An Autumn of War: What America Learned from September 11 and the War on Terrorism Paperback – Import, 13 August 2002

A collection of essays published after the 9/11 attacks, Victor Davis Hanson's brilliant "An Autumn of War, What America Learned from September 11 and the War on Terror" is an intelligent and thoughtful blueprint for prosecuting the the present conflict. Hanson's predictions have mostly come true, such as the need for the US to take on not only the Taliban but also Saddam in the wake of the attacks. He offers important warnings throughout to the American people not to let their disgust and horror with terrorism wane as their own casualties begin to accrue.This book contains many essays that shed light on America, the Islamic world, and the nature of warfare, both classical and modern. Hanson presents humorous counter-factual essays with "What If?" and "The Time Machine" in which America's war against terror is compared with its war against Japan in WWII, where pundits and talking heads debate the 'misunderstood' Japanese and debate the moral repercussions of the Doolittle Raid. In "Pillars of Ignorance" and "The Iron Veil", Hanson takes the Islamic world to task for its denial of liberties, and lack of truly free institutions such as a free press, and he writes of how America needs to adopt almost a Cold War approach to the Mid East as a bloc. "It Really Is Your Father's Europe" looks at our European allies and their foot dragging after 9/11 while offering insights on how to deal with them in the future. In "General Sherman, the Western Way of War, and September 11", Hanson considers Sherman's role in history and how the old warrior would view America's present conflict. A similar riff is offered in "A Voice from the Past", a wonderful 'interview' with Thucydides in which the Greek general and historian gives his take on the War on Terror.These are just some of the many insightful and compelling essays in this collection. Each one pulls no punches and demands that Americans wake up to the frightening realities of the 21st century world. Throughout, however, Hanson remains optimistic of America's ability to prevail against an Islamic world that needs us far more than we need it. This is a wonderful and important book.

Dr Hanson’s collection of brilliant columns encompassing the terrible and glorious times surrounding our great loss of the Twin Towers are worthy of another read by any student of modern history. His writing is precise and very readable. I continue to read any and all of his works. He is fast becoming one of my favorite historians. I strongly recommend anything bearing the name of Victor Davis Hanson.

The book is comprised of a chronological group of essays that were written in the aftermath of September 11th. Primarily they focus on the reaction from the public and the actions that should be taken by the United States and its allies.Overall I think the author does an excellent job of critically examining the reaction coming from the left. The only type of detraction that I can make from the book is that the essays do become redundant after a certain point. I also felt like the satirical essays were a little out of place given the tone of the other essays.

To quote Mr. Hanson:“TO PARAPHRASE CHURCHILL, with the conclusion of hostilities in Afghanistan we are not at the beginning of the end, but rather at the end of the beginning in our fight against the terrorists.”

Excellent analysis of events with historical insight and perspective. Victor never disappoints and always leaves the reader looking for more.