John Dower - War Without Mercy

Pros: Dower sticks to his thesis

Cons: Doesn't examine counterarguments enough

The Bottom Line: Dower sticks to his thesis, gives valid arguments and that support his thesis, and therefore, the argument he makes about this topic is persuasive.

Review: The book’s title is War Without Mercy: Race & Power in the Pacific War. It was written by John W. Dower and was published in 1986.

Dower outlines his thesis early in the book when he writes, “To scores of millions of...

Pros: Compelling, uncomfortable, thought-provoking, and accomplished

Cons: Sometimes stretches for points

Review: War Without Mercy, cried American editorials and cartoon captions on 8 December 1941. War Without Mercy, urged the rightists and militarists of the Rising Sun.

Be careful what you ask for, say the sages. These were 'enormous...

Pros: a compelling argument that reveals forgotten elements of WWII

Cons: can be repetitive, dry, and overly analytical

The Bottom Line: "War Without Mercy" presents a vision of World War II that isn't sugar-coated and reflects on the brutality of both sides during the war.

Review: The success of "The Greatest Generation", "Saving Private Ryan", and the recent establishment of the World War II Memorial in Washington DC reflect a great public fascination the American people have with the epic conflict of the 1940s. In part this may ...

Pros: Great examples, interesting premise

Cons: Far too much repetition

Review: John W. Dower's 'War Without Mercy' deals with the premise that racism
played a major part in the conflict between the United States and Japan
during World War Two. Dower supports his argument by using examples
from the media, internal...