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18th out of 27 books
—
12 voters
Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America's Imperial Dream
by
Gregg Jones (Goodreads Author)
On the eve of a new century, an up-and-coming Theodore Roosevelt set out to transform the U.S. into a major world power. The Spanish-American War would forever change America's standing in global affairs, and drive the young nation into its own imperial showdown in the Philippines.
From Admiral George Dewey's legendary naval victory in Manila Bay to the Rough Riders' heroic...more
From Admiral George Dewey's legendary naval victory in Manila Bay to the Rough Riders' heroic...more
Hardcover, 448 pages
Published
February 7th 2012
by NAL Hardcover
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A GOOD READS GIVEAWAY WIN Excellent history of the rise of the Marines and American imperialism as well as the use and abuse of military power at the turn of the century under President Teddy Roosevelt during the war in the Philippines. Interesting parallels can be made to the invasion and aftermath of George Bush's preemptive war with Iraq, especially the abuse and torture of the enemy by American troops.
Water torture was a big controversy back in Teddy Roosevelt's invasion of the Philippines...more
Water torture was a big controversy back in Teddy Roosevelt's invasion of the Philippines...more
(Another FirstReads win!).
"You can't put down a rebellion by throwing confetti and sprinkling perfumery," General Lloyd Wheaton offered in 1900 in rebuttal to protests from anti-imperialists over reports of abuses by U.S. troops in the Philippines. But this was not a rebellion. The American Philippine adventure turned quickly from emancipation of the islands from the Spanish to a take-over. In doing so, America crushed the Filipino independence movement and became the very evil we said we were f...more
"You can't put down a rebellion by throwing confetti and sprinkling perfumery," General Lloyd Wheaton offered in 1900 in rebuttal to protests from anti-imperialists over reports of abuses by U.S. troops in the Philippines. But this was not a rebellion. The American Philippine adventure turned quickly from emancipation of the islands from the Spanish to a take-over. In doing so, America crushed the Filipino independence movement and became the very evil we said we were f...more
This is a book review of "Honor in the Dust" written by Greg Jones.
I like to browse the new books in the book aisle at Costco, while my wife does her grocery shopping. When I saw that this was a book about Theodore Roosevelt, I was immediately interested in buying it. I find him to be a fascinating and inspirational character and have read other biographies about him. Although some of the book is directly related to my favorite president, the majority of the book is a detailed wartime account of...more
I like to browse the new books in the book aisle at Costco, while my wife does her grocery shopping. When I saw that this was a book about Theodore Roosevelt, I was immediately interested in buying it. I find him to be a fascinating and inspirational character and have read other biographies about him. Although some of the book is directly related to my favorite president, the majority of the book is a detailed wartime account of...more
Teddy Roosevelt is the 'main character' of this work, however, other individuals receive a little more than cursory treatment. Some of these are individuals we have heard about before e.g. Elihu Root, Henry Cabot Lodge, George Dewey. Others are not often mentioned in history books e.g. George Frisbie Hoar. Minor characters, e.g. some average soldiers receive a few paragraphs of background.
The first half of the book covers the lead up to the Spanish-American War and parts of the conflict. After t...more
The first half of the book covers the lead up to the Spanish-American War and parts of the conflict. After t...more
This was an history of America at one or her greatest and worst hours, pitting "Manifest Destiny" against the horrors of Expansionism and the virtue of disclosure against the practicality of successful management of political and military resources.
the central Character of this struggle was Theodore Roosevelt, who led the America and her "imperialists" to war in Cuba and the Phillipines. A man who was rightly accused of burying secrets in the cellar by his enemies " the Democrats and the Isolati...more
Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America's Imperial Dream
This is a honey of a book: brisk, entertaining, surprising, and alarmingly topical. (Clearly, the folks who brougt you Guantamamo did not remember the MAINE.) Plus you learn how we got Guantanamo in the first place.
