I would be most appreciative if those around me would cut back on getting intoxicated.
–The Professor
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Taking Notes from an Expert….
Rather than having my nose chronically in a book and/or screen for research, I decided to interview a local expert on this topic of Culture and WW2.
Luckily, I found the perfect fit here at Kutztown University:
Dr. Michael Gambone, a retired army veteran and professor of history in the fields of Latin American History, Modern American History, and Military History. He wrote the book, Modern Conspiracies in America: Separating Fact from Fiction, which I have been using for additional research.
He graciously allowed me to interview him and post snippets of our conversation here on the internet. A mix of serious and surface-level questions, we explored his opinions and expertise surrounding WWII, it’s media and impacts.
Quick notes: His answers have been paraphrased by my notes during the interview (it is not word-by-word quotes), and he mentions several books during the interview that further elaborate on the points he made.
Now, enjoy.
Interview:
Question 1 - You’ve written a book about “separating fact from fiction”, what do you think is the hardest part about actually doing this?
Dr. Gambone: In working with others to determine truth or researching to explain something on your own - rational arguments don’t always work. Stances and opinions come down to belief. See the book by Rob Brotherton: “Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories”
(In a separate interview, he was asked this: why a class on conspiracies? “One of my old Penn State professors discussed it with me, and it started out as kind of a lark. I had no idea how the class would turn out like it did or that I would even write a book on it. I think people take that class for different reasons, but that doesn’t change how attractive it is. I also think people take it because it gives them a space to talk about a subject that isn’t really talked about anywhere else.”)
Question 2 - When teaching about WWII, what is your favorite topic to explore and/or discuss with your students?
Dr. Gambone: His favorite topic is the home-front, the impacts and legacies of war in the mother country. Wars create social revolution - a want of change from the previous status quo and way of doing things. For example, He stated an argument can be made that the necessary push for civil rights truly came post-war, and continuing building to the monumental Civil Rights Act of 1964. See the book by John Costello: “Virtue Under Fire: How World War II Changed Our Social and Sexual Attitudes”
Question 3 - In popular books and/or movies about WWII, what is one thing that stands out to you as “wrong” or a common misconception? What is something they often get right?
Dr. Gambone: As a retired army veteran, Dr. Gambone often finds the portrayal of the military in media wrong. He explained that the military is often painted as a collection of “Yes sir - no sir” robots, rather than what they are - men and women fighting to honor and protect their country. He expressed that there can often be much more pushback and individuality from soldiers that we as civilians often do not see. See the book by James Bradley with Ron Powers: “Flags of Our Fathers”. On the other hand, he said that the details on uniforms and the accuracy of military comradery are often painted correctly in popular media. See the book by Stephen E. Ambrose: “Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest”
Question 4 - Which aspect of WWII do you personally find most interesting? And why?
Dr. Gambone: Personally, he finds American’s adaptability, especially to war, extremely fascinating. The ability to quickly adjust to pressing challenges, famed strategic thinking, and innovative technological advances are only a few examples of this adaptability. Two people he found that really highlight this point are Stephen E. Ambrose (an author previously mentioned) and Major Richard “Dick” Winters, an army paratrooper whom Ambrose’s book is partly based on.
Question 5 - What is your response to kids and/or young adults who see learning history as unimportant?
Dr. Gambone: He laughed when I asked this question, and said it honestly depends on the school and/or home emphasis that people have had about history. He stated it has its place, and it is certainly important, but he understands that is also not for everyone. Basically, “to each their own.”
Question 6 - What is one “fact” about WWII that you’ve heard? And why do you think this lie was circulated?
Dr. Gambone: He said for the most part, there are little mistakes pushed out there as fact - concerning mostly Winston Churchill quotes that are misphrased or taken out of context. Another point that Dr. Gambone brought up, while not an outright lie, is that Soviet Union contribution to WWII has an extreme underemphasis in American circles. The Soviet Union was in the fight longer, suffered greater losses, dominated the eastern front, and ultimately was a major decisive factor in the Allies win of WWII.
Question 7 - Steven Spielberg is arguably one of the best directors of our time. In his movies about WWII, what is one thing you loved? One thing you disliked? And why?
Dr. Gambone: He also laughed at this question - said it is basically the “Saving Private Ryan” question. From Spielberg films, he loved the fact that Spielberg used cameras from time period to film it. It adds realism and honesty to the real experiences that happened in WWII. He also admired the performance of Dale Dye in Saving Private Ryan, and the true military perspective he brought to the film. One thing that he disliked is the over-used “Greatest Generation” theme. He made a great point that glorification has limits - war is ugly, messy, and raw. The people were not picture-perfect - they were real. There were real heroes, and they should be honored, but at the end of the day - they were just humans.
