Andrew Jackson was noted for his swift action and swifter defense of his honor, not his speeches, but I like this one that I read on lunch today. I have also found and included a link to the full text of the speech, and a detailed site on Jackson, for anyone interested.

"Citizens! Your government has at last yielded to the impulse of the nation. Your impatience is no longer restrained. The hour of national vengeance is now at hand. The eternal enemies of American prosperity are again to be taught to respect your rights, after having been compelled to feel, once more, the power of your arms. War is on the point of breaking out between the United States and the King of Great Britain! and the martial host of America are summoned to the Tented Fields!...

"A simple invitation is given to the young men of the country to arm for their own and their countries rights. On this invitation 50,000 volunteers, full of martial ardor, indignant at their countries wrongs and burning with impatience to illustrate their names by some signal exploit, are expected to repair to the national standard.

"Could it be otherwise? Could the general government deemit necessary to force us to take the field? We, who for so many years have demanded a war with such clamourous importunity - who, in so many resolutions of town meetings and legislative assemblies, have offered our lives and fortunes for the defense of our country - who, so often and so publickly, have charged this very government with a pusillanimous deference to foreign nations, because she had resolved to exhaust the arts of negotiation before she made her last appeal to the power of arms. Under such circumstances it was impossible for the government to conceive that compulsion would be wanting to bring us into the field...

For about the last year an odd crisis has been popping up in the science headlines. Honeybees are disappearing. Hives will very quickly go from healthy to empty. A variety of theorieshave been put forward. About 6 months ago I read an article that confidently claimed that signals from cell phone towers was disrupting the bees sense of direction and they just got lost and died. More recently I read about a type of virus that has begun to be found that came off of bees that were imported from abroad (Australia?) though i forget exactly where. I am not particuarly found of bees. I have been stung as have most people. As kids we panic when they fly near (and some adults too) and scare them into defending themselves. Wether I like to have one near by or not, I do rely on them, as do we all. For honey of course, as a direct product., but more importantly as a pollen carrier. Bees are the largest part of the polination process between plants and flowers. It can be done by hand in a very tedious fashion, and also happens to some extent through air transferral, but bees do it much more efficiently. They are vital to agriculture.

A couple days ago, I heard for the first time about another major enviromental concern. Bat colonies are dying in the appalachian mountains. Again... several theroies were put forward, from changing climate altering there hibernation habits, to a fungus being found in their caves and on their bodies. Given the expansion pattern of the affected area, I could very readily believe in the gradual expansion and transmission of a new variety of fungus. And again... not really fond of bats, but we rely on them almost as much as bees in the eco-system. Bats are the primary predator of flying insects and as such help control the insect population and protect crops and people.

In both cases the causes could be both natural and/or manmade, and often really can't be determined or fixed. There are many people investigating both of these things and hundreds of other events like them and they will do what they can to find solutions. The one thing that I take from this is that the eco-system is strained. Large complex systems overlap in unseen places, and one change can cause seemingly unrelated things to react, and perhaps to fail. What we do know is that if a complex system begins to fail, it usually does so in an extremely fast and spectacular fashion. One area that fails strains dozens more and causes a new failure, and so on, creating a domino or cascade effect that destroy the whole system. And afterwards, new systems grow where the old once were. It is the time inbetween that is the problem.

Overall Rating:  (5 of 5)

This would actually be the best book to read first in the series, because it details the formation of the Third reich and Hitlers rise to power. It covers some of the early history but really begins with Hitlers release from prison (he was convicted for his involvment in the Beer Hall Putsch) and decision to take control of the German government through politics instead of revolution. It does return to his youth in Austria and other prior events, but only briefly to provide context.

Hitler, while not viewed as a powerful man until right before becoming chancellor, already had a polarizing effect on those around him. He did not in any way hide his intentions, stating them explicetly in Mien Kampf and to individuals. This is show by this qoute from a police report cited in the book. "Hitler will, because of his energy, again become a driving force of new and serious public riots and a menace to the security of the state".

