Guernica and Total War

Reviews / Votes

Patterson has written a rich and engaging study... A slim book of considerable rewards. -- Jeffrey Burke * Bloomberg.com * What makes this work particularly interesting is Patterson's effort to place the attack within the broader context of modern aerial warfare. How have nations' standards and attitudes evolved in their views regarding the acceptability of attacks upon civilians? How have governments reacted when accused of unwarranted attacks from the air? Most importantly, how have the potential victims responded to the constant fear that death and destruction could rain down upon them with little or no warning? Patterson writes in a clear, cogent style and handles these emotionally charged topics with necessary objectivity. Unfortunately, these are issues we are likely to be confronted with on a regular basis in this age of global terrorism. -- Jay Freeman * Booklist * A short but piercing account of the 1937 bombing of the Basque town that Picasso's painting helped turn into an image of total war (or war by obliteration of whole civilian populations). The book's strength is its incisive treatment of the post-Guernica literary reaction to bombardment. -- J. Daley * Choice * This is potent stuff. Guernica symbolizes the ethical dilemma of modern warfare. Patterson is a masterful storyteller, who seeks to convey the experience of 'the sky falling on one's head.' He offers profound historical reflections as well as a thoughtful meditation on our own times. -- Joanna Bourke, Professor of History, Birkbeck College