The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism

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.

I could not set this book down. Three things made it special:

1) The biography and credentials of the author: a West Point grad; retired Army Colonel; Boston College professor; and father of an Army Lieutenant recently killed in Iraq.
2) The writing, which is compact and lively. No point is made without many facts and examples, but no point is flogged to death.
3) The author's underlying ambivalence about America's culture, politics, history, ideology. He does not hate America but struggles to understand it. He weaves observations about America's foundational values into powerful conclusions about the state of our country.

The anti-Bush crowd loves this book, but it is much more than a rant against the current administration. It gave me plenty to think about.

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.

An insightful look at the direction of the US political & military machine. A short and quick read yet doesn't skimp on detail.

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!