Malcolm Potts

This book tells the story of the emergence of hemophilia into the British royal family and its subsequent scattering through the royal families of Europe. One of the books main focuses is perhaps the most well known story, that of Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia and their afflicted son, Alexei. The authors make the supposition that World War I may have been avoided had Alexei not been a hemophiliac. In my mind, one of the best features of this book is the break-down of the way that hemophilia works and its effects on its victim.… (altro)

"If you want peace, understand war" (Basil Liddell Hart).
This book makes sense of the senseless. A little background on me first, I'm first generation German and my 'significant other' is a retired career Marine (I knew him for several years before he joined the Corps so I have a before/after comparison of him). I've never been able to understand how reasonable, logical men could consider war a good thing and/or how they could be trained to kill/torture other human beings. This book has presented an argument/theory that makes sense of this. The author is an OB/GYN who has worked in war torn countries and who can give a first hand account of what happens war situations. Pulling no punches and making no apologies, the author explains how the psychology/physiology of young men makes war/conflict all but inevitable without mitigating influences. But this book is not only an explanation of the war instinct (with sex being the driving motivator) but also presents a well thought out solution to helping peace 'break out'. Ignoring the issues of over population, resource depletion and the subjugation of women at our own peril we can choose to make a more peaceful future by addressing solutions. The situation is not hopeless but it requires action; inaction could cause the same kind of catastrophe as happened on Easter Island but on a global scale. A very important read, recommended to and for everyone.… (altro)