A Democracy at War: America's Fight at Home and Abroad in World War II / Edition 1

by William L. O'Neill

Overview

As America fought to defend democracy in Europe and Asia during World War II, its own democratic politics both aided and impeded the war effort at home and the military campaigns abroad. Now, in a broad-ranging social, political, military, and diplomatic history, William O’Neill reveals how the United States won its victory despite its reluctance to enter the war, and despite proceeding by costly half-measures even after committing to battle.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674197374
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	07/21/1998
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.25(d)

About the Author

William L. O’Neill was Professor of History, Rutgers University.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgments

1. Day of Infamy

2. America in 1941

3. The Lion and the Albatross: FDR and Lindy

4. The Force of Events

5. The Government Cannot Mobilize

6. Rout and Recovery

7. The People Are Willing

8. Operation Torch and the Great Debate over Strategy

9. The Sea of Dreams

10. The Politics of Sacrifice

11. Minorities and Women: The Democratic Failure

12. The Transformation of Everyday Life

13. Two Wars in the Pacific: Guadalcanal to Luzon

14. Air Power: The Democratic Delusion

15. The GI

16. Overlord

17. Victory in Europe

18. The War Winds Down at Home

19. The Destruction of Japan

20. The Reckoning

Notes Index

What People are Saying About This

World War II not only transformed the world but also revolutionized America. It fundamentally changed work and family life, race relations, the economy, and the federal government's view of its responsibilities. It is thus a cause for celebration that William O'Neill has brought his large gift for evocative narrative and shrewd analysis-as well as his affection for America's democratic culture-to such a pivotal period in American history.

Editorial Reviews

O’Neill has written, with passion and vivid clarity, a wide ranging social, cultural, political, military and diplomatic history which examines ‘how and why America won the war’ despite its late entry, cumbersome political system and debilitating prejudices… The result of this ambitious project is a grand synthesis which draws on many of the scholarly texts, biographies and memoirs generated by this momentous period, as well as contemporary media accounts and published correspondence… Written with warmth and humour, indignation and outrage, and with a profound affection for America’s democratic culture, O’Neill has produced an informative synthesis which raises important questions about American democracy and the relationship in it between popular opinion, electoral ambitions and policymaking.

Borderlines: Studies in American Culture - Dianne Kirby

An excellent book…perceptive and sensitive…bears resemblance to Tolstoy’s great novel War and Peace, not as literature but as a humane perspective that juxtaposes the average soldier who fights on bravely and stoically to generals and political leaders who make a mess of things.

New Leader - John Patrick Diggins

A distinct and splendid historical style… O’Neill writes with wit and clarity… He offers new and colorful treatment of such topics as immigration policy, women and the war, films and other entertainments, minorities, and labor relations. His chapter on ‘everyday life’ is a minor masterpiece in which he repeatedly captures a new trend in a pithy phrase.

George Q. Flynnn Historical Review

A grand and sensitive synthesis of what the war meant to an entire generation and of how unity, valor, and victory came only after a period of profound unpreparedness, confusion, and reluctance. O’Neill writes with vivid clarity.

Houston Chronicle - Douglas Brinkley

Bill O’Neill is a master storyteller, and this is his biggest story in his distinguished career. He makes it into his masterpiece. This is the best single volume on the American experience in World War II that I have read.

Stephen E. Ambrose

World War II not only transformed the world but also revolutionized America. It fundamentally changed work and family life, race relations, the economy, and the federal government’s view of its responsibilities. It is thus a cause for celebration that William O’Neill has brought his large gift for evocative narrative and shrewd analysis—as well as his affection for America’s democratic culture—to such a pivotal period in American history.

E. J. Dionne

A distinct and splendid historical style... O'Neill writes with wit and clarity... He offers new and colorful treatment of such topics as immigration policy, women and the war, films and other entertainments, minorities, and labor relations. His chapter on 'everyday life' is a minor masterpiece in which he repeatedly captures a new trend in a pithy phrase.--George Q. Flynn "American Historical Review"

A grand and sensitive synthesis of what the war meant to an entire generation and of how unity, valor, and victory came only after a period of profound unpreparedness, confusion, and reluctance. O'Neill writes with vivid clarity.--Douglas Brinkley "Houston Chronicle"

An excellent book...perceptive and sensitive...bears resemblance to Tolstoy's great novel War and Peace, not as literature but as a humane perspective that juxtaposes the average soldier who fights on bravely and stoically to generals and political leaders who make a mess of things.--John Patrick Diggins "New Leader"

O'Neill has written, with passion and vivid clarity, a wide ranging social, cultural, political, military and diplomatic history which examines 'how and why America won the war' despite its late entry, cumbersome political system and debilitating prejudices... The result of this ambitious project is a grand synthesis which draws on many of the scholarly texts, biographies and memoirs generated by this momentous period, as well as contemporary media accounts and published correspondence... Written with warmth and humour, indignation and outrage, and with a profound affection for America's democratic culture, O'Neill has produced an informative synthesis which raises important questions about American democracy and the relationship in it between popular opinion, electoral ambitions and policymaking.--Dianne Kirby "Borderlines: Studies in American Culture"

Bill O'Neill is a master storyteller, and this is his biggest story in his distinguished career. He makes it into his masterpiece. This is the best single volume on the American experience in World War II that I have read.--Stephen E. Ambrose, author of Nixon: The Triumph of a Politician, 1962-1972 and Nixon: Ruin and Recovery, 1973-1990

World War II not only transformed the world but also revolutionized America. It fundamentally changed work and family life, race relations, the economy, and the federal government's view of its responsibilities. It is thus a cause for celebration that William O'Neill has brought his large gift for evocative narrative and shrewd analysis--as well as his affection for America's democratic culture--to such a pivotal period in American history.--E. J. Dionne, Jr., author of Why Americans Hate Politics

From the Publisher

A distinct and splendid historical style… O’Neill writes with wit and clarity… He offers new and colorful treatment of such topics as immigration policy, women and the war, films and other entertainments, minorities, and labor relations. His chapter on ‘everyday life’ is a minor masterpiece in which he repeatedly captures a new trend in a pithy phrase.

American Historical Review - George Q. Flynn