*Immoderate Greatness* explains how a civilization’s very magnitude conspires against it to cause downfall. Civilizations are hard-wired for self-destruction. They travel an arc from initial success to terminal decay and ultimate collapse due to intrinsic; inescapable biophysical limits combined with an inexorable trend toward moral decay and practical failure. Because our own civilization is global; its collapse will also be global; as well as uniquely devastating owing to the immensity of its population; complexity; and consumption. To avoid the common fate of all past civilizations will require a radical change in our ethos—to wit; the deliberate renunciation of greatness—lest we precipitate a dark age in which the arts and adornments of civilization are partially or completely lost.
#277752 in Books 2014-01-11 2014-01-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.20 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 1476772134416 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The British didn't work to winBy Richard SubberFor some time I have indulged my suspicion that the British never really tried very hard to win the Revolutionary War.Stanley Weintraub’s Iron Tears isn’t the first book that has reinforced my understanding of this most iconic event in American history. If you’re interested; try Nick Bunker’s An Empire on the Edge or Andrew Jackson O’Shaughnessy’s An Empire Divided.Weintraub offers a solidly researched and richly anecdotal account of the military details and the political wrangling that prolonged the war for several years until the British ministers and politicians finally admitted to themselves that they couldn’t win the war.King George III was fatuously optimistic and persistently unrealistic—to the bitter end—about the prospects for winning a war that he desperately identified with his own persona and his royal stature. (Remind you of any U. S. president?...)Weintraub makes it irrefutably clear that at no time during the Revolutionary War did the British send enough men and ships to win in North America; that is; to put down the rebellion and re-establish full constitutional Parliamentary control of the 13 colonies. Hint: the British “sugar island†colonies in the Caribbean were more important; and the British never stopped looking over their shoulders at prospective and real war with France; Spain and other countries.On October 18; 1781; General Washington accepted the capitulation of the army of General Cornwallis at Yorktown. In November 25; an official dispatch with the bad news finally reached Lord North; the British prime minister; at Downing Street. It is reported that he exclaimed “Oh God! It is all over!â€Quite possibly he was overcome with grief and relief.(Read more of my book reviews on my website)9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Britain's ChallengeBy David MontgomeryStanley Weintraub's book Iron Tears is useful in that his study shows those who have studied the American Revolution that it wasn't necessarily miraculous that the Americans won. Weintraub's book focuses mainly on the politics of England during the reign of King George III and the British Parliament under the ministry of Lord North; but with great attention to the American Secretary Lord George Germain. The British military leaders who served in America including the Howe brothers; Clinton; Burgoyne; Cornwallis and so forth are all discussed to show the results of their leadership or lack thereof in trying to win the war in America.Public opinion in England was not united in support for subduing the rebellion in America. Many Members of Parliament were dubious of England's ability to win a war thousands of miles away in a relatively large geographic area. Weintraub does suggest in the beginning of the book that the British Parliament possessed the legal right to raise revenues from their subjects in America. As Weintraub mentioned; the British themselves had to bear an even greater burden in supporting their Empire. However; Parliament's efforts were often an exercise in futility as it only united the usually divided colonists. Political leadership in the Parliament was also less than remarkable; which didn't help their cause.Weintraub's book focuses on the debates and troubles the British political leadership faced; as well as the lack of effective military leadership in America; both on land and at sea. The role of the press is also well discussed as it shows the level of dissent in the English ranks; both towards the war and even the king himself. Of course the Parliament was controlled by a large enough majority in support of the crown that even the ineffectual leadership exercised by North and Germain could be sustained in the face of growing doubt that the colonies could be held onto. We do get to see brief glimpses of the battles fought in America and how British strategies often failed or weren't properly exploited after initial victory; such as the Long Island-New York battles.The British were also quick to pick up on perceived turmoil and dissension in the ranks of Washington's army and the American colonies as proof that their efforts to achieve independence would fail and therefore it was only a matter of time before they would be subdued. Though there were plenty of examples of incompetence or lack of resolve on the part of the British political and military leadership during this conflict; there were issues that legitimately hindered their commitment and focus to the American crisis. The conflicts and competition with other European powers for land and dominance such as France and Spain; the large expanse of the British Empire itself and the expense of having to support that expansive empire were legitimate issues that compromised England's ability to focus on and fully commit to the American War.Without reciting all the events that transpired in the colonies during the American Revolution; Weintraub covers the campaigns fought up to the surrender of Cornwallis's army at Yorktown and the Signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783; formally acknowledging America's independence. This book attempts to show how the results of the American War for Independence wasn't really all that much of a surprise; England had a lot going against it. This is a topic that has merit and shouldn't be overlooked in studying the history of this period. Weintraub's book isn't comprehensive or all inclusive; but compelling nonetheless. I noticed a few errors like the Battle of King's Mountain being fought in North Carolina; but in actuality was just south of the border in South Carolina. I also noticed some typos in giving dates for events and individuals; most noticeable in the last section of the book on Participants.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Michael NeblokGreat book; uses the word Sardonic like every 3 pages.
