December 2007    

No Simple Victory: World War II in Europe, 1939-1945 Author: Norman Davies Publisher: New York, Viking $30.00 Cloth, (560 p.) ISBN: 9780670018321 B&T     MAJORS      YBP I will start this review with a story from the end of Norman Davies's new survey of World War II. He repeats a fairly well-known quote by Chou En-lai who, when asked in the 1950s about the impact of the French Revolution, perhaps apocryphally replied, "It's too early to tell." With only 65 years having passed between the end of the war and today, Mr. Davies feels the same way about history in general and World War II in particular and further feels that there is too little of the true nature of the war in Europe known to make a proper assessment. His new book, No Simple Victory, sets out to make a dent in what he sees as a lack of understanding of the war. And that, he feels, is merely the first step. He opens his book with a selection of questions, the actual answers to which show that few people really know what happened in the war and instead have relied on various myths which have grown up over time. He then proceeds to give a brisk and thorough survey of the war in Europe, puncturing holes in many of those myths until he makes his case. Six of the seven chapters in the book, titled Interpretation, Warfare, Politics, Soldiers, Civilians, and Portrayals provide insights with undeniable facts showing for example: That the United States joined the fray very late, though the importance of that contribution is undeniable. (World War II did not begin in 1941 and the true U.S. impact wasn't felt for at least a year after that.) That the major military contest was in Eastern Europe between the Soviets and the Germans. That politically there was a three-way struggle between fascism, communism, and liberal democracy and that imperialism heavily shaded the thinking of the democracies. That the idea of the "good war" is not borne out by reality. Then, in the seventh chapter, cleverly titled Inconclusion, Mr. Davies admits that along with Chou, he believes it is too early to tell but argues that even before anyone has time enough to gain true historical perspective, one needs the facts to work with. This book is a first step to gaining those facts. There is currently a spate of books on the Soviet ordeal and their contributions to World War II and since No Simple Victory seeks to redress what its author feels is a lack of proper emphasis on the Soviets and Eastern Europe in the struggle, this book would be a good first stop before reading those others which concentrate on the Soviet war or on particular of their battles. Even on its own, however, it is a very good re-evaluation and ought to be an eye-opening history for anyone, even for those who think they've got it down pat. -- Rob Norton Why Youth Is Not Wasted on the Young: Immaturity in Human Development Author: David F. Bjorklund Publisher: Wiley $74.95 Cloth (288 p.) ISBN: 9781405149518 B&T     MAJORS      YBP Child development was always my favorite topic when I was studying Early Childhood Education. Unfortunately, despite its relevance to educational practice, pediatrics, and other fields, child psychology researchers and ECE students and professionals sometimes seem to be the only people who delve deeply into this subject. Although I no longer work professionally with children, I am still interested in continuing my study of child development and advocating that others understand it, too. As a tool of advocacy, I don't know that I would hand out copies of "Why Youth is Not Wasted on the Young." Not because there is anything wrong with it, but because it is more of an academic treatment than a policy argument or otherwise aimed at convincing those approaching the subject without any background. On the other hand, this does not mean that you need advanced knowledge to appreciate Bjorklund's book. It is an approachable yet research-laden read on the virtues of childhood as a distinct developmental stage. His approach blends evolutionary biology theory with neuroscience and developmental psychology to argue that the immaturity of childhood is not only qualitatively different from other stages of life, but must necessarily be so for proper development. In other species the infancy stage is usually followed with a juvenile stage in which the young learn adult survival skills. Once they have mastered these skills, they have achieved the final stage of adulthood. Humans, however, have childhood and adolescence between infancy and adulthood because humans need this period for optimal development. It is precisely because of our extended juvenile period that we are able to develop the mental skills needed to function successfully as adults. The very behaviors considered signs of immaturity in children--egocentricity, "faulty" reasoning patterns, naïve optimism and self-confidence, etc.--serve adaptive functions in the processes of learning and development. After establishing his evolutionary argument for the value of childhood immaturity, Bjorklund applies it to both contemporary education practice and the social world of childhood. He is concerned that educational expectations and methods are not based on our understanding of what is appropriate for the developmental needs and abilities of children. Despite the need for education in order to become successful adults, children also need their childhood in order to optimize their development. And this is not just in terms of intellectual development. Socially, Bjorklund sees problems with the blurring of lines between children and adults. Children dressed in adult fashions, mimicking adult behaviors, and exposed to adult matters are being hurried into a realm which they are not mature enough to understand or navigate for themselves. There is no need to rush children into the world of adulthood, and it is only to their detriment, and ours, if we do. -- Angela Morgan Published by YBP Library Services 999 Maple St., Contoocook, NH 03229 USA v: 800.258.3774   f: 603.746.5628 w: www.ybp.com   e: academia@ybp.com All rights reserved.