Written & Illustrated by Joel Andreas
Reviews of ADDICTED To WAR from Amazon Readers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Military Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2016
This is a concise history of US military action and its impact on our soldiers, our citizens, the world. It details with quotes those who have been involved in making war a profitable business for military producers and politicians who pave the way for them.
I wish every soldier sailor marine and airman would read this book and understand what is happening. I love the men and women who are brave enough to defend our country, but they need to understand that it is not our freedom that is at stake, but the profits of greedy corporations.
Please read this book.
Leonard Morneau
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real US history
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2020
Eye opening. The truth behind what the military industrial complex and how it operates. If more people knew about the information in this book then the world would likely be a very different place. Highly recommend for all. Hopefully once more people become aware of the truth then change can finally occur and there will be less war.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wish politicians would read this and live by a ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2016
I wish politicians would read this and live by a standard of integrity and honesty and we would have peace. But the book points out how corrupt our government is and how aggressive and suppressive our liberty.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I understand that since the founding of the United States ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2016
I understand that since the founding of the United States, the country was been at war with some other country for all but 30 years. This book explains the reason why, and what countries we've fought, big and small.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2021
Should be required reading for all Americans.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Give this book to your teen kids
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019
This is an important book. If everyone understood the information in the book, I believe our federal budget priorities would change very quickly.
Two years ago I was in Phoenix for my sister-in-law's wedding. The hotel we were staying at was teeming with Marines, who were there on a recruiting mission. One of the things they do to attract interest is set up some of their advanced weaponry in a large parking lot adjacent to the hotel. They had helicopters, tanks, planes, etc. Super cool, high-tech stuff. Next to each weapon was a plaque that listed the price. The prices were alarming to say the least!
After reading this book, three things become clear: 1) Our military budget is grotesque. 2) The notion that we fight to "protect our freedom" is utter nonsense. 3) War is BIG business and is being played on a global scale at the expense of innocent human lives.
I challenge people to suspend deeply held beliefs long enough to read this book. Before dismissing this content, ask yourself, what are the author's motives for writing this?
Michael J. Gauthier
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is the kind of book that, I think ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2016
This is the kind of book that, I think, people on the right of the political spectrum will dismiss out of hand. It''s an overview of the history of the US at war, with some ideas about WHY we're at war every 5 minutes, seemingly. The basic notion is, we're told one thing about every military action the US takes, while the real reasons are something else that doesn't serve the majority of Americans. Mostly, it's about serving business interests. It has copious footnotes, should one want to read further.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2016
This book is just a primer for readers of materials produced by progressive sources but it would be enlightening to many that get their news from mega-media. Addicted to War should be mandatory reading for fourth graders and beyond. Recommended.
Supports and documents hard facts in any dialogue!
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2016
First "graphic book" that I've been exposed to. An absolutely invaluable compilation of hard facts and figures that will remain a valued book in my personal library. A narrative is told, but this is in no way to be confused with the comic books of our youth!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shockingly accurate
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2018
This is my fourth copy. Unlike THE SHACK, this book doesn't come back went loaned out.
Carole Seligman
5.0 out of 5 stars
The U.S. is Addicted to War
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2019
A great book, a truthful explanation of why the U.S. keeps going to war.
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2016
Very interesting and thorough in such a small book
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is what young Americans need to know
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2019
Valuable information
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2016
Must read for everyone.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Military-Industrial Complex for Dummies
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2002
The political cartoonish illustrations are deceptive. This is a very skillfully made primer on our current predicament in America; this complicated arrangement of financial and political power which maintains a militaristic ideology and seizes a lion's share of our tax revenues, and more than an ounce of our spirit.
Andreas provides a digest wtih verifiable quotes on every page, tracing the evolution of American militarism back to our colonial era and the doctrine of Manifest Destiny. The book provides a historical outline and an analysis of our current situation (the new edition dates from immediately after 9/11), for the general reader to be able to understand and discuss our military policy. Militarism, and the vital industry war has become for us, is still vastly misunderstood or ignored by most of the public, in spite of the central place the American military claims in our lives - even in peacetime.
