It's a great pity we can't watch this talk in full. It existed for a while on youtube, but has been taken down, so does anyone know where it can be viewed?
I like Sir Max. I enjoyed his book "Retribution" about the last year of the war in the Pacific. My only problem with him is that, inexplicably, he has a vendetta against General Douglas MacArthur. Anyone who reads his books should take that into account. If anyone reads his books and wants a more accurate picture they should read William Manchester's magnificent biography "American Caesar".
@trajan75 If he has a "bias" against MacArthur then more power to him -- MacArthur was easily the most overrated allied general of the war. Despite having hours warning after Pearl Harbor his air forces in the Philippines were still caught flatfooted and destroyed in the open. His later exploits weren't much better. He did do a fine job as the head of the occupation of Japan, but then led the UN forces into a disaster in Korea. He was definitely more flash than skill.
@Ranillon MacArthur took more territory with fewer casualties than any allied general. Both the leading military theorist of the 20th Century, Liddell Hart, and British Chief of Staff Sir Lord. Alan Brooke regarded him as the greatest allied general by far. This is because of the brilliance of his New Guinea campaign where he constantly out maneuvered the Japanese. His error in the Philippines didn't matter because without reinforcement we were doomed. He saved the Korean War at Inchon.
Max Hastings comments are some degree of pertinence. With respect to the first world, he is right. The period since WWII is unusually benevolent in world history -However, people such as him continually forget about how a large chunk of the planet live. Look at the effects of capitalist exploitation and the thirst for gold on in Irian Jaya, for example. It is not exactly Hampstead. Why are we getting a return to fundamentalist religion in many places?
@elpanchito421 Got it for Xmas, haven't put it down since. His clear analysis and conclusions combined with a human touch make him one of my most favorite military historians.
Max Hastings is simply second to non with regard to historical context. His first hand accounts on the American war in Vietnam and the incredible ordeal he put himself through on the Falklands is outrageous. Brave soldier? No. Brave reporter..The bravest
This guys sounds awsome, First time i ever seen him like this. But I think he forgets the fact that the only reason he has profound knowledge of English history mainly is because we had natives and a culter to make it. Immagration destroys that for Britain no longer care as much as they shuld about there country. You say i love this country for everythink it is? and people laugh at you because its either not cool or its imbarresing?. That is disgracfull and discusting.
Max Hastings' "Overlord" is one of the most masterful accounts of the Normandy campaign ever written. "Armageddon" was not that impressive but still worth reading.
Sir Hastings fails to note that rape and torture still go on around the world. Obviously not in his cushy world, but in many parts of the world nevertheless. Lucky for him not to have experience war himself, but many people still do.
Please be quiet, you dont know what you're talking about.
He doesn't need to note that rape and torture happen all over the world because it goes without saying. He's talking about war and all the terrible things that come from it.
You could not be more wrong about his "cushy world" or that he has never experienced war himself...he was a frontline war correspondent for years and has seen more wars than most soldiers!! Not to mention that he was with the parachute regiment in the Falklands.
It's a great pity we can't watch this talk in full. It existed for a while on youtube, but has been taken down, so does anyone know where it can be viewed?
Seabirdinflight7 3 months ago
I like Sir Max. I enjoyed his book "Retribution" about the last year of the war in the Pacific. My only problem with him is that, inexplicably, he has a vendetta against General Douglas MacArthur. Anyone who reads his books should take that into account. If anyone reads his books and wants a more accurate picture they should read William Manchester's magnificent biography "American Caesar".
trajan75 3 months ago
@trajan75 If he has a "bias" against MacArthur then more power to him -- MacArthur was easily the most overrated allied general of the war. Despite having hours warning after Pearl Harbor his air forces in the Philippines were still caught flatfooted and destroyed in the open. His later exploits weren't much better. He did do a fine job as the head of the occupation of Japan, but then led the UN forces into a disaster in Korea. He was definitely more flash than skill.
Ranillon 3 months ago
@Ranillon MacArthur took more territory with fewer casualties than any allied general. Both the leading military theorist of the 20th Century, Liddell Hart, and British Chief of Staff Sir Lord. Alan Brooke regarded him as the greatest allied general by far. This is because of the brilliance of his New Guinea campaign where he constantly out maneuvered the Japanese. His error in the Philippines didn't matter because without reinforcement we were doomed. He saved the Korean War at Inchon.
trajan75 3 months ago
Max Hastings comments are some degree of pertinence. With respect to the first world, he is right. The period since WWII is unusually benevolent in world history -However, people such as him continually forget about how a large chunk of the planet live. Look at the effects of capitalist exploitation and the thirst for gold on in Irian Jaya, for example. It is not exactly Hampstead. Why are we getting a return to fundamentalist religion in many places?
simonsmatthew 1 year ago
"Going To The Wars" and "Nemesis" are exceptional. caliche is right: human touch with enormous, readable detail.
transonicbuoy1 1 year ago
Armageddon is a fantastic book, I seriously recommend it.
elpanchito421 2 years ago
@elpanchito421 Got it for Xmas, haven't put it down since. His clear analysis and conclusions combined with a human touch make him one of my most favorite military historians.
calicheSCOT 2 years ago
Amazing. Max Hastings is one of the most intelligent and knowledgeable men in the world.
HAZIDEAD 2 years ago
Max Hastings is simply second to non with regard to historical context. His first hand accounts on the American war in Vietnam and the incredible ordeal he put himself through on the Falklands is outrageous. Brave soldier? No. Brave reporter..The bravest
yoyichinichio 3 years ago
I search myself and this is what I get....
0max0tube0 3 years ago
This guys sounds awsome, First time i ever seen him like this. But I think he forgets the fact that the only reason he has profound knowledge of English history mainly is because we had natives and a culter to make it. Immagration destroys that for Britain no longer care as much as they shuld about there country. You say i love this country for everythink it is? and people laugh at you because its either not cool or its imbarresing?. That is disgracfull and discusting.
RaizeX160 3 years ago
Hey, how's that book Hastings Wrote about the battle for japan? Its called Retribution, but in the Uk its called Nemesis.
bob1lurati 3 years ago
Max Hastings' "Overlord" is one of the most masterful accounts of the Normandy campaign ever written. "Armageddon" was not that impressive but still worth reading.
MalteseFalcon786 3 years ago
Sir Hastings fails to note that rape and torture still go on around the world. Obviously not in his cushy world, but in many parts of the world nevertheless. Lucky for him not to have experience war himself, but many people still do.
huliobomb 3 years ago
Please be quiet, you dont know what you're talking about.
He doesn't need to note that rape and torture happen all over the world because it goes without saying. He's talking about war and all the terrible things that come from it.
You could not be more wrong about his "cushy world" or that he has never experienced war himself...he was a frontline war correspondent for years and has seen more wars than most soldiers!! Not to mention that he was with the parachute regiment in the Falklands.
Reegatron 3 years ago