Question 8 - How do you think our cultural perspective of WWII influences our genuine understanding of real history? (ex: influence of media; stories)
Dr. Gambone: As an American culture, Dr. Gambone thinks we often see WWII as an “explemar” or the peak of service. He finds this an extremely narrow view, and it can be harmful to contemporary perspectives concerning the WWII and military history. Dr. Gambone pointed me to a great resource in exploring this fact - Paul Fussell, American literary historian, wrote the book “Wartime” with the goal to demystify the public concerning the brutality to war and the reality of military culture.
Question 9 - What is your favorite WWII movie(s)? And why?
Dr. Gambone: He had two mentionable favorites - modern and classic. For modern, his favorite would have to be Saving Private Ryan. Like mentioned before, he appreciates the raw realism and honesty that the film brought to the war experience. For classic, his favorite is the Bridge Over the River Kwai. Dr. Gambone mentioned a lot of 60s nostalgia over this movie, and movies like it at the time; His teachers would often show war movies in his early schooling, and he has fond memories of that.
Question 10 - How do you think our global understanding of WWII affects our lives today?
Dr. Gambone: He said very simply, and even disappointedly, “we don’t apply it.” He said there have been many conversations among veterans, including himself, that we as Americans are making the same mistakes; We have not learned our lesson. Post-WWII there was a pointed attempt to reconcile and foster change by eventually gaining the Germans as allies. In modern times, we are not maintaining it - we have lost respect and allies, we have made enemies, and there has been an incredible loss of hard-fought lessons.
Question 11 - In my continued research, is there any advice or suggestions you have for me?
Dr. Gambone: He said he was very interested in this blog topic and pointed me in the direction of several possible focuses that have intrigued him and might prove useful to me in my research: Veterans want to transform society - post-war experiences, ideas, and reforms. For example, Thurgood Marshall - tradition of modern civil rights, Betty Friedan - modern feminism, G.I. Generation - the modern birthplace of American culture as we know it, etc.
Reflection on our meeting:
Dr. Gambone is extremely knowledgeable in his field, and I am glad that I took the jump to meet with him and learn even more about this topic. His book provides an interesting insight to modern conspiracies and education surrounding American history; I recommend it as it is a genuinely interesting read. Hope you enjoyed this learning experience as much as I did.
Best wishes,
-The Author
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Entrogender + Darkcademic
Entrodarkcdemic : a gender term where one’s gender identity is meant to be Darkcademic/darkacademic/DACINgender/Darkcaspec, but is constantly fading or wearing away.
Entropupil : a gender term where one’s gender identity is meant to be Pupil/darkacademic/DACINgender/Darkcaspec, but is constantly fading or wearing away.
Entroprofessor: a gender term where one’s gender identity is meant to be Professor/darkacademic/DACINgender/Darkcaspec, but is constantly fading or wearing away.
Entrodscholar : a gender term where one’s gender identity is meant to be Scholar/darkacademic/DACINgender/Darkcaspec, but is constantly fading or wearing away.
- Entrodarkcademic (top left) & entropupil (top right)
- entroprofessor (bottom left) & entroscholar (bottom right)
NOTES :
- :)
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Assist. Prof. Dr. Mingshi Yue is an Associate Professor at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, Linyi University. His research focuses on operations management, group decision analysis, marketing, and quantitative modeling for management and business applications.
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[Audio Clip: “Dear, I cannot help if you can’t tell me what is happening.” “I can do one…sentence. translate one for you.”]
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Dr. Lina M. Barrios is an internationally recognized marine biologist specializing in coral reef ecology, ocean acidification, and ecological genetics. Her research advances biodiversity conservation and sustainable development through global collaborations and interdisciplinary scientific leadership.
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The Sculpting in Time card of the day is:
Professor: Spring Heated Wine (UR) (1st Basic Set)
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sickarus….
how dare my professor be funnier than me on my own post (email about being sick)
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There’s my little angel love, curled up so lovely under me. I do hope I never lose her again.
–The Professor
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You are free to do what makes you feel most fulfilled, love, but you will be missed in your absence.
–The Professor
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Consumers matter
When you get the product
You get the whole product
Office and internet ready computer for entertainment
Hold the vision trust the process
Amen
Welcome
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The purpose of this paper is to provide insights for flower retailers, horticultural practitioners and marketing managers into the prioritisation of cut flower attributes by German residents.
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Astrophysicists and I have more in common than I thought
Watch the full video on YouTube!
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Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a class of steroid phytohormones that promote plant growth and tolerance to both biotic and abiotic stress. BAS1/CYP734A1, SOB7/CYP72C1, and BEN1 are three BR-inactivating enzymes characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana.
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