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HomeShop at BookSurgeBusiness & EconomicsNonprofit Organizations & CharitiesDarwin's War: Science, Politics, Warfare, Faith and Sacrifice; The 416th Bomb Group's Sacrifices to Defeat Eugenics |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 5 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
 Great book from an old friend Jul 25, 2009
By John Wrenn
"jw1959"
I was delighted to hear from my old friend, Larry Smith, after many years without contact and was more excited to hear that he had penned a book. Actually a very good book. He takes you into the cockpit of the A-20 Havoc with a level of technical detail that brings the experience to life. The format is unique in my experience with narrative chapters that bring the excitement, energy and terror of combat to life alternating with chapters that reveal the history leading up to WWII and the economic, political and social factors that produced both the "greatest generation" and the greatest horror in the holocaust. It is a great book for folks who want both entertainment and education and it delivers both in spades.
Exciting to see the air battles Feb 13, 2009
By J. Royal
I agree with the previous comments on this book, and would like to add something further. The book is easy to read, and intelligently and articulately traces a story about the war's development from the angle of eugenics. So it provides some intellectual background for the tale that it tells. Some of the best writing, though, is how the author details the stories of very young men who were thrown into air battles and had to behave like heroes in order to survive. You really feel like you're in the air battles, and you can see these men forced to bail out of the planes, forced to hold steady while explosives are blasting all around their planes, and forced to die in the service of their country. This book really brings a human element to discussions of World War 2.
A Fine Tribute To The Men of The Fighting 416th BG Jan 21, 2009
By Douglas H. Enman
"Jane & Doug Enman"
My copy of Dr. Larry's book has passed through several hands now and without exception all found the book a great and compelling read. One friend who was worried he'd have the book "to long" quickly returned it with the explanation, "I couldn't put it down". Dr. Larry's individual profiles remind us that real people fight wars and suffer its consequenses. The passages on the bomb runs were gripping and real. This is from men who were there and experienced it. Lastly, Dr. Larry reminds us that bad politics, bad science and religious and cultural differences, all at the root of "Darwins War" are with us today. A sobering reminder; one we must not forget.
 William R. Bradfield, The Distinguished Flying Cross Society Board member Jan 07, 2009
By William Bradfield
This extremely well written book, documenting the missions of the 416th Bomb Group in WWII captured my attention from the first page. Dr. Smith has done a superb job of interweaving facts and anecdotes about the 416th missions, its fine men and the part the 416th played in the war. You feel like you are flying with the men on thier harrowing missions. Dr. Smith also writes about eugenics and its role leading up to WWII. This was an easy read and, as a pilot who has flown in combat, a very accurate account of flying combat missions under very difficult conditions. A must read for pilots and WWII buffs.
Flying wih the 9th Air Force A-20s in the ETO Nov 13, 2008
By Ralph Conte
"Forner 416th Group member"
This presentation by Dr. Smith, the son of a late pilot of the 416th, puts you right in the middle of total activities of the Group and you ride with pilots on many of their precarious missions. The book excels, in the well composed and detailed hundreds of references including anecdotes of both ground and flying personnel of the Bomb Group. Eugenecis are adequately explored and documented relating to the whys and wherefores of this subject. It is an easy read, holding your attention from page to page with multitudes of photos offered by 416th Group members. The personal visits are superbly described by the author who went to the Group's air bases in England and France, plus visits with English and French folks who resurrected parts of some downed aircraft which participated in the air assaults to enemy territory. The Book is a rare necessity for both the military and non-military historians.
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