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Max Hastings
84quotes
Max Hastings
Full Name and Common Aliases
Max Hastings is a British journalist, historian, and author, commonly known by his full name.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 28, 1945, in Tavistock, Devon, England. Still living as of this writing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
British national, with a career spanning journalism, history, and literature. Hastings is renowned for his work as an editor, author, and war correspondent.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in the north of England, Hastings developed an interest in storytelling from an early age. His family's experiences during World War II significantly influenced his perspective on conflict and its impact on civilians. He attended Charterhouse School before joining the Royal School of Artillery as a cadet officer.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his career, Hastings has received numerous awards for his journalism and historical works:
As editor of the Evening Standard (1986–1996), he led the newspaper to increased circulation.
His war reporting from Vietnam earned him the American Marine Corps' Civilian Award for Humanitarian Merit in 1973.
Notable Works or Actions
Hastings has written extensively on historical and contemporary topics. Some notable works include:
"The Korean War": A comprehensive history of the conflict.
"Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945"
* "Chatham House Speeches", which included a speech criticizing British foreign policy in Iraq.
Impact and Legacy
Max Hastings' work has been widely praised for its accuracy and thought-provoking insights. His contributions to journalism have raised the bar for war reporting, emphasizing the importance of humanizing conflicts and their effects on civilians. As an author, he continues to captivate readers with his meticulous research and engaging narratives.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Hastings' reputation as a respected journalist and historian has led to numerous citations in media outlets and academic works. His opinions on global events and historical analysis are often sought after by publications worldwide, making him one of the most quoted figures in his field.
Quotes by Max Hastings
Max Hastings's insights on:
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In the course of the war, 168,000 Soviet citizens were formally sentenced to death and executed for alleged cowardice or desertion;.
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Amoz Oz, who said something of the same kind, but from a different perspective: ‘People like you’, he said to me, ’are going to become very disappointed in Israel in the years ahead. You want it to behave like a European society. Instead, it is becoming a Middle Eastern society. I hope that it will not behave worse than other Middle Eastern societies. But you should not delude yourself that it is likely to behave much better.
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The French were more tolerant of brothels than any other nation in Europe, though there was some dispute about whether this reflected enlightenment or depravity.
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Yet since 1917 the Soviet Union had created an edifice of self-deceit unrivalled in human history.
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Here was a manifestation of a huge, historic British folly, repeated over many centuries including the twenty-first: the adoption of gesture strategy, committing small forces as an earnest of good intentions, heedless of their gross inadequacy for the military purpose at hand.
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All men who participate in wars find themselves obliged to do things which, if they are decent people, they afterwards regret.
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