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Reader comment on: War Games
in response to reader comment: So where does Mr. Nicholson Baker teach?

Submitted by Russ Thayer, Mar 13, 2008 08:57

As ever, what is left of the publishing business bobs for goodies in the culture potty.


Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

Thank you for exposing Baker and his dangerous book. As I read your review, I kept thinking about Jonah Goldberg's... [MORE]

Paul Cruce 

Mar 25, 2008 10:32

Surely there is a case to be made against Nicholson Baker's "Human Smoke," but Adam Kirsch has not made it... [MORE]

Max Greene 

Mar 18, 2008 11:21

  

Max Greene comments that since Baker defines Goebbels as an "anti-intellectual monster" he doesn't rehabilitate Goebbels character by using him... [MORE]

William Maron 

Mar 25, 2008 10:00

    

The reviewer makes it quite clear why this is a terrible book. He points out how the author has not... [MORE]

MClark 

Mar 25, 2008 13:43

    

Unfortunately, this viewpoint is all too common in history departments at colleges throughout the country. The influence of Chomsky and... [MORE]

NJB 

Mar 17, 2008 18:10

    

So often history is updated to serve a current trend or philosophy. People like Nicholson Baker seem to lack... [MORE]

Roger Strong 

Mar 17, 2008 03:14

    

Thank God there are people as sane, informed, and articulate as Adam Kirsch to put a damper on run-amoks like... [MORE]

Bill Parker 

Mar 15, 2008 20:38

    

america was compelled to join ww2 on the side of the allies only after japan attacked pearl harbor. it was... [MORE]

B Eluma 

Mar 15, 2008 08:03

    

This revisionist history of WW2 is seriouse. Noam Chomsky named once a pacifist from WW2 as his hero. And he... [MORE]

Yosifon 

Mar 15, 2008 02:11

    

I thank the writer for the excellent review. I lambasted the Los Angeles Times in a letter for an inexcusable... [MORE]

Jonathan Eddison 

Mar 14, 2008 21:33

    

I know something about WW II and I take Human Smoke seriously . I am certain that I will not... [MORE]

Robert Birnbaum 

Mar 14, 2008 10:21

    

I applaud the author's debunking of Human Smoke. Nicholson Baker seems to have a poor grasp of history in that... [MORE]

Ken Dobler 

Mar 14, 2008 08:43

    

Sustainable peace is one of those ideals history has failed to deliver. War is a constant and regular feature of... [MORE]

Robert Landbeck 

Mar 13, 2008 14:41

    

'Smoke' appears to be a shameless shower of venality. Sensationalism at all costs and The L.A.

Times is interested only in... [MORE]

Patrick 

Mar 13, 2008 13:44

    

An excellent review: Mr. Kirsch has put trash in its proper place. The notion, however, that Allied bombing of Germany... [MORE]

Aaron Krishtalka 

Mar 13, 2008 13:00

      

Aaron, I think you're right about the importance of the strategic bombing campaign for destroying the Luftwaffe. In that sense,... [MORE]

Kent G. Budge 

Mar 20, 2008 15:08

        

>> I can't say I know the answer, though I wonder if directed attacks against the fuel infrastructure wouldn't have... [MORE]

Noisesome 

Mar 25, 2008 09:55

        

Michael Anderson 

Mar 13, 2008 12:17

        

Gray Rinehart 

Mar 13, 2008 09:07

        

What has happened to publishing?

Books about the Nazis as well-meaning chaps; books about China sailing to America in the 15th... [MORE]

Scott Oxon 

Mar 13, 2008 07:29

        

Was you there? I have vivid memories of being thrown into the air raid shelter, of ducking behind gravestones to... [MORE]

Alan Lea 

Mar 13, 2008 03:09

        

This kind of 'book' - a mere sensationalist assemblage of disconnected oddments - can only appeal to those with no... [MORE]

Paul Perry 

Mar 13, 2008 01:07

          

My father volunteered for Army Service at the start of WWII. He served in all five European campaigns. Two bronze... [MORE]

Vance 

Mar 13, 2008 13:14

            

gilbo 

Mar 14, 2008 18:36

            

shriber 

Mar 12, 2008 23:48

              

The term "good war" was popularized by Chicago author Studs Terkel in his volume of that name, I believe.
Of course,... [MORE]

Larry 

Mar 13, 2008 01:29

                

tony o'brien 

Mar 13, 2008 05:40

                  

Russ Thayer 

Mar 13, 2008 08:57

                  

andrew 

Mar 12, 2008 11:12

                  

I have just begun reading this book but I can already see that you have missed an important point in... [MORE]

rhbee 

Mar 12, 2008 10:36

                    

Your review points out one of the fundamental problems, growing over the last 30 years or so, namely, that in... [MORE]

Brian Switzer 

Mar 13, 2008 08:52

                      

"stories, quotes and dates" are useless without context. I could quote the president of Iran's assertion that there is not... [MORE]

MEB 

Mar 13, 2008 11:57

                        

this one have only read the review. If you're are really going to question the value of someone's work then... [MORE]

rhbee 

Mar 13, 2008 21:09

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