by David M. Kennedy
Reviewed by Bruce Lesh

Freedom from Fear: The American People in World War Two, Volume 2 examines the political, military, diplomatic, economic, and social changes related to the United States’ role in the Second World War. Kennedy is not only talented at synthesizing recent scholarship; he is also a gifted writer. A compelling narrative drives the book and makes it an enjoyable read for educators. Teachers new to United States History, or those looking to breathe life into tried and true approaches, would both be well served by reading Kennedy’s book.

Kennedy skillfully weaves the intricacies of diplomacy and the sacrifices on the battlefield without ever losing sight of the depth of the historical actors involved. He is equally adept at providing the telling statistic about economic mobilization while simultaneously focusing on the personal sacrifices demanded by the war. Teachers should note that this is not a full telling of the Second World War—the internal policies of many of America’s allies and enemies are left out—but this was not Kennedy’s intention, and his coverage of the American role is substantial.

The chapters “The War of the Machines” and “The Cauldron of the Home Front” are tremendously useful for teachers looking to restructure their approach to the home front during World War II. Replete with stunning statistics and insightful anecdotes, both chapters provide the deep content that can crystallize for students the enormity of the mobilization of war and its attendant impact on the outcome. Of interesting note, is Kennedy’s treatment of the Manhattan Project in the context of the American War machine’s growth and development. Traditionally this element of mobilization and technological growth is left in the paragraph prior to the dropping of the bomb. By placing the decisions related to the development of an atomic bomb in the context of the other efforts to prepare the United States armed forces, students are able to appreciate the manner in which the bomb was conceived, developed, and delivered for use. Including it in the discussion of American mobilization makes far better sense and is an important consideration when organizing content for a unit on World War Two.

“The Cauldron of the Home Front” addresses the impact that a war to end fascism had on relations between the races in the United States. Deftly moving from the rationale and implications of Executive Order 9066, to the growing resistance to Jim Crow and the nascent Civil Rights movement, and finally to the expansion of opportunities for women that the war fostered, Kennedy crafts a sweeping overview of how a foreign war facilitated changes in traditional domestic mores. The chapter concludes with a sobering analysis of the relationship between American political decision makers and the Holocaust. Kennedy clearly examines the imbedded anti-Semitism within the United States government, the timing of American awareness of the scale of devastation taking place in German occupied Europe, and the multi-faceted reasons for American inaction. This section of the chapter is ripe for use in the classroom. Students could read Kennedy’s interpretation of America and the Holocaust, compare it with the primary source quotes provided at the PBS’s American Experience segment America and the Holocaust website, and begin a deep exploration of this important—but often untaught, portion of American History. In these two chapters alone, Kennedy’s book provides teachers with an opportunity to refresh and/or deepen their knowledge of the Second World War and simultaneously revisit the stories they convey and the organization of their instructional program.

Although dividing the text into two volumes reduces the intimidation factor generated by the 800 page original, the book is still inconsistent with the reading and motivational abilities of most high school students. It is an exceptionally well-written book, and portions would be useful background reading for Advanced Placement students. Other segments could be used to supplement often scarcely told stories found in textbooks, but in its entirety, it will challenge most high school students. For educators though, Kennedy’s single volume on World War Two, and his entire book on the Depression and War, should be required reading. The book provides an opportunity to refine their understanding of this critical time period, provides useful material for classroom use, and promotes consideration over how curriculum could be ordered to best encourage student understanding of this pivotal time period.

Leave a Reply