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Is there a Belgium? (1999)

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Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#4

For those who don't know the author, this essay is by the great, late British historian Tony Judt. He frequently wrote about post-war European history and, as a former Zionist, was a well-known and sometimes controversial critic of Israel.

half-serious: is there ever a 'non-controversial' critic of anything?

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#5
post #4

For those who don't know the author, this essay is by the great, late British historian Tony Judt. He frequently wrote about post-war European history and, as a former Zionist, was a well-known and sometimes controversial critic of Israel.

half-serious: is there ever a 'non-controversial' critic of anything?

I'm guessing most critics of Hitler are noncontroversial.

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#6
post #5
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

half-serious: is there ever a 'non-controversial' critic of anything?

I'm guessing most critics of Hitler are noncontroversial.

While true, in general use, calling someone a critic of XYZ tends to imply that there is a (mainstream) constituency that is not critical of XYZ.

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#8
Wow there's definitely material here for a board game - play the Socialists, the Catholics or the Liberals, vie for power, influence and wealth! Build your 'pillar' by coalescing local power into regional influence!

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#9

Wow there's definitely material here for a board game - play the Socialists, the Catholics or the Liberals, vie for power, influence and wealth! Build your 'pillar' by coalescing local power into regional influence!

That's a great idea. "Belgium: The Board Game". Just be careful with the "Scandals & Corruption" expansion pack, it's pretty NSFW.

Re: Is there a Belgium? (1999)

#10

For those who don't know the author, this essay is by the great, late British historian Tony Judt. He frequently wrote about post-war European history and, as a former Zionist, was a well-known and sometimes controversial critic of Israel.

For more of Judt's take on how the Flanders/Wallonia split has played out, here is an out-take from Judt's acclaimed survey Postwar:

http://faroutliers.blogspot.com/2007/10/judt-on-belgian-iden...

Anyone at all interested in European history would enjoy his essays and this book. Deep and erudite, yet with an approachable narrative voice.

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