So yes, this is highly recommended material.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy it and share it with others
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2002
Okay so you're some sort of lefty activist, and you got some really apolitical friends, and it just drives you crazy that they don't care about everything as passionately as you do. You try to explain things to them, but it just doesn't register. Well in my personal experience, this comic does a great job of explaining one of the evilest evils there is in this country - militarism. It's not their fault that they (your apolitical friends) don't care, it's your fault for not coming at them the right way. This comic is a great first step. It's easy to read and explains the gravity of the situation in a way that doesn't make most folks roll their eyes.
Plus the mom of the little kid is hot!
5.0 out of 5 stars
We are known for dropping bombs
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2006
I think this book is great! It educated me about a lot of things our country has done (many I had never heard of). And it also told sides of the story about WWI, WWII, etc. that I knew nothing about.
I want to share a story from a study abroad term I spent in Brazil. We were visiting a community on a tributary of the Amazon, a couple days from the nearest city. We took turns asking each other questions. My group asked them what they thought of the U.S. and the two things they said were: that dancing has a different cultural meaning than in Brazil, and that the U.S. is always bombing someone.
It made a deep impression on me that these people, living in probably the most remote place I've ever been--that this is how they knew us.
I don't think we generally think of who we are as a nation being about dropping bombs and invading other countries and interfering with their internal affairs. At least, I didn't before reading this book.
A main strength of it is that it makes this important topic comprehensible, relevant, and accessible. We all pay for militarism and imperialism after all. And it's us, our relatives, and neighbors who go off and die. The book tells a compelling story, illustrates patterns and themes in U.S. militarism, and is backed up with good references that can be investigated further.
Other reviewers are right to note that Addicted to War does not give an in-depth, comprehensive understanding of any of the wars/conflicts covered. However, that's not the purpose of the book. What it IS good at is bringing up the topic, making you think and feel, and inspiring further research. It gives you a detailed look at this problematic tradition (addiction?) of militarism that we seem to have.
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST AND EASIER TO READ BOOK ON WAR FOR PROFIT
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2002
I LOVED this book. The writer/artist makes it sooo easy to really understand the dangers of this military industrial take over of the U.S. economy, the world, and our childrens lives. For what? To support the very people that have stripped the wealth out of every working American, and get us to send our "kids" to fight THEIR money wars, so they can sit home and get fatter than they are. I HIGHLY recommend this book. I've a wonderful interview with Joel Andreas in the archives of my show at ... I've read plenty of books, but this one should be in every school and every library.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hope people in the States read
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2002
I got impressed and was so glad because an American drew this book.
I was worried that people in the States may have no sense to war. No hearts wish any war. Now I also try Japanese people to read this book. We, Japanese, have hardly felt the danger of war. We should know how and why wars broke out. We have Japanese edition. I'll push this to others.
Markerbuoy
5.0 out of 5 stars
An easy must read.
Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2017
An excellent primer on US warmongering. An easy read for all ages.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read for all people
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2016
It is in comic book format, but with real pictures. Every person should read this book to see what the government's been hiding from us. It's all there in pictures. Frightening! Should be required reading in schools.
Armand Herpe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book.a Must read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2010
If you want to know why America engages in Unconstitutional,Nonsensical Wars of occupation and Aggression then this book is a must Read.Wars are not Fought to Bring Freedom or Democracy to a Country but to Exploit its Resources,and destabilize its Political Structure.its time to think outside the Box and not be blinded by Nationalism and Patriotism.War is a Horrendous waste of Resources and Human lives.when one understands the real Reasons behind wars you will be angry.
