In this groundbreaking cultural analysis of the superweapon in American society, H. Bruce Franklin explores a pattern of thought that has beguiled Americans since the 18th century: the belief that miraculous new weapons will somehow end war and bring global triumph to American ideals. Franklin begins his analysis with Robert Fulton, who claimed that an Age of Reason--including an end to ignorance, poverty, and war--would be ushered in by his three "defensive" inventions: the submarine, the torpedo, and the steam warship. He ...
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In this groundbreaking cultural analysis of the superweapon in American society, H. Bruce Franklin explores a pattern of thought that has beguiled Americans since the 18th century: the belief that miraculous new weapons will somehow end war and bring global triumph to American ideals. Franklin begins his analysis with Robert Fulton, who claimed that an Age of Reason--including an end to ignorance, poverty, and war--would be ushered in by his three "defensive" inventions: the submarine, the torpedo, and the steam warship. He then traces this seductive idea as it weaves through American cultural artifacts, such as the flood of "future war" novels appearing between 1880 and World War I, the animated Disney feature "Victory Through Air Power", and a 1940 novel in which America uses atomic bombs to win World War II and establish a Pax Americana along the lines of the 1946 Baruch Plan. In all, Franklin explores over two hundred movies, stories, and novels, rediscovering obscure works that directly influenced later decision-making and brilliantly reinterpreting such modern classics as Catch 22 , Slaughterhouse Five , and Dr. Strangelove . More important, he shows how these cultural images shaped the imagination and public discourse responsible for the actual superweapons now looming over human destiny.
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Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $24.95, very good condition, Sold by Daedalus Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Portland, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by University of Massachusetts Press.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $29.32, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by Oxford University Press, USA.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $29.68, very good condition, Sold by Best and Fastest Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Wantage, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1988 by Oxford University Press, USA.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $33.75, good condition, Sold by Ground Zero Books, Ltd. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Silver Spring, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1988 by Oxford University Press.
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Seller's Description:
Good, good. 25 cm, 256, illus., edges somewhat soiled, some waviness to bottom text margin. This sweeping account of two centuries of American culture and history offers analysis of a pattern of thought that has beguiled Americans since the 18th century: the belief that new weapons will end war and bring triumph to American ideals.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $35.11, good condition, Sold by Anybook rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lincoln, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1988 by Oxford University Press.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 700grams, ISBN: 9780195052954.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $64.00, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Unknown Sponsor.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $70.30, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $70.77, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1988 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $96.37, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1988 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of War Stars: the Superweapon and the American Imagination to cart. $171.97, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1988 by Oxford University Press.
