A list of all of Doc Werlin’s writings pertaining to history.
Until the 2016 Trump election, most of us thought that polling techniques had improved so much that we could confidently predict presidential outcomes. We assumed that Harry Truman’s surprise victory over Thomas Dewey was not [...]
By David Kirkpatrick and David Singer NY Times Summary (Both David Kirkpatrick and David Singer are well respected journalists) In today’s New York Times, the article highlighted that Iran will breach the limits on uranium [...]
The observance of the 75th anniversary of D-Day has deservedly caused universal celebration. Winston Churchill articulated the importance of defeating Hitler. It prevented us from “sinking into the abyss of a new Dark Age.” [...]
The past few days have at one level been exhilarating. For Western leaders to celebrate the success of the greatest seaborne invasion in history is memorable in it self. Moreover, while only 4% of the [...]
Over the past few years, there have been major attempts to recast our image of the American Civil War. I am supportive of many of these efforts. Specifically, rather than focus on Civil War Battles, [...]
I recently reread this classic and happily can report that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Halberstam made an interesting comment. When we think of the 50’s, we have an image of a black and white society [...]
My father was educated in a one-room schoolhouse in Pearland, Texas. While certain deficiencies particularly in mathematics and foreign languages arose from such a rudimentary background, other excellent disciplines were instilled. In particular a strong [...]
By Lynne Olson Personal Thoughts For me, the struggle against Fascism represented the clearest example of good versus evil. I would have loved to have actively participated on the side of those who favored [...]
Because this book is so focused on a single, but pivotal year, I am hesitant to recommend it. That is, one has to be a committed World War II Buff to enjoy it. Richard Moe, [...]
The New York Times reported today that anti-Semitism and racial divide has split the women’s movement so badly that it undermines its effectiveness. Vanessa Wruble, a Jewish Brooklyn based activist, was pushed out of the [...]
I had not thought about homes and businesses not using energy until a good friend of mine sent me an article about his housing development that has an energy free environment. Today, there was an [...]
Overview Following the Civil War the United States and Great Britain were loggerheads over damages to America by ships built in Britain for use by the Confederate Navy to destroy American merchant marine ships. The [...]
At a friend’s suggestion, I am watching Netflix’s production of Viceroy’s House. The production focuses on the Last Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, and the independence of Pakistan and India. The loss of India, the [...]
Five Days in London, May 1940 By John Lukacs The days from May 24 to May 28, 1940, altered the course of the history of this century, as the members of the British War Cabinet [...]
Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in its Darkest, Finest Hour By Lynne Olsen As he spoke in his last interview Eric Sevareid fought to keep his voice steady. At the end [...]
By Lynne Olson Eloise bought me the wonderful book for Father’s Day. The book, Troublesome Young Men, focuses on some twenty to forty primarily young, rebellious Conservative Members of Parliament who started in 1936 at [...]
Few Americans in the twentieth century have left a greater legacy to world peace than George C. Marshall (1880-1959). As chief of staff of the United States Army during World War II, it fell [...]
The Ku Klux Klan Act represented a major civil right accomplishment of President Ulysses Grant. That is, by 1871 the racist ideology that was prevalent in both North and South undermined efforts to protect [...]
“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.” -Martin Luther King August 28, 1963 Introduction: The election of a Democrat to the Senate [...]
Introduction I am reading Ron Chernow’s Biography of Ulysses Grant. Needless to say, this biography provides a fantastic positive insight into one of America’s greatest generals. While Grant suffered from alcoholic demons, he possessed incredible [...]
President Trump told Israeli and Arab leaders today that he plans to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. According to the New York Times this will upset efforts to broker peace between Israel and [...]
by David Satter David Satter commented that 100 hundred years ago this week armed Bolsheviks seized the Winter Palace in Petrograd, arrested ministers of Russia’s provisional government and set in motion events that will kill [...]
I have learned a lot about the role of Great Britain and the United States during the Civil War from a Book, A World On Fire. In discussing the United States, we must recognize the [...]
By James Giblin I enjoyed this book thoroughly. This book focuses on the Red Scare and the role by Senator Joseph McCarthy in creating it. Although McCarthy pursued his anti-Communist crusade with a zeal, he [...]
“Henry Ford influenced more lives than any man alive. It will take a hundred years to tell whether you have helped us or hurt us, but you certainly did not leave us like you found [...]
Honoring Hugh Lynch (My Brother-in-Law) 1962-1969 Introduction Ho Chi Minh (Founder of Vietnamese Communist Party) Over the next few days Public Broadcasting will air Ken Burns’ Documentary on the Vietnam War. In recognition of that [...]
By Simon Goodman The Orpheus Clock The title of Goodman’s book derives from one of his families prized heirlooms—The Orpheus Clock—that was not recovered by his family until some 70 years following World War [...]
For Jews, Israel is a Homeland Whether you travel East or West The Road to Home is Always Best Saying on a Plaque at my boyhood home Wailing Wall Temple Mount, Dome of the [...]
Dear Sidney: Because of you, I saw a wonderful movie. I shared my thoughts with friends. Doc I would like to encourage you to see the movie, Denial. The movie is based upon the acclaimed [...]
By Andrew Nagorski My sister, (Joella Werlin) knowing of my ongoing interest in World War II, sent me, The Nazi Hunters. While the book was not easy reading, it did provide me some interesting insights [...]
The British referendum on June 23, in which 52 percent of the public voted to exit the Eurozone, remains a very contentious topic throughout the continent. It is easily the most consequential vote in Europe [...]
Introduction The British referendum on June 23rd, where 52% of their public voted to exit the Eurozone, remains a very contentious topic throughout the continent. To put in perspective, this vote is easily the most [...]
Dennis Ross, a senior United States policy makers through four recent Well, yes, as a matter of fact; how about the diplomat who has devoted his professional life to trying to bring about that peace, [...]
Mixing shrewd diplomacy with defiance of U.N. resolutions, Iran has turned the negotiation on its head. By HENRY KISSINGER And GEORGE P. SHULTZ Former Secretaries of State—Henry Kissinger and George Shultz—wrote an editorial in today’s [...]
By John Lukacs I am already starting work for my upcoming class on Modern American History which will begin in January 2016. Our first few lectures will be on World War II—the war that saved [...]
Introduction: In my judgment (1) the abhorrent treatment of Jews following the end of World War II both in displaced persons’ camps or in their native countries such as Poland, Rumania, and Germany, (2) the [...]
