How we cite our quotes: Chapter name.(Chapter Number).Paragraph
Quote #1
But Feklisov and Semyonov held a view that was common among Russians at the time. Yes, the United States was helping the Soviet Union—but not out of the kindness of its heart. The United States and Soviet Union had never been friendly, and nothing had really changed. America's help to the Soviets was the product of cold logic. The Soviet Union was battling Germany. America badly wanted to see Germany beaten. So Americans were glad to have the Soviets do the bloody work of fighting Hitler.
"When you know you are being taken advantage of," Feklisov said, "you have every right to be clever." (Rapid Rupture.(5).6-7)
Even though this point of view isn't exactly one we'd aspire to, it's hard not to understand where Feklisov and Semyonov are coming from. They're arguing that spying for information was tit-for-tat, and they were just trying to get theirs. It's not really honorable, but it's nothing we wouldn't do for ourselves…right?
Quote #2
They starved through winter and into spring, dodging German patrols, waiting for their next job.
"When this war is over," said Kjelstrup after yet another unsatisfying meal, "I shall spend all my money on food. I shan't spend any on girls."Haukelid licked his long-since empty spoon.
"Same here," he said. (Ferry Job.(19).4-7)
We weren't sure if this was more about having principles or priorities. Either way, it's a pretty funny interaction.
Quote #3
The government was spending hundreds of millions of dollars—yet the project was so secret, President Roosevelt chose not to tell Congress where all the money was going.
A senator from Missouri named Harry Truman began to get curious. "I had known," Truman later said, "something that was unusually important was brewing in our war plants." But what? Worried that the government was wasting taxpayer money, Truman decided to send investigators to Oak Ridge and Hanford. […] [After being asked to call off the investigations], Truman couldn't help himself, though. He continued poking around for information about where all the money was going. (Secret Cities.(21).45-55)
Either Truman was really gung-ho about protecting the rights of the citizens that he served or he was looking for political ammunition. He was told to back down by the Secretary of War, and yet he still persisted. During a time when winning the war was the absolute highest priority, do you think it's right that Truman insisted on pursing his principles rather than listening to the higher-ups?