The War Prayer by Mark Twain Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The War Prayer
Book Review: A book you'll love or hate
Summary: 3 Stars
The War Prayer is Mark Twain's premier anti-war poem. Doves will love it; hawks will not - it is not a piece that will change anyone's mind on the ethics of war. It does, however, provide a moving illustration of how our prayers for our welfare are also prayers for the destruction of others. It recognizes that it is human nature to refuse to recognize the destructive side. It reminds one of the gap between recognized ideals and our actual conduct.The drawings by John Groth add to the text but do not overcome the impression of a printing that was thrown together carelessly and quickly to meet political goals in our current crisis. Quality of production aside, it is worth while to see this side of Mark Twain's writing regardless of your views on war.
Book Review: A prayer indeed
Summary: 5 Stars
Twain's _War Prayer_ is a classic piece of anti-war literature. Written during the Spanish-American war, the sentiments Twain expresses are still relevent today. As a combat vet, I always struggle with those who invoke the name of religion, morality or righteousness with war. War is obscene - Twain's vivid poem illustrates what that is. The power of Twain's words are supported by the drawings of John Groth, which fit the tone and time of the story.
As a previous reviewer has noted, the printing quality of the book leaves something to be desired; with that said, I strongly recommend this powerful piece.
Book Review: Be careful what you pray for
Summary: 5 Stars
"The War Prayer," by Mark Twain, is a short, parable-like story. The text, which is arranged on the pages like poetry, is accompanied by John Groth's black-and-white illustrations. The entire book, although unpaginated, is less than 100 pages long. The story takes place in a time of war, when "the holy fire of patriotism" burns in every heart. Twain tells of a church service in which the congregation is preparing to send its young men off to war. But an aged stranger interrupts the service with a message of his own.
The back cover of the book notes that "The War Prayer" was written during the Philippine-American war in the first decade of the twentieth century, was rejected for publication in 1905, and remained unpublished until 1923. Twain has crafted a harsh, bitter, and biting satire of how patriotism, militarism, and religion can come together. His searing message is well complemented by John Groth's stark, sometimes nightmarish images. Groth's impressionistic drawings look like he has lacerated the pages with his pen. Twain's "Prayer" has a timeless and universal feel. After all these decades, it still packs a punch.
Book Review: Buy several NOW
Summary: 5 Stars
OK - A note from a middle american man on the War Prayer. This book should be read every morning at schools rather than the pledge of allegiance. It takes the american psyche of war and turns it on its ear, with no need for the author's typical wit. I have bought and given away many copies, but more importantly always have a copy hanging around somewhere in your house where visitors or your kids might come across it. They might pick it up, and to pick it up is the same as to read it for the ten minutes it would take anyone to get through it. If more and more people read this book, our culture could perhaps find a more humane view of what warfare truly is. Are you truly willing to pray that your enemies children will be left wandering, wounded, trying to find enough food to survive? I sure hope I know your answer.Book Review: Demands to be read again and again
Summary: 5 Stars
Deserves to be read again and again
Within every prayer for victory also lies a prayer for the enemy's defeat. That doesn't just mean redrawing some national boundary on a map. It also means the horror of broken bodies on the battlefield, the devastation of families and nations, and a toll in suffering that can not be calculated.
When some Sunday sermon invokes a prayer for victory, Twain walks a mysterious stranger into the church. He explains the duality, then invokes the other half the the prayer: poverty, death, and loss affecting all the millions in the defeated nation, as only Twain at his bitter best can describe it.
This short story deserves a book to itself. Once read, it can not be forgotten.
-- wiredweird