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The Dream of Civilized Warfare World War I Flying Aces and the American Imagination Linda R. Robertson |
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$69.00 cloth/jacket |
A timely look at the link between air combat and the American self-image. Linda R. Robertson argues that the development of the United States as a global military power arose from the influence of an image of air combat carefully constructed during World War I to mask the sordid realities of modern ground warfare. The Dream of Civilized Warfare carries this trajectory to its logical end, tracing the long history of the American desire to exert the nation’s will throughout the world without having to risk the lives of ground soldiers—a theme that continues to reverberate in public discussions, media portrayals, and policy decisions today. Histories of American air power usually focus on World War II, when the air force became the foundation for the military strength of the United States. The equally fascinating story of World War I air combat is often relegated to a footnote, but it was the earlier war that first inspired the vision of the United States attaining dominance in world affairs through a massive air force. In The Dream of Civilized Warfare, Robertson presents the compelling story of the creation of the first American air force—and how, through the propaganda of the flying ace, a vision of “clean” or civilized combat was sold to politicians and the public. During World War I, air combat came to epitomize American ingenuity, technological superiority, adventure, leadership, and teamwork. Robertson reveals how the romantic and chivalric imagery associated with flying aces was a product of intentional propaganda and popular culture. Examining aviation history, military battles, films, literature, and political events, she looks at how the American public’s imagination was shaped—how flying aces offered not only a symbol of warfare in stark contrast to the muddy, brutal world of the trenches, but also a distraction to an American public resistant to both intervention in a European conflict and the new practice of conscription. “The Dream of Civilized Warfare fills a crying need for an approach to the history of military aviation that acknowledges the forces of social and cultural history.” —Military History “Robertson’s work is the rare examination of air power and its history and impact before World War II. Her portraits of either completely or partly forgotten heroes of the war, such as Rickenbacker, are very effective and original.” —In Flight USA “Linda Robertson tackles the origins of the ‘myth’ of air power, specifically as it relates to the American experience in the First World War. An interesting, worthwhile read.” —Relevance “Linda Robertson reiterates the major elements of these now standard arguments, but provides a fuller analysis, recasting them as a function of the relationship between the technology of the fighter airplane and the American society’s hopes for it. Well written and carefully thought out, Robertson’s book especially its first chapters, presents a convincing overview of the constructions involved in introducing a radically new weapon system to modern warfare. The Dream of Civilized Warfare provides an informative and innovative argument that should be of interest to historians in a variety of disciplines.” —Technology and Culture “There is much of interest here, particularly for students concerned with the birth of the air service and with the significance of the representation and cultural history of the first war in the air.” —American Historical Review “A valuable and informing book.” —Journal of American History “In this extraordinary study, Robertson traces the American air service from its inception during World War I through the second Gulf conflict and reveals how the romanticized myth of the flying ace was used to sell the vision of ‘clean’ or civilized combat to receptive politicians and a gullible public. The author laments that the mythos surrounding these aerial adventurers has been adopted by the current Bush administration, which has readily accepted massive strategic bombing in Afghanistan and Iraq as the only option to military stalemate, culminating in President Bush’s decision to land on the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln dressed as a combat pilot. A highly controversial yet stimulating book that demands to be read.” —Library Journal “Extremely interesting, fresh, and well-done. Recommended.” —Choice Linda R. Robertson is professor and director of the Media and Society program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. 408 pages | 18 halftones | 5 7/8 x 9 | 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2. “Did You Ever Buy a Pig in a Poke?” 3. A Matter of Class 5. Casus Belli 6. Civilized Warfare and the Gentleman-Knight 7. Mechanized Warfare and the Man 8. “The Man Is Alone” 9. The Sporting Life Part III. Death and Transfiguration 11. American Pilots as Symbols of American 12. Death Wears a Romantic Mask Epilogue: Democratizing War Notes |
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