I read this over many months, which is actually a fine way to approach this book unless you intend to review it and don't take notes.

Thomson addresses a central conundrum for movie lovers: Why is it that so many liberal anti-war moviegoers still love war movies? At least that's where he starts and to some extent ends this book. But in between he meanders all over the place giving us plenty of opportunity to enjoy his wonderful prose. While I didn't take notes, you probably should so you can write down the titles you need to see. Among them might be Peter Jackon's documentary They Shall Not Grow Old, one that I added to my list.

The book focuses on World War I, World War II and the post-war period including Viet Nam. Amongst the treasures is a loving tribute to The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (a favorite of mine), a take down of Coming Home (deserved), and ambivalence regarding The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now (although the best account of Apocalypse Now is the highly fictionalized version in Viet Than Nguyen's novel The Sympathizer).

This book is highly recommended for lovers of war movies and David Thomson's writing. Thomson may not be for everyone but you can count me in as a fan.

Thanks to netgalley for providing a copy for early review.

I did not enjoy The Fatal Alliance even though it had everything I would want in a book. David Thomson’s look at film and war is boring, rambling and feels more like a lecture than an engaging book about how film views war. I hate saying it but Thomson feels more like a professor who won’t stop rambling instead of teaching.