Addicted to War: Why the U.S. Can't Kick Militarism

Put this one under the Christmas tree. A popular classic, now in a new reprint, strictly based on popular demand - no commercial hype whatsoever - gives an easily accessed history of the military industial complex, the ruling junta in today's America - from its very earliest roots. An invaluable educational resource in its comix format - also available in Espagnol.

In just over 60 pages, author Joel Andreas presents a concise, coherent argument that America is "Addicted to War." The book is in comic format and traces America's military actions throughout the world. The author covers history beginning with the idea of Manifest Destiny through the present conflict in Iraq--the so-called 'War on Terrorism.' There were several events in the book that I had never heard of, and quite frankly I questioned the accuracy of some of the quotes. References at the end of the book, however, corroborate the author's depictions and quotes. The information is astounding. I did know about America's ties with Saddam Hussein and the fact that he'd been supplied with chemical weapons by the U.S. in the 80s. But some of the statistics included are horrifying, and I was unaware that Iraqi soldiers in trenches were buried alive at the end of the first Iraqi war by U.S. tanks and bulldozers. "Addicted to War: Why the U.S. Can't Kick Militarism" is an alternate history book that packs an incredible punch. If you're receptive to the message of this engaging and thoughtful book, it will open your eyes to certain awful realities, and if you doubt any of the information, then satisfy your curiosity with a search for the truth. You'll be stunned at what you discover--displacedhuman.

I picked up this book, all skeptical, thought it was a kidfs comic book. Although simply worded, the wit, content and organization blew me away. I read it in one night, thoroughly engrossed. As the reader above stated, it was a revelation. Working as a cog in corporate America, I thought the anti-militarists were all a bunch of loonies out to harm my good old capitalist interests--money. Instead, I realized just how manipulated I had been. Reading about all the lives and billions of dollars our government has wasted truly awakened me. This book makes you want to question every tidbit we hear in the media. I attempted to verify some of the more flamboyant quotes attributed in the book and guess what? They were true! Perhaps most profound is the simple logic this book presents which slowly hits you at the end. For example at the end of the cold war people thought world peace would be attainable now that the US was the only remaining super power. Yet now George Bush comes along putting fear in us about the terrorist threat, his request for 87 billion dollars and the statement that this new war could last an entire generation. What lessons have were learnt from all the previous wars? Nothing.

I opened it up and thought, "isn't this a comic book?" The drawings were simple. But as I started reading it, I realized how truly astonishing this book is. It's meticulously researched with published sources for every scrap of information, and photo documentation of quite a few events. I've even double-checked a few of its weightier claims in other research, and this book as won every test of historical accuracy I've put it through.The book is so stunning it makes my head spin after the one hour it takes to read. It's one of those book I want to buy for everyone I know. It actually has the power to change beliefs and assumptions we have about our country and human rights.

What an absolutely fabulous little book! In clear concise and honest fashion, this book lays out in easy to read illustrated pages, the real history of this country. No where in my college level education were these easily verifiable facts presented. My family and friends read this book, and all agree it should be required reading for every highschool student in the country. It has never been more needed than right now with our insane military aggression threatening to engulf the Middle East in a terribly destructive, illegal, and immoral war for profit and control of oil. Read who is doing this and why, read who profits from this madness, take a copy to your next PTA meeting and ask the teachers to read it! The negative reviews cannot dispel the truth of this book, it is loaded with facts, not "tired stereotypes". Buy this book! Better yet but 5 copies and hand them out!