The book is very purposely called "Storming to Power" as a reference to the SA Stormtroopers that were a major part of Hitlers strategy for gaining influence. The Stormtroopers themselves thought they were working towards a military style coup and would be the appointed leaders in the military high command after it took place. Hitler let them believe that while using them in a different manner. He used them to imitidate others groups (particuarly the communists) and to disrupt programs of the government so that he could claim they were not effective. By goading them to constantly fight in the streets he turned a militant group into a form of highly visible propaganda. This is very similar to the way various factions and groups are operating against the government in Iraq today, with similar results. Eventually the nazis gained enough strength in the Reichstag for Hitler to be included in the government, and then stuningly seize complete power even though the Nazi party was far from the majority.

Hitler was Austrian by birth. He did however serve in the German army in World War One. Citing this and other reasons he renounced his Austrian citizenship and actually had no nationality for a number of years.

The Good: Very effective at showing the circumstances that allowed hitler to gain power and the methods he used. It does a great job of showing how narrow a margin there almost always was between his success and failure. Even when he became the Chancellor of Germany it was not with a majority Nazi party vote, but as a compromise by well meaning men who believed they could manage or control him. This book really helps to complete ones knowledge of the situation and circumstances surrounding germany.

The Bad: The editing is characteristic of this series. One section on the Arts has some odd layout choices that I feel disrupt more then they add in feel.

The Ugly: Hitler in Lederhosen. The man had a serious case of White Man's Legs.

The second major historical event this week is the declaration by Kosovo of independence. A great milestone for the people of Kosovo, but it is the reactions of other nations that is the most remarkable, and perhaps precedent setting.

In the United States we often forget that we are not the only nation the has broken away from their parent country, infact the changing of the status of countries and of borders is really very common. The remarkable part of the American revolution was not the seperation from England, but the establishment of a republican system of government at the same time. Infact, gaining independence is almost a universal theme for the countries of the Americas. The now famous Monroe Doctrine was in fact part of the growing recognition of the indepentent governments and nations of South America as they broke away from Spain. World War I and II both redrew the maps of nations on an immense scale, including the now independent Kosovo which was Made a part of Yugoslavia.

So what is different here? The speed of Kosovo's recognition by a large and influential number of nations and the protection it enjoys from the same. The United States fought for several years AFTER its Declaration of Independence before receiving that recognition. The South American countries were effectively independent for over 20 years before the Monroe Doctrine and American recognition was given. India petitioned for independence from England for decades. There would have been no thought of recognition of Kosovo ten years ago, in the middle of the Serbian civil war. But at that time Kosovo gained the protection of NATO to stop the warfare and has since then been operating indepently under that protection. The speed of Kosovos recognition is because it is simply a formal recognition of the status that already exists, and will allow them to take over, in time, the protection of themselves, relieving the NATO coutries of that burden.

But not every country agrees. Notably Russia has loudly protested. China is probably not to happy either. Both nations have provinces that are or are seeking independence. If Kosovo can declare independence, why not Checnya? Why not Taiwan or even a liberation of Tibet? how about the Kashmir which is being fought over by Pakistan and India. Or perhaps the strongest case of all...Kurdistan. The Kurds in northern Iraq would not even fly the Iraqi flag because of resentment towards the former government. They also have a large ethnic population under the control of neighborring Turkey. They have put forward proposals of both independence and American Statehood with mixed support.

Checnya...is landlocked within Russia, completely surrounded and outside of anyone elses ability to assist or acknowledge. Tibet is to small and China to large for anyone to seriously press for their independence. The Kashmir is ethnically divided. Don't look for changes in these areas soon.

The Kurds...I don't know why it hasn't been considered more strongly. It was a part of Iraq, sure. But borders change, and always have in that region. if they want an independent state, and it would be stable, then I think it should be encouraged. But thats just me. And Tawain? Our recognition should have come years ago. We already treat them as independent, negotiate with them, they have their own defense forces, a stable government. They are an independent state in every sense. If we are willing to recognize Kosovo then why not Taiwan? Yeah, I know...China. But the precedent has been set more strongly then ever.