Jones spent decades mining original sources, and there are new nuggets on every page. But his research is so cleverly integrated into his narrative that Honor in the Dust i...more
This is a honey of a book: brisk, entertaining, surprising, and alarmingly topical. (Clearly, the folks who brougt you Guantamamo did not remember the MAINE.) Plus you learn how we got Guantanamo in the first place.
Jones spent decades mining original sources, and there are new nuggets on every page. But his research is so cleverly integrated into his narrative that Honor in the Dust i...more
Great book on the U.S. war on the people of the Philippines. I appreciate the stories of the ordinary people involved as well as the still-famous war criminals like Theodore Roosevelt. It was easy to read but detailed, a rare feat. It is a amazing that in a democracy a small group of men could decide to grab an entire country and then bully everyone else into accepting and even glorifying what was clearly wrong.
My only critique is that Gregg Jones apparently did not have access to Conspiracy for...more
My only critique is that Gregg Jones apparently did not have access to Conspiracy for...more
Whenever we Americans hear of US troops acting beastly in some faraway land, we are shocked. We ask ourselves how could the good guys have strayed? Sadly, this well written book is a testament to humanity's ability to treat our fellow man with dehumanizing cruelty and contempt, no matter their country of origin.
Jones tells the story of the US conquest of the Philippines both from the battleground and the American political arena. US forces were sent there to kick out the Spanish during the Spani...more
Jones tells the story of the US conquest of the Philippines both from the battleground and the American political arena. US forces were sent there to kick out the Spanish during the Spani...more
I had been looking for books on the war we inflicted on the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century for some time. Finally came across this book in March 2013. So in the last month I focused my reading time on Gregg Jones book and found it a very good read. The title and picture has Teddy Roosevelt as the focus but I think this was for book sales and not necessarily the author's intent, since much of the book talks about the soldiers in the Philippines and not Roosevelt. Though the first sec...more
Investigative journalists have become some of our greatest historians with their shattering of the truth, through epic works. Recent history is again disturbed by reminders of The United States of America’s own dirty history of genocide, torture, and cover-ups, past and present, by yet another worthy investigative journalist, Gregg Jones, a Pulitzer Prize finalist. His triumphant historical work, Honor in the Dust, Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America’s Im...more
Feb 15, 2012
Kelly Knapp
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
history buffs, presidential buffs
Recommended to Kelly by:
my daughter
This well documented and researched book is beautifully written. Teddy Roosevelt has always been one of my favorite Presidents. However, I did not realize how instramental he was in the invasion of the phillipines. In addition, I had no idea that this big strong hunter and president was actually born small, sickly, and with terrible asthma.
This books shows how he decided what type of man he wanted to be and that he set his course to make his dreams come true. But some of those dreams took the Am...more
This books shows how he decided what type of man he wanted to be and that he set his course to make his dreams come true. But some of those dreams took the Am...more
Proper title might have been an American "Distant Mirror", as the description of tactics and events in bringing the Philippine resistance to heel in the early 20th century seems to track so scarily close to the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 21 century, from the booby trapped localities to the use of the "water cure"-now known as water boarding. I find myself rereading Edmund Morris on TR to see if Roosevelt's reelection chances in 1904 were as severely endangered by the P...more
Another rather shameful chapter in the history of American military.
I had read very little about the "Spanish American War" and the invasion of the Philippines before reading this book. What this book does not state is that, according to some figures, 200,000 Filipino people died as a result of this war. What struck me as I read this account was how many similarities there were with another war just a bit to the north and 65 years later. Many of the same tactics were used against the Vietnamese...more
I had read very little about the "Spanish American War" and the invasion of the Philippines before reading this book. What this book does not state is that, according to some figures, 200,000 Filipino people died as a result of this war. What struck me as I read this account was how many similarities there were with another war just a bit to the north and 65 years later. Many of the same tactics were used against the Vietnamese...more
I love Roosevelt books that take a look at a specific time period or aspect of his life. This one being in the context of our wars in Cuba and Philippines. Jones does give a very detailed and engaging look at both those battles in our time period. However, I felt we lost Roosevelt several times as details were given about Generals and other war heroes. This book will also be very special to my collection because the copy I bought at the bookstore doesn't have the title or authors name on the cov...more
Another interesting book on the little-told history of America's first years of colonizing the Philippines.
