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Search - Seven Mysteries Of Europe

Seven Mysteries Of Europe
Author: Jules Romains

SEVEN MYSTERIES OF EUROPE JULES ROMAINS Translated from the French by Germaine Bree NEW YOfl-ALFRED-A-KNOPF-ig4o S S5S5S5S 3 S5S5S535S CONTENTS Introduction 3 I. The Mystery of Daladier 11 II. The Mystery of Gamelin 44 III. The Mystery of Leopold III 82 IV. The English Mystery 115 V. The Nazi Mystery 149 VI. The Mystery of Ribbentrop and Co. 185... more » VII. Who Saved Fascism 214 SEVEN MYSTERIES OF EUROPE INTRODUCTION As YOU read my name on the title-page of this book, this is probably what you will say Here is a writer straight from Europe, bent on telling us all his pet theories as to the whys and wherefores of what has just happened over there. He may, even want to ex plain with great eloquence how the men in power should have used that power, how the nations should have chosen their leaders, and other splendid tales not entirely unfamiliar to us. Perhaps he wants to give us an account of the events which he, like thousands of others, has witnessed yes, we have heard about them too and which he experienced in his own per sonal way or he may have collected exciting anec dotes about the leading characters in the show, and is repeating them for our benefit. Anyway, we can take it or leave it, as we see fit. We are used to that kind of thing by now. Well, thats just what this book is not going to be. It will be something much more specific and occa INTRODUCTION sionally more dramatic. You will soon see why. The spectacle of the last World War filled me with horror. I came out of it with one conviction We must at all costs avoid any renewal of such atroci ties. Many people thought as I thought thinking, however, carries no obligation. But this is the vow I made, a solemn vow, though there were no witnesses but myself I swear I shall always do everything in my power to prevent the outbreak of another war. And, you wonder, who was I to make such a vow Let me give you some idea. I was still fairly young not much more than thirty I had published a few books and had already begun to make quite a name for myself in small literary circles in France and else where. What I said and did seemed of very little interest to the general public and gave the govern ment little concern. Try to visualize it in a film A young, more or less unknown French writer, walking by himself along the street, swears he will prevent the next world war. Touching, yes, but rather ridiculous. But the young man was not crazy. All that happens in the world incessantly proves that nothing important is ever done unless far-reaching plans are made long in ad vance, at a time when people would laugh if they heard of them. It all goes to prove, and more and more clearly, that, in the long run, the most improb INTRODUCTION able and ridiculous plans triumph over the reason able and moderate ones. The trouble is that we almost always find audacity in conception among gangsters and the enemies of mankind. I had also given much thought to the way the war had broken loose and to the part played in it by chance. I refused to believe that fatality can deter mine events. I was convinced that there is always room for an act of will and even of good will and that the problem lies in the use of the will at the time and in the spot when it can be effective, even if it has very limited means at its disposal. I could remember, for example, what an enormous effect Zolas T accuse had had in 1897 and I thought of the considerable influence this great writer would have exercised on European opinion, in the cause of peace, if he had been alive in the period between 1905 and 1914. But as I had a very practical imagination, I con sidered other forms of action, more personal and direct. I knew that public opinion is one of the great forces in modern society but one which can be misled by men with power and authority, who can distort its reactions and put obstacles in the way of those who wish to reach it...

ISBN-13: 9781406769463
ISBN-10: 1406769460
Publication Date: 3/15/2007
Pages: 256
Rating:

0 stars, based on 0 rating

Publisher: Sayani Press
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

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