Reinventing World War II

Main Themes and Topics

Reinventing World War II by Barbara A. Biesecker delves into the resurgence of World War II as a central motif in American culture and politics, especially since the mid-1980s. Biesecker examines how this re-emergence served to restore social equilibrium and reinforce American collective identity following significant geopolitical changes, such as the fall of the Soviet Union. The book discusses the mechanisms through which World War II's narrative was retooled in popular culture, emphasizing the forms of American exceptionalism that underpin these representations. By analyzing key cultural artifacts like the canceled Enola Gay exhibit, the film Saving Private Ryan, and Tom Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation, Biesecker reveals how these reconstructions functioned as civic lessons to shape public memory and identity.

Writing Style and Tone

Biesecker's writing in Reinventing World War II is scholarly yet accessible, making complex theoretical arguments understandable for a broad audience. She employs methods of contemporary philosophy to dissect popular narratives and synthesize interdisciplinary insights seamlessly. The tone is analytical and critical, inviting readers to engage with the material deeply and consider the ideological underpinnings of the "Good War" narrative's return. Her style underscores the nuanced connections between cultural artifacts and broader socio-political shifts.

Brief Summary

In Reinventing World War II, Barbara A. Biesecker investigates the noticeable resurgence of World War II narratives in American culture and politics from the mid-1980s onward. She asserts that this revival served not only to restore social equilibrium but also to reinforce a neoliberal nationalist politics in the absence of the Soviet Union as a geopolitical counterbalance. Through detailed analysis of cultural phenomena, Biesecker argues that the "Good War" was weaponized as a tool of public memory to define citizenship and national identity, subtly advancing an ideology of American exceptionalism and ethnonationalism. Her exploration uncovers the roots of contemporary political movements and highlights the significant role of public memory in shaping collective identity.