Henry L. Stimson (1867–1950)

2785. On Active Service in Peace and War, by Henry L. Stimson and McGeorge Bundy (read 28 Sep 1995) This book was published in 1948. Stimson was Secretary of War under Taft, Secretary of State under Hoover, and again Secretary of War (under FDR) from July 1, 1940 to Sept 1945 . I should have read this book 45 years ago, but it has aged very, very well. I must say that what he says makes excellent sense and I believe he would say so today. See, e.g., this on page 651: "Whatever the ideological bases of Soviet policy, it seems clear that some at least of the leaders of Russia are men who have a marked respect for facts. We must make it wholly evident that a non-aggressive Russia will have nothing to fear from us. We must make it clear, too, that the Western non-communist world is going to survive in growing economic and political stability. If we can do this, then slowly--but perhaps less slowly than we now believe--the Russian leaders may either change their minds or lose their jobs." I think we were exceptionally fortunate to have Stimson as Secretary of War during World War II.… (más)