Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America's I mperial Dream Kindle Edition

Every part of the past has a history worth revisiting as a result of interesting moments that may not have been completely emphasized upon. Journalist and historian Gregg Jones takes a historic event that may have already been written numerous times. However, he delves much closer to the major individuals and pivotal events such as the aftermath of the Spanish American War and the beginning and end of the Philippine American War. Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines and the Rise of America’s Imperial Dream examines a portion of the grander scales of both wars and how one continued after the other and the role of President Theodore Roosevelt and key officials and military generals that were responsible to the rebuilding of the Philippines after Spanish rule, but within the cracks the memory of the war may have been forgotten within the historic past as global expansionism steered forward by 1900. And the Philippine islands became a crux to that movement of advancement and transition but not without a cost that during the time caused controversy within foreign affairs and the United States military.

Honor in the Dust is twofold and elaborates upon the period from 1898 to 1902, which begins with President William McKinley’s presidency after the Spanish American War and the preliminary events leading to the Philippine American War a year later and the complexities that ensued that proceeded during Roosevelt’s first term. But as one narrows the lens of the past to a particular segment that had not been retold with greater emphasis, Jones focuses on Roosevelt and the debacle that occurred between US soldiers and Filipino guerilla soldiers that eventually led to misconceptions and misconduct. Based on Jones’s travels as reporter to the Philippines in 1984 covering the Marcos presidency and political events surrounding that activity, he experienced another part of the islands to the south of Luzon and Manila, Visayan islands and the region of Samar, a jungle forest of rigid terrain; a place of historic significance that directly relates to American and Philippine history and with the campaign at Samar, which has been compared to the battle at Little Bighorn. It was a campaign that showed after Filipino guerilla general Emilio Aguinaldo’s retreat and capture in 1901, one of two second in command general Vicente Lukban continued the fight well into 1902. Indeed, historic in comparison and one of several campaigns of the war that set a precedence and left a legacy shared with other histories of brutality and political and social repercussions that would later parallel with wars of the twentieth and twenty-first century from Vietnam to Iraq. However, readers may determine their own perceptions. And if readers are familiar with the works of Brian McAllister Linn, Stanley Karnow, or John M. Gates that have thoroughly examined the initial history of the Philippine American War and the involvement of the US, this book complements each as well as the PBS documentary Crucible Empire: The Spanish-American War. Also, the concluding pages contains much detail of the primary and secondary sources that Jones researched and used to write the book.

After reading Honor in Dust, one may have another after thought, especially a historic one of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency during its infancy and circumstances that emerged of controversy and conduct of the people that he led. But with the assistance of the political and social climate and how events were communicated during the period, they, too, played an essential role in terms of interpretations.

The first book I read by American journalist Gregg Jones was “Last Stand at Khe Sanh.” I was absolutely enthralled with that effort and was unable to put it down. It was one of the most riveting and compelling works about that most horrific battle conveyed by the brave men who participated. Well written and informative, it is the most accurate depiction of personal events and descriptive moments of war that I have read about that battle, placing the reader in the trench line, sharing the fears, doubts, horrors and bravery of the men involve. That book led me to Mr. Jones magnificently written “Honor in the Dust,” A detailed account of a then imperialist America involved in defeating and exiling Spain from Cuba and the Philippians and then occupying the Philippians as essentially a colony. This book too follows the bloody trail of battle, politics behind imperialistic decisions, hardships of the soldiers, denial of atrocities by superiors and substantial suffering by the local populace. 464 Pages which makes it a rather long vacation read but a compelling read non-the less, about the war in the Philippines 1899-1902. Another scholarly masterpiece by Mr. Jones.

This is one of those 'wish there was a 4.5 option' reviews. Overall this book is very accurate, moves into aspects of the battles I had not previously found in such vivid detail, took us through the jungles and the streets of foreign lands with ease, and simply put the facts of these early wars into a very good perspective for people to consider. He did seem to give a pass to McKinley which Politics of War was not so kind to do. There were also a few other minor political areas he was more inline with standard teachings on but it is very minor compared to the many facts he brings to the table with a clarity necesary to overcome the rewritten history that helped lead TR to be placed on Mt. Rushmore. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to open their eyes to real history. Follow this with Politics of War for a very good insight into the period of 1890-1920, a period that sealed the fate of our lost republic.

An excellent overview encompassing the politics and the military operations in the Philippines. This is a detailed work in some ways tracing the progress of " Empire politics " and the reality of the war against the fragmented Philippine Republic ( as proclaimed by Aguinaldo ). The ferocity of the military response to the insurgency of the various Philippine groups is well covered as is the make up and operations of the Philippine Republic. This was an excellent read and well organized. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in this phase of American growth of the late 19th century and the early 20th. century.

Tremendous insights into the conflict in the Philippines following the Spanish-American war. Very ugly on the American side of things, both with political infighting and what happens to troops carrying out 'total war'. I had a great uncle who died of his wounds in this war, so that was my initial interest, but was captivated by the intensity of the struggle in the Philippines. Pretty terrible stuff.

Anyone who wants to know the history of our country should read this book. No, it's not ALL of the history of our country, but it's an important part, that being our initial attempt to acquire a colony and what happened. An interesting book about the same period of time is "In the Days of McKinley." Obviously, that focuses on McKinley, but it details the American adventures (and misadventures) in the Philippines as well. But "Honor In The Dust" is a book that serious people should own.