[Xmca-l] Re: Hitler's World by T. Snyder

[Peter Smagorinsky]

Yes.

-----Original Message-----
From: xmca-l-bounces+smago=uga.edu@mailman.ucsd.edu [mailto:xmca-l-bounces+smago=uga.edu@mailman.ucsd.edu] On Behalf Of Huw Lloyd
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 9:03 AM
To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
Subject: [Xmca-l] Re: Hitler's World by T. Snyder

On 16 September 2015 at 13:55, Peter Smagorinsky <smago@uga.edu> wrote:

> Can't tell a book by its title. Snyder's got a ton of relatively 
> recently released historical archival material that Tolstoy didn't have available.
>

I thought the argument was quite clear, Peter.  Does Snyder address "the connection existing between these men (Hitler, Stalin) and the movement of the nations"?

Huw


>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: xmca-l-bounces+smago=uga.edu@mailman.ucsd.edu [mailto:
> xmca-l-bounces+smago=uga.edu@mailman.ucsd.edu] On Behalf Of Huw Lloyd
> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 8:35 AM
> To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
> Subject: [Xmca-l] Re: Hitler's World by T. Snyder
>
> The titles don't communicate "essential reading".  Perhaps one should 
> consider the argument fluently expressed by Tolstoy first?  The 
> extract below is from the second epilogue to Tolstoy's War and Peace (
> http://www.planetpdf.com/planetpdf/pdfs/free_ebooks/War_and_Peace_NT.p
> df)
>
> "If the purpose of history be to give a description of the movement of 
> humanity and of the peoples, the first question- in the absence of a 
> reply to which all the rest will be incomprehensible- is: what is the 
> power that moves peoples? To this, modern history laboriously replies 
> either that Napoleon was a great genius, or that Louis XIV was very 
> proud, or that certain writers wrote certain books.
>
> All that may be so and mankind is ready to agree with it, but it is 
> not what was asked. All that would be interesting if we recognized a 
> divine power based on itself and always consistently directing its 
> nations through Napoleons, Louis-es, and writers; but we do not 
> acknowledge such a power, and therefore before speaking about 
> Napoleons, Louis-es, and authors, we ought to be shown the connection 
> existing between these men and the movement of the nations."
>
> Best,
> Huw
>
> On 16 September 2015 at 11:14, Peter Smagorinsky <smago@uga.edu> wrote:
>
> > I've read two of Snyder's books and think he's one sharp guy. Bloodlands:
> > Europe between Hitler and Stalin is essential reading.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: xmca-l-bounces+smago=uga.edu@mailman.ucsd.edu [mailto:
> > xmca-l-bounces+smago=uga.edu@mailman.ucsd.edu] On Behalf Of David 
> > xmca-l-bounces+Preiss
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 11:00 PM
> > To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
> > Subject: [Xmca-l] Hitler's World by T. Snyder
> >
> > Colleagues,
> > This brilliant essay will interest many of you, David
> >
> > http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2015/sep/24/hitlers-world/
> >
> >
>
>