We Who Dared to Say No to War

Starred review from September 8, 2008
This history of America in anti-war writing, "coedited by a man of the left (Polner) and a man of the right (Woods)," is an insightful, relevant and varied collection that mines a strong tradition of American protest and principle. Covering the War of 1812 through "Iraq and the War on Terror," the editors provide a brief background essay for each before ceding the page to essays, interviews, letters, poems and photos from the past 200 years. Contributors include Daniel Webster, Stephen Crane, Eugene V. Debs, Helen Keller and Howard Zinn, as well as presidents and other government officials, mothers, social justice activists, poets and songwriters. Parallels among wars and the present moment are easy to find, and the many warnings hang heavy, given the ambiguous aftermath of America's conflicts. Eisenhower's 1961 warning against the abuses of "the military-industrial complex" is a standby centerpiece worthy of another look, but much of the material is just as interesting, informative and impassioned. Foregoing any dry lessons, this history-in-protest is a valuable read for study and conversation in advance of the 2008 presidential election, and should be of interest to a wide audience not limited to history buffs, antiwar activists, and those seeking perspective on today's war.

September 15, 2008
History repeats itself, and Polner and Woods ("The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History") remind us that both Leftist dissent against jingoism and Rightist opposition to governments swollen by war run throughout American history. The authors present writings by thinkers and activists, from the War of 1812 to the Iraq War. Daniel Webster thunders against the draft of 1814; Abraham Lincoln denounces President Polk's lies about the war in Mexico as "the half-insane mumbling of a fever dream." Even less controversial wars had opponents; included pieces range from the religious and pacifist writings against the Civil War to a statement from World War II draftresister David Dellinger. The pieces are arranged chronologically and include moral and legal statements, accounts by activists and veterans, and the traditional letters written by mothers. The book would have been even more powerful had it featured writings by minorities and about the wars on American Indians. A five-page list of antiwar films is also included. Recommended for larger public libraries and all college libraries.Duncan Stewart, Univ. of Iowa Lib., Iowa City

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2008
From the War of 1812 to the present conflict in Iraq, whenever our nation has gone to war, there have been those among its citizenry who have spoken out against the rationale behind such decisions. They have done so bravely, selflessly, with calm reason and passionate outrage, from personal experience and projected empathy. Representing both sides of the ideological divide, editors Polner and Woods have collected a vast and varied array of speeches, essays, letters, poetry, even popular song lyrics from our countrys greatest leaders and civilians to illustrate the indelible and instinctive response war-mongering and war evoke. Senator Robert Tafts rational criticism of Trumans cold war doctrine stands side-by-side with Henry Clays impassioned denunciation of the 1846 war with Mexico. Montana congresswoman Jeannette Rankins conscientious votes against both world wars presciently echoes George McGoverns fierce condemnation of the Vietnam War. With current antiwar rhetoric also running at a fevered pitch, such historical documentation demonstrates, sadly, that it is also running true to course.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)