New York Journal of Books Reviews "War Time: An Idea, Its History, Its Consequences" by Mary Dudziak

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 7, 2012 - New York Journal of Books reviewer Jerry Mark Silverman praises, "The temporary suspension of selected civil liberties during times of war and the restoration of those liberties following military victory at the end of war is a long-standing storyline in the literature on law, politics, and the use of military force. But Ms. Dudziak argues that this storyline does not accurately reflect United States’ experience since at least the end of World War II. Instead, United States’ military forces have been actively engaged, either directly or indirectly, in a continuous string of international or insurgent military conflicts"

Mr. Silverman also writes, "This book is not so much about those “wars” as it is about the concept of “wartime.” It is worth quoting Ms. Dudziak at length here:

“Once we enter [wartime] we expect the rules to change. Some burdens are more tolerable because we think of war as important and exceptional, and also because, by definition, wartime comes to an end. . . . [But] Once war has begun, time is thought to proceed on a different plane. There are two important consequences of this shift: first, we have entered a time that calls for extraordinary action, and second, we share a belief that this moment will end decisively, so that this shift is temporary. Because of this, built into the idea of wartime is a conception of the future.""

To read Jerry Mark Silverman's full review of "War Time: An Idea, Its History, Its Consequences" by Mary Dudziak visit http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/review/war-time-idea-its-... today!

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