Told mainly from the American point of view, the book does not shy away from some of the not-so noble aspects of its efforts to "benevolently assimilate" the archipelago in the beginning of the 20th century. Realizing the potential strategic importance of the islands in the years to come, America spared little in trying to convert the Philippines and its people to what they considered a "c...more
Told mainly from the American point of view, the book does not shy away from some of the not-so noble aspects of its efforts to "benevolently assimilate" the archipelago in the beginning of the 20th century. Realizing the potential strategic importance of the islands in the years to come, America spared little in trying to convert the Philippines and its people to what they considered a "c...more
[from my review that appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, April 27, 2012].
George Santayana, the eminent Harvard philosophy professor, novelist, and poet is widely known for his prescient observation: “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” However, his lesser-known, but similarly poignant quote, “Only the dead have seen the end of war” is just as applicable in Gregg Jones’ extraordinary new history of America’s campaign for conquest of the Philippines, Honor in the...more
George Santayana, the eminent Harvard philosophy professor, novelist, and poet is widely known for his prescient observation: “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” However, his lesser-known, but similarly poignant quote, “Only the dead have seen the end of war” is just as applicable in Gregg Jones’ extraordinary new history of America’s campaign for conquest of the Philippines, Honor in the...more
Unlike many reviewers here, this book did not bring Afghanistan and other American adventures to mind, but a terrible sorrow for the Philippines, where I was born. I was by turns disgusted and shocked by the brutality of the forces who came to our islands and then afterwards, appalled that this terrible beginning to the 'special relationship' between our two countries has been forgotten - not just by Americans but by Filipinos. It is time to remember.
I feel this is a very good book on a subject I knew so little about. It starts with coverage of Teddy Roosevelt and how he got into office in Washington, D.C. He was part of the reason for the Spanish-American War.
But the main focus of the book is how the USA screwed over the Filipino nationalists who had been fighting the Spanish overlords. I felt it was a rather sad tale. Teddy did all he could to cover up the atrocities committed by the American Army.
Use of what we now call water boarding goe...more
But the main focus of the book is how the USA screwed over the Filipino nationalists who had been fighting the Spanish overlords. I felt it was a rather sad tale. Teddy did all he could to cover up the atrocities committed by the American Army.
Use of what we now call water boarding goe...more
It never ceases to amaze how often history repeats. This work about a often forgotten period of US history shows the dangers of the loss of humanity amidst the delusions of empire. The debate on torture from 1900-1902 echoes down through history to today. Jones's writing has a journalistic eye with a novelist's pacing. It just goes to show that those who do not study the mistakes of the past are oft condemned to repeat them.
I enjoyed learning something new, but I couldn't follow how it was written. He opens chapters with flashbacks to a torture scene or the beginning of a battle, then goes back for a biography of a military official, then explains the buildup to the scene, then starts all over again.
Very dense with names, dates, and battles. You will learn A LOT about a forgotten chapter in America's history, but I had to read this in less than a week for a class. It was an awful assignment and I would beg any teac...more
Very dense with names, dates, and battles. You will learn A LOT about a forgotten chapter in America's history, but I had to read this in less than a week for a class. It was an awful assignment and I would beg any teac...more
a new perspective on a person I've come to admire as one of our more significant presidents. It has given me a different and more negative less flattering opinion of roosevelt as a person and leader. Our involvement in the spanish american war (ie., Cuba and the3 Philipines) is as bad a blight on our great military history as that of the U.S.' involvement in Vietnam and Iraq.
Dec 31, 2011
Suzie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
contest-wins,
2011,
america,
history,
historical-non-fiction,
nonfiction,
paper-back-book,
political,
war-stories
The book was a Goodreads.com First Read contest win.