The first of what I believe to be major events this last week. After 50 years of ruling Cuba as a dictator (some would say tyrant, but I don't agree with that) Fidel Castro has officially stepped down in favor of his brother. This has been coming for awhile. Several health related issues have made the news for Castro in the last several years, most notably his loss of balance and fall from the stage after a speech a few years ago. It has been know that his brother had already taken most of the tasks of leadership over, so in some ways this is a formality. The question of course, is what happens to Cuba now.

In the short term? Not much. Very few policies will change, either internally in Cuba, or internationally towards them. As I noted above, Castro's brother already has been running the country. It would not surprise me for there to be several small symbolic changes. A few dissidents changed, or minor changes in trade relations to help create independent authority for the new regime, but it won't be much.

In the long term? I think in a few years we will see a lot begin to happen internally in Cuba to challenge the new regime. Castro's age and frailty have been know, and I expect have been prepared for. Individuals and groups ready to fight for change in Cuba have probably been waiting for this for several years and will now feel free to act. The "hero" figure that Fidel Castro had become personally was near impervious to political opponents. I don't think the new regime will be able to maintain the same reputation, and we will begin seeing strong opposition soon. Image is everything. Fidel Castro had it. His brother does not. There will be changes. Hopefully for the good.Perhaps an open, republican Cuba within ten years? But it will have to come from within, through the desire of the people of Cuba. "Nation Building" will only strengthen opponents of democratic systems and help them to maintain a dictatorship.

Overall Rating: 5 (of 5)

This volume deals with the German campaigns in the spring of 1941 into Yugoslavia, Greece, and Crete. There is not quite as much in the way of operational maps, but that is simply due to the greater simplicity of the campaigns and the more restricted areas they dealt with. It also looks at the political dealings of Germany with Rumania, Bulgaria and the remainder of the Balkans.

Hitler was not actually concerned about conquering the Balkans as long as they were stable and would continue to supply Germany with resources, in particular, oil from Rumania. He initially had no plans to invade the region but was working to build alliances to allow him to begin the war with Russia. Italy's failing invasion of Greece and a personal insult from new leadership in Yugoslavia prompted his quick change in plans.

After months of strong political pressure, the leader of Yugoslavia agreed to allow Germany to move troops through his country and recognized the Tri-partate Act. This caused a coup in his coutry in defiance of his decision. Only weeks later the successful new government came to the same conclusion as the former King, and accepted the treaty that they had rebeled over. It did not matter, because a now angry Hitler invaded anyways, completly taking the country in a few weeks.

Trapped and cut-off in Albania, the greek 1st Army surrendered. They did so to a mid-ranked officer who was quick to sit down and work out the arrangements. Infact, aides had to find the commanders from both side later to formally sign the documants. A higher ranked german officer felt the papers were not detailed enough...the Greeks surrendered again. Italy protested, beliving they should be involved, and so the Greeks complied, and surrendered a third time.

The Good: Great photo-essays on the assaults on the greek mountain defenses, german paratrooper doctrine and training, and the surrender of the Greek first Army (as above). Great detail on all three campaigns.

The Bad: Not much. Placement of the photo essays still causes you to flip back and forth a bit.

The Ugly: German Paratroop landings on Crete. The German doctrine had troops landing lightly armed and the battle plans had them close to enemy positions and at several different locations. The initial losses were not just severe, but devastating. Had British forces realized how weak the remaining german units were, they could have counterattacked in force and destroyed them before they were reinforced.

This volume of the set dealt with the German attacks in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Belgium, Luxumberg, and France. Based on the title I had expected a more general volume detailing tactics and organization of the Blitzkrieg, including the attack into Poland. This is not the case. It goes almost entirely in a chronological order from the spring of 1940 to the fall of France, and then deals somewhat with the Battle of Britian. All very familiar ground to anyone who studies WWII.

