The Detonators: The Secret Plot to Destroy America and the Epic Hunt for Justice
by Chad Millman
Published by Little, Brown (July 12, 2006 Release)
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Reviewed by Jeff Foster
On Sunday July 30, 1916, at 2:08 a.m., New York and Jersey City residents were awakened by a major explosion that lit the night sky and sent shock waves as far as Maryland. The explosion occurred at the munitions depot on the New Jersey side of New York harbor, known as Black Tom Island.
Prior to American entry into World War I, Black Tom was a depot where war materials destined for transport to the Allied Powers (England, France and Russia) in their struggle against the Central Powers (Germany and Austria and Hungary). While President Woodrow Wilson was resolute in maintaining America's nonaligned status, the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 and increasing numbers of unexplained fires and explosions at munitions manufacturers attributed to German sabotage. This inevitably convinced Wilson that America's position of neutrality was no longer a plausible excuse for American neutrality.
America entered the war, swinging the outcome to the Allied Powers. In the treaty of Versailles, Germany agreed to make post-war reparations to the Allied powers. The Mixed Claims Commission (MCC) was set up to accept civilian claims against Germany, with over 12,000 claims heard prior to the Black Tom case.
For the Germans, being found culpable in this case would clearly state that Germany had initiated hostilities with the United States. This would clear the way for countless additional claims. If not for the steadfast investigative efforts on behalf of the American representatives to the commission after two rebukes in favor of Germany, this case would have lingered in the annals of 20th century history. The resolution is a statement from America that tenacity to see that those responsible were ultimately held accountable.
This remarkable story is quite timely in today's post 9-11 environment, and constitutes a very grim reminder that Americans are not now, nor have we ever been, completely safe within our own borders, from those determined to do us harm.
Armchair Interviews says: A great story, very well written that says if we don't remember our history, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes.