A few years ago, a scholarly book with the provocative title “Hitler’s Willing Executioners” climbed to the top of U.S. bestseller lists. In part the book attracted attention because its author located the origins of the Nazi death camps in the German national character, in German history and in the specific nature of German anti-Semitism. What happened in Germany, he implied, could never happen anywhere else. Certainly it could never happen here. Continue reading “Willing Torturers”
The Washington Post Column
Preventive Medicine
Two weeks ago, a small Anglo-American biotech company announced that it had stopped recruiting volunteers for a set of clinical trials. On the face of it, that doesn’t sound like a homeland security issue for the U.S. government. Indeed, it doesn’t sound like any kind of issue for the U.S. government. Continue reading “Preventive Medicine”
Having It Both Ways
About five months ago, Colin Powell received an award named in honor of George C. Marshall, another American general who became secretary of state. In advance of that event, Powell indicated that he would like to give an interview to The Post — and told a Post reporter to read up on two incidents in Marshall’s career beforehand. Continue reading “Having It Both Ways”
The Literary Divide
Feeling dazed after an eventful day this week, I stumbled home and switched on my television. I’d just won an extremely grand book prize, and wanted — pathetically — to see whether one of those electronic tickers might be running the news. Continue reading “The Literary Divide”
A Man of Letters
“Good evening, I’m Alistair Cooke, and this is ‘Masterpiece Theater.’ ”
It was a Sunday evening in the mid-1970s. In Britain there were miners’ strikes, blackouts, and weeks without garbage collection. Sterling had collapsed, or was about to. Punk rock was in its early adolescence. The nation was gripped by post-imperial depression, and obsessed with its own decline. Continue reading “A Man of Letters”
Irish Lessons
In New York they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a parade, green beer and a lot of shamrocks. In this town, we do things differently. Continue reading “Irish Lessons”
Western Unity Takes a Hit
Do the Spanish elections matter? Even stating that question is, in an American political context, absurd: Of course they don’t. Spain is far away. The Spanish voters’ decision to throw out their government can’t possibly affect the U.S. elections. Continue reading “Western Unity Takes a Hit”
Russian Lesson
The campaigns are winding down; the polling booths are being readied for voters. The Russian authorities are engaged in a massive get-out-the-vote effort. By this time next week Russia will have a new president, or a reelected one. All seems to be well in Russia’s new democracy. Continue reading “Russian Lesson”
Pseudo-History Sells
Why has “The Passion of the Christ,” a film that has already set box office records, caused so much fuss in this country? By the standards of Hollywood, the film should have sparked no reaction at all. Continue reading “Pseudo-History Sells”
‘I Am Victim’
Sometimes in the course of a great American debate there comes a moment when the big battle guns fall silent, the pundits run out of breath, and — unexpectedly — the long, bitter argument suddenly turns into farce. Continue reading “‘I Am Victim’”