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HOW WAR CAME by  Kirkus Star

HOW WAR CAME

By

Pub Date: July 29th, 1942
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Here is the concentrated story of the tightrops of American diplomacy from 1940 to Pearl Harbor. With an eye for human interest in the anecdotal reporting of some of the most historic meetings of our day, with a good deal of information released here for the first time, the book has much that is news -- and much that is popular. It is a clean resume of our road to war, from wary discussion to blunt refusal, as Roosevelt, Hull, Bullitt, Winant and Leshy attempted to forestall involvement -- but would not stoop to appease. First in France, through its fall, America's prime objective was to salvage the fleet and the bases, and make a play for time. Then England, with the delicate destroyer deal as the first move to closer collaboration. South America, where the Havana conference successfully solved the problem of her export surpluses, which the Axis wanted. Aid to Russia -- and a scoop on the Oumansky -- Welles conferences. Japan, the wearing Hull-Nomura conversations, that ""long-range exercise in diplomatic futility"". The Atlantic Charter, Dakar, Africa, and the lesser issues in the very complicated world front which the war assumed. Lively, personalizing, clarifying. The publishers intend a White Paper market and sale. They will probably get it. The book has already had considerable advance mention in the press, authored as it is by two well known Washington reporters and inside-men.