A book review of 'The Escape Artist,' which tells the story of Rudolf Vrba's escape from Auschwitz and his failed attempt to stop the Holocaust by warning European Jews, ultimately exploring human denial in the face of unimaginable horrors. Longer summary

This book review examines 'The Escape Artist' by Jonathan Freedland, which tells the true story of Rudolf Vrba (born Walter Rosenberg), one of the few Jews to escape from Auschwitz. The review traces Vrba's journey from volunteering for transport to Auschwitz, through his two years there learning about the systematic murder happening in the gas chambers, to his meticulously planned escape with Fred Wetzler in April 1944. However, the second half of the story reveals a bitter disappointment: despite producing the detailed Vrba-Wetzler Report documenting the Holocaust, Vrba fails in his larger mission to warn European Jews in time, as Jewish councils, Allied governments, and potential victims either don't believe the warnings, suppress them, or refuse to act. The review argues this is an anti-redemptive Holocaust narrative whose true antagonist is human nature's tendency toward denial when confronted with the unthinkable, and concludes with reflections on how this same dynamic continues today. Shorter summary

Through the lens of instant mashed potatoes, the author explores how modern society creates inferior imitations of real things, and what we lose by accepting these substitutes. Longer summary

The author reviews his relationship with instant mashed potatoes, using them as a lens to explore how modern society creates inferior imitations of real things. Starting with personal history about his father's love of instant mashed potatoes, the author traces the history of potato cultivation and preparation, from ancient Peru to modern instant versions. He then uses this to develop a broader theory about 'IMPish' (Instant Mashed Potato-ish) substitutes - things that are reconstituted, inferior versions of real things, from processed foods to online communities. The post ends with reflections on authenticity and what we lose when we accept these substitutes. Shorter summary

A review of 'How the War Was Won' by Phillips Payson O'Brien, which argues that Allied air and sea power, not land battles, were decisive in World War II. Longer summary

This book review discusses 'How the War Was Won' by Phillips Payson O'Brien, which presents a novel perspective on World War II. The book argues that Allied air and sea power, rather than land battles, were the decisive factors in winning the war. O'Brien focuses on production and logistics, showing how Allied efforts disrupted Axis capabilities to produce and transport military equipment. The review highlights key points such as the ineffectiveness of individual battles, the importance of non-operational losses, and the impact of oil shortages on Axis forces. It also touches on the morality of strategic bombing and offers some criticisms of the book's focus on personnel discussions. Shorter summary

A review of 'The Internationalists', which argues for the significance of the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact in outlawing war and shaping modern international relations. Longer summary

This book review discusses 'The Internationalists' by Oona Hathaway and Scott Shapiro, which argues for the importance of the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact in outlawing war. The review explores how the Pact changed international norms, leading to a significant decrease in conquest and territorial changes. It covers the book's three main sections: the Old World Order, the Transformation Period, and the New World Order. The review also addresses criticisms of the Pact's relevance and discusses its implications for current events like the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reviews Hannah Arendt's 'Eichmann in Jerusalem', exploring key aspects of the Eichmann trial and the Holocaust, and reflecting on their implications. Longer summary

This post reviews Hannah Arendt's book 'Eichmann in Jerusalem', which covers the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. Scott Alexander discusses five key aspects from the book: Eichmann's psychological profile, Nazi pre-war plans for Jews, varying responses of occupied nations to Nazi demands, the role of Jewish councils, and why more Germans didn't resist. The review explores the complexities of evil, the importance of resistance, and draws parallels to modern political situations, while being careful not to spoil Arendt's conclusions. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reviews Malcolm Muggeridge's autobiography, examining his experiences exposing Stalin's regime and the West's willful ignorance of Soviet crimes. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews Malcolm Muggeridge's autobiography 'Chronicles of Wasted Time', focusing on Muggeridge's experiences as a journalist in the Soviet Union during Stalin's regime and his later disillusionment with socialism. The review highlights Muggeridge's cynical worldview, his role in exposing Stalin's atrocities, and the widespread willful ignorance of Western intellectuals towards Soviet crimes. Scott reflects on the importance of contrarianism and rationality in evaluating evidence, while also noting Muggeridge's later questionable stances on other issues. Shorter summary