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2015
Simple and succinct; a must read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Should be Required Reading for All U.S. Citizens
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2016
Should be in every library and read by every citizen. Certainly anyone considering military service should be urged to read this book to obtain a realistic perspective on what U.S. military service has done to our nation and the world. It's heavily footnoted which is a great complement to the cartoon format. Anyone doubting the portrayal of the book can follow-up with the references cited and confirm that the facts presented are true - although often shocking !
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic primer for the military industrial complex
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2003
Addicted to War was the first book on this subject matter that I read, some time ago. For me, reading this book was like having a revelation. I was speechless the entire time I read it, glued to the pages. I hope not to sound too cliche, but after reading it, I felt as if I had just awoken from "The Matrix", seeing for the first time some of the larger truths of U.S. foreign policy and its inseparable ties with big business and the economy, and how I had been manipulated my entire life to see things in a different way. And I immediately thought that everyone in the U.S. who hasn't been exposed to this kind of thinking needs to read this book. Since then I have bought dozens of copies for family, friends and acquaintances.
Joel Andreas relies mostly on quotes from leaders of industry and government as well as government documents and memos throughout the book to support his thesis that war is a racket, benefitting the wealthy of this country, and paid for by the working people of this country in taxes and military service. One may argue with his conclusions, but would be hard-pressed to dispute the authenticity of the source material used.
The book inspired me to purchase a number of other books dealing with similar subject matter (some of them used in the impressively long Bibliography listed on the last 3 pages of the book), as I think was part of the intent of the book. It's meant to jolt you awake (especially if you were politically asleep like myself) and encourage you to seek out more information on the subject matter.
I see only a couple small nitpicks with the book. Since I've been reading stacks of other articles, books and papers on similar subjects, I think there are a few other dynamite quotes that could have bolstered the viewpoint of Andreas but were overlooked, although the quotes chosen do an excellent job anyway. Also, the role of Communism in the world during the time of most of the military and CIA interventions mentioned in this book is not discussed. This is important information for the reader to know, and I hope anyone who reads this book will research that topic after reading it. Any historian or political scientist with the opposing point of view of this book will likely tell you that the deterrence of the spread of Communism was the primary motivating force behind most of these encounters, and this is the reason given by the government. But that point I think can be overlooked while reading this book, as that information is covered in great detail in other places, and it is not central to the ideas presented by the author. Those ideas being, primarily, that our leaders (leaders of industry and government) are motivated to go to war and change the politics of other countries not out of a desire to spread Democracy throughout the world, but from a desire to bolster the economy and line their pockets. As that is the stance the book takes, the information and the way it is presented is quite convincing.
The other idea that I think is left unexplored in the book, is how essential the natural resource of petroleum is to the survival of the U.S. (and the world) economy and lifestyle, and how securing access to that resource is our most primary national security interest, which has directed U.S. foreign policy a great deal over the last 50 years. I would also encourage the reader to explore this information as a supplement to this book (Michael T. Klare wrote a fantastic book, "Resource Wars", about this very subject). While there are some well-read and knowledgeable people who may point out this book is full of "tired stereotypes" or that the points presented are old and cliche, I would say that the majority of people living in the U.S. have not been enlightened to these ideas, and as such, I can't recommend reading and distributing this book enough.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good as a primer
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2015
Simple to read; right to the point; without verbiage. Very good as a primer.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addicted to War Belongs in All Schools
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2002
Was very impressed with how this comic book of all political comic books is so much more informative than the norm. If you are of the right, politically or the left, politically, this book brings war and all of its hidden realities into sight. Some of the war deeds perpetrated by my country had been known to me before reading this book, but more deeper information was brought to surface. Other deeds of war action done in the name of God and Country and our tax dollars, were startling. I recommend all High School teachers insist that this be a required book for Senior yr. students before these young men and women walk blindly into the world by themselves.
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2003
absolutely superb! entertaining, funny and easy to read, yet containing vital information every should know in these times of "preemptive" war. read it and pass it on then buy copies for as many people as you can.