Ep 219: Stephen Platt on Mao's China and the Original Marine Raider

In 'War Is a Racket,' Smedley D. Butler offers a searing indictment of the true, profit-driven nature of warfare. Having seen the gruesome realities of combat firsthand, Butler unveils a shocking exposé on how wars are deliberately fomented to line the pockets of the elite. He challenges the noble façades often wrapped around military conflicts and invites readers to question the motives behind global battles. The book highlights how the business of war thrives on the sacrifices of soldiers and taxpayers, benefiting powerful industrialists and corporations. Butler also examines the intricate connections between government officials and major corporations that drive war policies for financial gain.

Published in 1841, 'Self-Reliance' is one of Ralph Waldo Emerson's most famous essays. It advocates for individualism, urging readers to trust their own unique powers and intuition rather than conforming to societal norms. Emerson argues that true happiness and fulfillment come from living an authentic, self-reliant life, free from the pressures of conformity and institutionalized religion. The essay is a cornerstone of Transcendentalist philosophy, emphasizing themes such as nonconformity, the authority of the individual, and the importance of personal growth and self-trust.

The Winds of War is a historical novel by Herman Wouk, published in 1971. The book focuses on the Henry family, particularly Victor 'Pug' Henry, a Naval Officer and confidant of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The story spans from six months before Germany's invasion of Poland in September 1939 to the United States' entry into the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The novel interweaves the lives of the fictional Henry family with real historical figures and events, providing a detailed and realistic portrayal of the early years of World War II. It also includes a subplot from the perspective of German General Armin von Roon, offering insights into the German side of the war.

Red Star Over China is a historical account written by Edgar Snow after he spent four months with the Chinese Communist leaders in 1936. The book provides the first authorized account of Mao Zedong's life, a history of the famous Long March, and insights into the men and women responsible for the Chinese revolution. It includes extensive notes on military and political developments in China, further interviews with Mao, a chronology covering 125 years of Chinese revolution, and detailed biographies of key figures. The book is significant for its unique perspective on the early years of Chinese communism and its prophetic insights into the future of the movement.

The Raider by Stephen R. Platt tells the story of Evans Carlson, a controversial Marine Corps officer who commanded America's first special forces during World War II. Carlson's life was marked by his involvement with Chinese communist forces and his role in introducing guerrilla tactics to the U.S. military. The book explores Carlson's exploits and the cultural misunderstandings that shaped U.S. -China relations.

War and Remembrance is the sequel to Herman Wouk's 'The Winds of War' and completes the cycle of the Henry family's experiences during World War II. The novel delves into historical events such as the battles at Midway, Yalta, Guadalcanal, and El Alamein, as well as the Allied invasions of Normandy and the Philippines. It also explores the personal struggles and transformations of the characters, particularly the rediscovery of Jewish identity by Aaron Jastrow and his niece Natalie Henry amidst the horrors of the Holocaust. The book is known for its meticulous historical detail and its emotional impact on readers, capturing the drama, romance, heroism, and tragedy of World War II through the lens of a single American family.