good readers

Well of course I know theoretically that once a book is published it becomes the property of its readers, but it's still sometimes hard to see what some readers make of what you've written. Or don't make of it. So I was particularly pleased to discover Valerie Trueblood writing acutely and positively about my Guernica and Total War on Maud Newton's excellent blog. The book is about the way the aerial bombardment of civilians developed during the first half of the twentieth century, and how poets and writers (in particular) responded to it. It's also about the stupidity and inhumanity of it, and the need to stop doing it as soon as possible. If there's one lesson to learned from the sorry history of bombing it's that it seldom has the effect confidently predicted by military planners.

Comments

[Lara]

It sounds like a great book. I will find it. I wonder if you know Sven Lindqvist's stuff? You probably do. He wrote A history of bombing. In fact, I'm sure you must know it. And can I add, to your final sentence, that so often the effect sought by military planners is seldom achieved, is it.

[Ms Baroque]

Hi there Ian... Yes, isn't that a great write-up at Maud's place! She's ace.

I was shocked by the part about the UN and Colin Powell. I don't know why... Picasso would be turning in his grave.

And isn't "military planning" an oxymoron like "military intelligence?"

Lara sent me here, by the way... Nice to be at the party early! I'll bookmark.