MY COMMENTS :
The work written by HG Wells discusses the author's views and thoughts on World War I.
The author stated that the World War was an important tool for drawing the map of Europe in its full sense, and that if this opportunity was not used, it would lead to other wars.
However, when one researches his life, it will be revealed that the British author had important acquaintances, especially in the state. Therefore, it should be stated that he is one of the important writers for those who want to analyze the functioning of the state and the political evaluations of the country in a healthy way.
He also gave brief information about the first distribution in Europe that was not done properly and the widespread anti-Semitism that disturbed people throughout the continent. It should be stated that he played a major role in the rescue of Stefan Zweig and many Jews in the Second World War and their becoming British citizens.
Again, the author, who also made many analyses against the Germans, especially gave too much space to some English praises and showed his own country as the only face of the monarchy that was not feared, which clearly shows itself as a curtain used to cover up the democracy story they are trying to "distribute" to the world.
The author, who stated that the Germans should not be freed from their people but from their state, did not refrain from expressing such statements about preventing Russian nationalism. It can also be briefly said that he indirectly stated that the main purpose of these statements was to put obstacles in front of potential British rivals in the eastern and western countries.
Especially regarding the islands, the fact that he did not have a problem with seeing the Greeks there temporarily and waited for Turkey's mistake to establish its sovereignty in that region after the Balkan War can be considered as an indication of how much the plans of other countries were accepted even by their intellectuals.
The author, who clearly stated that the elimination of Russian thought had been the goal of the British since then, seems to be among those who have shown that the aim of creating an international society purified from religious and traditional feelings has been an established goal since the beginning of the 20th century.
Thus, it is clearly understood that the idea defended by the author has an understanding that plans for the destruction of the traditions and customs of states and societies, and for both economic and cultural invasion. The fact that his statement at the end of the book clearly expresses this also serves as a helper for us to understand the other explanations more clearly.
Although the author particularly states that the intellectual segments of eastern countries should be put into a certain mold and show the direction to the other parts of the society, he also indirectly underlines that this segment should be a segment that is oriented towards the West, which is an important criterion for intellectual evaluation. In the example he gives especially about the Russians, it is seen that only a certain segment of the society lives in a modern and enlightened way and that these people resemble the Westerners. In addition, looking at the other segments as ignorant and definitely controlled and brought to the desired level can also provide us with an idea about the initiatives made regarding the recent past of our country.
As can be seen, the work, which provides a brief explanation of how not only eastern states like Turkey but also old empires like Russia, Germany and Hungary should be reduced and destroyed with the support of England, needs to be understood by people all over the world. Because it can be clearly understood from the book that the techniques used have not changed much.
In conclusion, the work can be considered as one of the important works that every Turkish youth should read to learn what they should protect regarding their country and lands, what they should continue to do and who their real enemies are.
MY QUOTATIONS(*) :
But let it be known: Europe's struggle is with the German State, not with the German people; not with race, but with the system. Alanya's old traditions are very civilized and peaceful.
The German is not a naturally good soldier; he is orderly and obedient, but not agile and cunning. Since his one famous military success (the brief occupation of Paris in 1870 and 1871), the conditions of modern warfare have changed almost completely. The obedient mass of soldiers has been replaced by the agile enterprise of individualized soldiers.
The German army is a dream for the supporters of conscription; it is an army twenty years behind modern conditions.
Lord Maffick bought all the flour in his neighborhood; flour is history. Now Lord Maffick says he bought it to distribute to his poor neighbors (all the rich will use that excuse now), but such a purchase is bad for prices and for Lord Maffick's reputation. The present danger facing England is not the German army or the German fleet, but this morally corrupt class of our society.
It must not be forgotten that the present food shortage is an artificial problem created by short-sighted rich people and cunning merchants.
Weltpolitik was the imperialist foreign policy adopted by the German Empire during the reign of Emperor Wilhelm II.
The first thing Kraft wanted to teach us was the Customs Duty Reform, “taxing foreigners”. You get rich without paying a single penny. You get a national income from imported goods and also, since customs duty imports are prevented, domestic trade develops. Two birds with one stone (flying in different directions).
All the emperors and kings we know have a natural, dangerous, and intense ambition, compared with the conditions of a Republic. Our monarchy is the additional exception to the rule. There is no reason why we should multiply these war centers.
If we do not think about the map of Europe, we shall soon be fighting pointless wars. That is why we free Englishmen must all draw a new map of Europe, first on paper and then on the world.
A truly helpless and ignorant mass. Above these peasants are very enlightened and intelligent people. They are the only ones who reflect the Western society in which we live. They are composed of officials in the government machine, which was mainly strengthened by Peter I, to control the minds and bodies of the peasant masses, or of individual individuals who are unwillingly tied to this machine and knotted together. At the head of this structure is the tragic figure of the Tsar, whose initiative is measured by his individual talents. What I have described is a brief summary of Russia, and it is unlike any other nation.
It must teach its people to read, increase the number of schools and universities; in this way the Russia we now fear will become a completely different country. The fist of traditionalism must be loosened, the outlook of officialdom must be intellectually changed, religious conservatism must be abandoned... In short, "Russian thought" must be completely eliminated.
Jews who cannot control their selfishness are open to being hated by immature humanity.
There is only one civilized country that Russia really threatens, and that is Sweden. It would be in Russia's interest to seize Sweden's coal and iron mines.
The Greek presence on the islands of Epirus and Cyprus can be compensated for. Macedonia is also available for Bulgaria. Everyone is aware of the natural expansion of the two northern countries, and if Turkey makes a stupid move or flounders in this crisis, the natural and logical arrangements that will follow are possible. The only reason why these countries prevent us from making moves is that the first Balkan Union collapsed and no longer inspires confidence.
The whole reality of this war is about the mind. It is a clash of cultures and nothing more.
Guns only kill and others are born to take their place, our real aim is to kill ideas. The ultimate aim of war is propaganda, the destruction of certain beliefs and their replacements. What reasonable people should do is to take up this propaganda.
Reason without faith is the devil, but faith without reason is a negligent angel armed with rusty swords. This European disaster is the tragedy of the weak but virtuous Christian will.
MY EVALUATIONS:
Subject : The work deals with the author's views and thoughts on World War I.
Style: It is obvious that the plain and clear narrative seen in the author's other works is also seen in this book. However, it should be stated that there is no chronological order in the narrative. This situation can cause the reader to lose attention due to the sudden transitions between some events. However, the fact that some examples from world history are given in expressing more thoughts and opinions has made communication with the reader more understandable and based on concrete data. This issue can be seen as an important element to draw the reader in, especially in works in this category.
Fluency : The work has a fluent narrative from beginning to end, also due to the effect of its style. The lack of a sense of chronological flow in the narrative alone may cause difficulties for the reader in establishing the integrity of meaning in some sections, but it does not affect the messages intended to be given in any way. However, it should also be stated that the work cannot be expected to be gripping in terms of its subject and genre.
General : In the evaluation made out of 10 according to the criteria stated above:
Subject: 8
Style: 7.5
Fluency: 8
The overall average of the work, which received the scores, is 7.8 points . As can be seen, the work exceeds the 7 threshold and almost approaches 8 points. It should be stated again that it is one of the books that people of all ages should read due to the important lesson-like narration and messages it contains.
(*) : All parts under the title My Quotations:
THE WAR THAT WILL END WAR
Author : H.G. Wells
Publisher : Maviçatı Publications
Edition : 1st Edition - 2022 Istanbul
The photo used on the cover was used as a quote from the book.
Коментарі