the impassioned words and thoughts of a respected, historical Marine Corps icon. He deftly combined his well-informed analysis of current events with his beliefs and appealed on a very personal level with his audiences.
Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler, who, after his retirement in 1931, with thirty-three years of service, became a prominent anti-interventionist public figure. This short book is primarily a collection of speeches and essays by the two-time Medal of Honor recipient and retired U.S.
After reading the book, I credit Butler with presenting compelling arguments in support of his interpretation of the Constitution and the intentions of our Founding Fathers. The book also includes some commentary from a modern anti-war proponent, and excerpts from a post-WWI anti-war picture booklet originally published in 1933.As a retired career Officer of U.S.
Marines, I was drawn to this book largely out of my respect for and curiosity about one of the most colorful legends of the Corps. The impassioned adversaries in today's typical partisan political debates would do themselves and our country a lot of good to study and learn from Butler's effective style.Published in 2003, (around the time of the beginning of the U.S.-led war in Iraq), the introduction and concluding remarks by Adam Parfrey were too blatantly focused on his anti-war agenda and diminished the credibility of what he said.
Butler's speeches and essays were far superior to the rest of the book's contents, and I would have rated the book a star higher with just Butler's material.
This puts a lot of things that are happening today in perspective. There has been a fight between freedom and tyranny for years. Fascists trying to take over the federal government in order to stop communism. Where does that sound familiar.
A must have, belongs to the library of any thinking citizen. It will inspire, and prove to be of value similar to works of Plato, Russeau, Voltaire, and Beech Stowe. There is not a single word of lie to it.
Very insightful book written by a man that would know what he is speaking of. It is a must read for everyone.
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