While the German Panzers were to become legendary, and would be the strongest mid war armor, at this stage in the war they were still much weaker then what we commonly think of. They were lighter, and had a much smaller main gun. It was their mobility and speed, in coordination with air support that was their main strength. In several engagements with with older French Char B tanks the German armor was unable to damage them took heavy losses. One such engagement invloved Charles DeGaulle. Due to slow decision making and poor intelligence, the french never brought a large concentrated force of these tanks into the fight in one place at one time.

Germany actually landed Airborne troops in gliders on the roofs (similar in size and appearance to pastures) of several massive Dutch forts.

Many critcize the decision by the German High Command to delay before sending in tanks at Dunkirk. This book looks at some of the maintenance and logistical concerns being experienced by the Panzer Divisions after several weeks of hard combat. Most of the Panzer Divisions were operating below half strength, not from combat losses, but from a need for time to make repairs.

The Good: Operational maps and photos. The maps are detailed and do a great job of showing battle progress and positions.

The Bad: Scandinavia and the Battle of Britain....they are like poor bookends on the main focus of the book, the assualt into France. Neither is given enough detail or room and would be better dealt with seperately.

The Ugly: Dunkirk of course. And you never hear many good comments about the Allied defenders, and that is with fairly good reason. One typical example is of a a French General being given overall command and being so unaware of how quickly the Germans had advanced that he drove straight into them and was captured before he ever reached his new headquarters.

Overall Rating: 4 1/2(out of 5)

This volume of the set dealt with the internal social programs of the Third Reich. Propaganda, The Hitler Youth, labor and party organization, and other internal groups and people. As with all of these volumes there is a stunning amount of quality photo-journalism. Explanations of the various programs are accompanied by images and documantation of emblems, badges, knives, posters, flags and other accessories used by the Nazi's to surround the German people with a new culture and secure their loyalty by the preceptions they maintained and dogma they preached. It also shows that these groups and the power structure of the Third Reich were very innefficient and had to rely on coercion and deciet to maintain their strength.

The initial design and production of Volkswagons was prompted by a Nazi program that allowed workers to make payments out of each check to add to a stamp book towards getting a car. Combined with the construction of the Autobahn and other freeways, it was supposed to give the German people the highest numbers of cars per capita, and make them "free" to go anywhere. Instead, the cars were diverted to military use as staff cars when the war began.

The change in the educational standards under the Third Reich emphasized physical achievment over traditional study, and was so damaging to the learning of students that most entering colledge were not qualified and were placed in remidial courses for up to two years. If old admissions standards had been maintained the colledge enrollment would have been barely half their capacity.

Hitler, as a way of balancing the power of those below him, would create multiple organizations that did almost the same thing. Anytime he felt someone was gaining greater influence, he would simply create a new group or organization and promote someone to head that would be able to draw away some of the power and authority. Even Goebells was restrained in this way, as other groups shared censorship and propaganda duties that partially mirrored his own.

The Good: Almost everything. Covers a lot of topics not often talked about. Barely even mentions the military directly.

The Bad:Some editing and arrangement issues. Photo essays will begin in the middle of chapters interrupting them for 4 or 5 pages. You find yourself going back and forth a little bit to read around them. This seems to be common to the series.

The Ugly: Goebbels. Short, of small stature, with a deformed leg, he certainly was not an example of Hitler's ideal german.

I loved to read and already had an interest in history and World War II as I was growing up and going through highschool. I remember doing a bookreport as early as 4th grade on The Sinking of the Bismark. The school library had a large selection of the Time-Life WWII collectors book set. These sets, by design are not as in depth or detailed as more scholarly books, gave a great overview of the events of war and battles, high qualty photos and maps , and enough personal detail on individuals to really maintain your interest. As I have gotten older, I find I still enjoy them and have begun to search for them to add them to my personal collection. So, it was much to my suprise and delight a few weeks ago while I was Christmas shopping, that I saw an almost complete set (18 of the 21 volumes) of the Time-Life series The Third Reich. This is a more specialized series that followed the WWII books. The set was up high and had likely been overlooked by many people, because they had marked it down to only $45. I wasn't able to buy it that day, but went back soon after, and it now sits next to my 6 volume set by Winston Churchill. I just finished my third volume today, and will put a review up of each volume as I finish it.