Dancing With The Stars finale
Missing in America Memorial
Madison Commencement
Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > August > 11 > Entry
Why America Fights…
I’m reading a fascinating new book about American wartime propaganda. WHY AMERICA FIGHTS - Patriotism and War Propaganda from the Philippines to Iraq (Oxford University Press) by Susan A. Brewer takes readers from the days of the Spanish American War (Remember the Maine?) right up to our present day.
This is amazing stuff. Citizens have gotten whipped into a frenzy over the years by what Donald Rumsfeld euphemistically described as “perception management.” This book contains numerous reproductions of wartime posters that are incredibly clever while also being weighted with the messages the propagandists were delivering.
Years ago I went to an estate sale. The fellow who had died was an avid collector of World War One vintage posters. Apparently he had collected them as a child in Philadelphia during the war. There were hundreds of them wrapped in plastic up in the attic. They were incredible. Most of them were priced between 50 and 100 dollars each. Some of them depicted monstrous German soldiers.
I have been kicking myself ever since for not buying one of them…
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By Raoul
August 12, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this
Vick, I have a book printed in 1886, about the Military History of Ohio. I found it in our attic a long time ago. Inside were propaganda posters that someone had glued into the book, depicting the evil Huns. They were WWI posters. I would love to show it to you sometime. It lists everyone who served in the military, where they served, under what command, etc., during the Civil War. You would get a kick out of the posters.By edo
August 12, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this
my grandfather fought with Pershing, my father fought with Patton, I fought with Westmoreland… my family can’t get along with anyone…By Alice
August 12, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
As an artist I’ve always appreciated old propaganda posters, as well as old advertisements, etc… at least back then the propaganda was somewhat limited - today it seems with all the technology and communication out there we are always marketed something. I wonder how a whole generation can even think for themselves at all and I am worried that one day they won’t.By Ice Bandit
August 12, 2009 8:24 AM | Link to this
Well Vick, even card carrying members of the Kumbayah crowd have gotta’ admit that war is the most successful idea in the entire history of man. Other phases of history, such as barbarism and slavery have came and went but war still lingers on. And as you read this, our enemies and our friends are preparing for the next conflagration to erupt, and erupt it will. The role of the propagandist in wartime is paramount, for war is not the time for loving neighbors, turning other cheeks or letting bygones be bygones. Using words and image, they must convey the message that the enemy is evil incarnate and we must not hestitate a second before eradicating them. Of course, after the armistice is signed, Americans start taking war brides. But this tome sounds like the one that would fit on the coffee table and provoke commentary and debate. Can’t wait to see it…..By irishguy
August 12, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
Vick, The D-Day Museum in New Orleans has a few interesting American and Japanese posters on display. FDR as a vampire was different.