Looking for the Good War

In Looking for the Good War, Elizabeth D. Samet, a professor of English at West Point, explores the literature, art, and cultural narratives that emerged in the aftermath of World War II. She delves into the complex and often ambivalent sentiments regarding American identity and the nation's relationship with war and its veterans, revealing how these themes were suppressed by a nostalgic view of America's "exceptional" history. Through notable figures such as war correspondents and the archetype of the veteran in postwar media, Samet analyzes the lasting impact of these attitudes on America's domestic and foreign policy, illuminating how World War II shaped contemporary perceptions of violence, liberty, and national purpose.