Oh yes, my sense of duty to my devoted - er, you are devoted, aren't you? - readership knows no bounds and having finished one massive tome on the subject of the Korean War I felt sure that somewhere in the wreackage that constitutes my bookshelves I had another book on the subject which I had never actually read. Sure enough, after about three days searching, lo and behold, I found it lurking somewhere beteen the Punic Wars and Austerlitz - slight error of navigation, I feel! It is by a man called Bevin Alexander and it is called Korea: The Lost War. It was first published in 1986 and as I am only on p.38 of nearly 500 pages it is, perhaps, a tad early to judge but so far, so good. What I am enjoying are some of his asides, such as this fascinating passage:
Truman was following an obligatory course laid down long before. Alexis de Toqueville in his classic study of the United States in the 1830s focussed on an American reality when he wrote: "The men who are entrusted with the direction of public affairs in the United States . . . may frequently be faithless and frequently mistaken, but they will never systematically adopt a line of conduct hostile to the majority." [Not least, I suppose, because unlike so many other leaders they have to face their public every four years!]
De Toqueville also observed there is a propensity in the United States "to obey impulse rather than prudence, and to abondon a mature design for the gratification of a momentary passion." De Toqueville noted that only George Washington's inflexible stand and his immense popularity kept Americans from allying themselves with France and going to war against Britain at the time of the French Revolution.
Sound fella', that Washington, I will not have a word said against him, er, despite him being a scoundrel and a rebel!
ADDITIONAL: I only read on a few more lines and came across this:
More specifically to the point, de Toqueville also spotted another American propensity - to cloak whatever we do, however harsh or unfair or inconsistent, with a mantle of legality.
Shrewd observer, that Toqueville chap, must buy his book one of these days!
I bought vol 2 in a book sale but haven't read it since I still hope top find a bargain vol 1.
Posted by: dearieme | Sunday, 22 January 2012 at 22:17
Try abebooks.com
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 23 January 2012 at 08:56
I did, years ago. Their system then was a disgrace so I've never returned.
Posted by: dearieme | Monday, 23 January 2012 at 12:05
De Toqueville is full of shrewd observations and jolly well written too.
Posted by: H | Monday, 23 January 2012 at 16:37
DM, I think they have improved with age, bit like me, really! And they are certainly useful for out-of-print books.
'H', I only ever read him, like now, as a quote in another book and evry time I swear I will buy a copy because he does sound excellent.
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 23 January 2012 at 19:07