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Here's a review: "I would not recommend this as an authoritative source of history regarding the actual political scene of different countries in the inter-war period. Many positions taken by the author are only supported by conclusory statements, without any citations provided to support his positions. In particular, a number of positions taken (e.g., a conclusion that the Germans were bent on world domination) are supported only by anecdotal observations. The author also ignores certain inconvenient truths - e.g., ignoring the well-documented infusion of Soviet spies and Communist sympathizers in Franklin Roosevelt's administration while deriding the Congressional investigation into the same.
Further, the writing is quite pompous. The extensive use of French catch phrases (with no translations provided), extensive references to obscure literary and historical figures (with no reference as to who these figures are), many vague historical references, and a general overuse of words requiring reference to a dictionary, make this a difficult read. The author presumes too much of his audience. The author's demonstration of his admirable intellectual prowess does nothing to enhance the reading experience for us lowlifes who are not well-schooled in the literary, linguistic and historical arts. I like to read history to learn, not to be shown how ignorant I am. (And I like to think that I am relatively sophisticated, based on my education, 56 years of life experience, and somewhat extensive reading of history over the last 40 years.) The author further seems to delight in commenting on the presumed physical deficiencies (stature, girth, quirks, etc.) of different historical features, which really adds nothing to an understanding of these individuals.
So, an interesting read, but for any student of history supplemental reading on any particular item of interest covered by this tome is a must in order to get a less opinionated and fuller picture.'
I think I'll pass...
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