A Democracy at War: America's Fight at Home and Abroad in World War II [Paperback]

William O'Neill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0674197372 | ISBN-13: 978-0674197374

This text argues that as America fought to defend its democratic ideals in Europe and Asia during World War II, the democratic politics at home paradoxically created a far less than efficient war effort on both civilian and military fronts. In a broad-ranged domestic, military and diplomatic history, William O'Neill tells the story of America's strengths and weaknesses in fighting World War II.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This account of the U.S. in WW II focuses on the waste and confusion that accompanied belated national mobilization. O'Neill argues the thesis that the U.S. never developed a coherent, integrated war effort, and that it should have attained a more total mobilization of people and resources, including the conscription of women. A history professor at Rutgers, he points out that the U.S. was able to fight a total war with a limited commitment because allies and geography shielded the country from direct military threats. An overview of the war effort and the home front details rationing restrictions, victory gardens and the increased importance of the media. O'Neill's argument about waste in war theaters overlooks the fact that for most of the war, limited shipping resources dictated the number of troops that could be moved to, and supported in, Europe and the Pacific. A comprehensive, well-documented chronicle.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This book might well be subtitled "How We Won the Second World War in Spite of Ourselves." O'Neill, a professor of history at Rutgers University and the author of American High (Free Pr., 1989), among other books, has produced a neat, readable volume on the numerous military errors, political shortcomings, and social blunders that marred the American war effort. The final victory was not really delayed much, but a great deal of efficiency was lost, and good people died unnecessarily. Little of this information is unknown to reasonably informed people or those who lived through the war, but the book nicely brings together all the anomalies and contradictions of that frenetic era. It is more comprehensive and less strident than John Ellis's Brute Force ( LJ 10/15/90). A solid and readable popular history; recommended for public libraries.
- Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force History Prog., Los Angeles
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (July 21, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674197372
• ISBN-13: 978-0674197374
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #794,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A genuinely brilliant treatise on America in World War II, October 11, 1999

By 

Richard Boverie (West Palm Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Democracy at War: America's Fight at Home and Abroad in World War II (Paperback)

"A Democracy at War" is absolutely remarkable. Exceptional breadth and depth - from the military to the geopolitical, from tactics and warfighting to grand strategy, from the human to the technological, from the soldier to the civilian and the statesman, from American democracy to foreign dictatorships. Spellbinding and absorbing. No wonder Stephen E. Ambrose calls it "the best single volume on the American experience in World War II that I have read." That is also my reaction.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile book, with a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking, January 11, 1999

By 

C. Pales (Charlottesville, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Democracy at War: America's Fight at Home and Abroad in World War II (Board book)

This was a worthwhile book for those trying to understand the politics, economics, and organization going on behind the war effort. However, O'Neill often makes the cardinal sin of historians and forgets the context of the moment when passing judgement on decisions and strategy by both Rooesevelt and his military leaders. His assessment of Iwo Jima as being unworthy of the effort expended to capture it overlooks the fact that, at the time, the U.S. didn't know the war was going to end so soon. Should be read in conjunction with David Brinkley's "Washington Goes to War."

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Fails to meet expectations, November 3, 2000

By 

D. Kudajarova (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Democracy at War: America's Fight at Home and Abroad in World War II (Paperback)

Objectivity, or a shot at it, is, admittedly, not something one should always expect to find in a historical work, especially if it is aimed at a broad audience. But if a book is opinionated, it should at least be an fun read. O'Neil's volume fails on both counts - it is blatantly subjective and painfully boring, in addition to being rambly. The author includes a lot of detail where a brief summary would surfice, and brushes over important issues, leaving a reader with pages of generalities. The chapter on minority discrimination, for exapmle, is perfunctory, and shot through with anachronic assumptions, providing little insight into the issue beyond the (selective) listing of facts. The technicalities of descriptions of military operations will quickly put you to sleep. Frustrating reading!