Leaving World War II Behind

by David Swanson

This book documents the case that World War II happened in such a different world that it has little relevance to today's foreign policy, as well as the case that U.S. participation in WWII was not justifiable. Specifically, WWII was not fought to rescue anyone from persecution, was not necessary for defense, was the most damaging and destructive event yet to occur, and would not have happened had any one of these factors been World War I, the manner in which WWI was ended, U.S. funding and arming of Nazis, a U.S. arms race with Japan, U.S. development of racial segregation, U.S. development of eugenics, U.S. development of genocide and ethnic cleansing, or the U.S. and British prioritization of opposing the Soviet Union at all costs. The author corrects numerous misconceptions about the most popular and misunderstood war in western culture, in order to build a case for moving to a world beyond war.

Genres: History

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2020

About the author

David Swanson is a freelance travel writer and photographer.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kristin Dwelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about the US and even California is responsible for the rise of Nazism. Reading this book has resulted in new outlooks on current events, especially the war in Ukraine.

[Herb Hastings · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem reading this book is that sometimes the smug gets so free flowing it drips into your lap.

That was a rude way to start this review and I apologize.
The author is a fervent pacifist which undercuts the value of his historical conclusions. He makes a few good points questing the motives of the Allies then launches into the fantasy world of Hitler being brought down by the "powerful tools of nonviolence". His belief that World War II ending the Holocaust doesn't count because there were powerful anti-Semites in the USA and Britain. The author discounts the fact that the war, for all its shortcomings as a "just War", without it European Jewry would have been expunged.
The world would be a better, happier place if the author's dream of a war free planet, united by brotherly love were to come to fruition. Sadly, I can't see moral suasion defeating well armed hatred anytime soon.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many years, even after I no longer believed WWII was the "Good War", I continued to believe it was one of very few "necessary wars." By the time I picked up this book, I was well into questioning that as well. By no means could WWII be considered a "success" and I had a growing sense that it was not fought for any of the reasons that are currently trotted out. This book put several nails in that coffin; I wish it had been around to read a couple of decades ago. (Or even more.) Provides tons of evidence that WWII was neither good nor necessary nor inevitable, no matter how you look at it. And hopefully, this principle will continue to convince others that war in general isn't good, necessary, or inevitable. Humanity's flourishing - even its continued existence depends on it.

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely incredible. I consider myself pretty well versed in political history and Mr Swanson never stopped surprising me with interesting and important facts. This book should be required required reading in US High Schools. Just a really astounding testament about the enormous costs of war in general and how asinine it is that to this day we still hear WWII and the events therein being used as a justification for even more war. Thank you so much for this book.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most excellent book amongst many erudite and compelling books by this author. David Swanson has a way of turning around the arguments for inevitable war and making them sound ridiculous. Leaving WW 2 behind answers convincingly the question ‘But what about Hitler?’