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The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism By Andrew Bacevich ( Metropolitan Books )
Release Date: 2008-08-05
Average Customer Rating:
List Price: $24.00
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Product Description
From an acclaimed conservative historian and former military officer, a bracing call for a pragmatic confrontation with the nation's problems The Limits of Power identifies a profound triple crisis facing America: the economy, in remarkable disarray, can no longer be fixed by relying on expansion abroad; the government, transformed by an imperial presidency, is a democracy in form only; U.S. involvement in endless wars, driven by a deep infatuation with military power, has been a catastrophe for the body politic. These pressing problems threaten all of us, Republicans and Democrats. If the nation is to solve its predicament, it will need the revival of a distinctly American approach: the neglected tradition of realism. Andrew J. Bacevich, uniquely respected across the political spectrum, offers a historical perspective on the illusions that have governed American policy since 1945. The realism he proposes includes respect for power and its limits; sensitivity to unintended consequences; aversion to claims of exceptionalism; skepticism of easy solutions, especially those involving force; and a conviction that the books will have to balance. Only a return to such principles, Bacevich argues, can provide common ground for fixing America’s urgent problems before the damage becomes irreparable.
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 Finally, someone who can think critically! ( bpdonnelly )
First of all, this is a must read book for any historian, political scientist, or public servant. After having lived nine years in Germany and England myself, I arrived back in the U.S. in 2004 to "shock and awe" at how pedantic and manipulative the politcal process in the U.S. had become (perhaps it was me that had changed and not the political process?). For one thing, W. was elected by scaring people into voting for him. This most recent political debate has been no less frustrating for me. Despite what I consider to be a good result, I can only hope Obama didn't mean some of the promises he made in the election.
In any case, without oversimplifying the message of this book, I find Andrew Bacevich has articulated much of a sound rejection of American "conventional wisdom" in his look at U.S. policy. It's a different and refreshing take on "absolute power corrupts absolutely". I find that in his sound critical thinking, the author points out the link between U.S. policy and the human tendency to delude.
The most interesting thing I take from this book is how this is not a uniquely American phenomenon, but one common to all superpowers throughout history. This book is important.
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Superb
Couldn't set this down. Three things make it special:
1) The biography and credentials of the author: West Point grad; retired Army Colonel; Boston University professor; father of a Lieutenant killed in Iraq.
2) The compact and lively writing: no point is made without facts and examples, but no point is flogged to death.
3) The observations about America's culture, politics, history, ideology, that are woven into judgements on the state of our nation.
The anti-Bush crowd loves this book, but it is more than a rant. Much here to think about.
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Bacevich ( thegallardos2 )
This book is a profound analysis of the shenanigans the outgoing administration played on the American public. As well as an honest criticism of our own shortcomings as citizens when we let policy makers lead us astray.
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Every American should read this book!
An insightful look at the direction of the US political & military machine. A short and quick read yet doesn't skimp on detail.
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Powerful Book!
Fascinating book - and I'm not generally into politics. A must-read for all U.S. leaders. I only hope President Elect Obama has read it!
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Addiction