Great book about the history of 2 separate wars America fought. The Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. This book even goes into detail about how Guantanamo was started. This author did his research very well. He included notes and a bibliography for each chapter of the book citing where he got the information. I was very impressed.
This is a great read for any one interested in war history.
The bunnies and I give this book4-Ca...more
Great book about the history of 2 separate wars America fought. The Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. This book even goes into detail about how Guantanamo was started. This author did his research very well. He included notes and a bibliography for each chapter of the book citing where he got the information. I was very impressed.
This is a great read for any one interested in war history.
The bunnies and I give this book4-Ca...more
Jan 14, 2012
Jtolan1
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
adults interested in history, politics, Phillipines, Asia
Recommended to Jtolan1 by:
Goodreads first read!!
Shelves:
first-reads,
history-american
Interesting and well-written, Honor in the Dust is a pleasure to read.
Easily accessible and engrossing, the author includes the right amount of factual background to help you understand the conflicting priorities and competitive pressures of the time. I felt I was really living this era, with an insider's access to what was happening. I also gained a depth of understanding about the colorful characters of the time, like Teddy Roosevelt.
This book is a great window on a pivotal period of U.S. his...more
Easily accessible and engrossing, the author includes the right amount of factual background to help you understand the conflicting priorities and competitive pressures of the time. I felt I was really living this era, with an insider's access to what was happening. I also gained a depth of understanding about the colorful characters of the time, like Teddy Roosevelt.
This book is a great window on a pivotal period of U.S. his...more
Most of this book flowed along like a good novel; both fascinating and gripping. We often say that, "The past is the past," but this book serves to remind us that we often revisit the same issues from our past again and again. Semi-popular foreign wars, allegations of abuses by US forces abroad that administrations try desperately to quickly cover up or find a scape goat for, and an American consciousness that is fleeting at best. This book really helped me to fill a void I had on the Philippine...more
An interesting read on something I knew little about and this book has enlighten me about the little unknown war in the Philippines in the early 1900's during Theodore Roosevelt's presidency.
The conquest of the Philippines was not the most glorious episode in our history, but it is one worth studying as a cautionary tale.
If you are American, you should never turn your back on a Phillipino because he is fully justified in sticking a knife in your back.
Very good book, especially when you think of the time when these events took place. There are many questions that were raised then that we see in our own time and in our own wars. They are the same questions that were raised 60 years before during the 1840s in the Mexican American War, pointing out that no matter the time or the war, there will always be the same questions. How far do you go pursuing your own agenda in a country where you originally went to to help its citizens. And most importa...more
Very well done and explained. Great book for information and it was still kept extremely interesting. Glad I read it.
This is the second book I've read about America's involvement in the
Philippines.Before reading this very fine book and The Moro War,I know
nothing of our country's battles against the Philippines.
Our soldiers tortured and brutalized the natives,with the approvals
of their superiors. The American press got winded of what was happening in the Philippines,but the punishment alittle more than a
slap on the wrist for a few of the miliatary leaders that were involved in the abuses and murder!
*Btb this w...more
Philippines.Before reading this very fine book and The Moro War,I know
nothing of our country's battles against the Philippines.
Our soldiers tortured and brutalized the natives,with the approvals
of their superiors. The American press got winded of what was happening in the Philippines,but the punishment alittle more than a
slap on the wrist for a few of the miliatary leaders that were involved in the abuses and murder!
*Btb this w...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Goodreads Librari...: Correction to publication date | 3 | 18 | Dec 18, 2011 11:05am |
A Missouri native, Gregg Jones was a Pulitzer-finalist investigative reporter and foreign correspondent before writing books full time. He has been a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His work has also appeared in the Washington Post and Boston Globe, as well as the British Guardian and Observer newspapers. After living in Bangkok, Manila...more
More about Gregg Jones...
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Dec 26, 2011 06:49pm