The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism

Hits the Nail squarely on the head. Will be difficult for the American public to swallow but the recent economic downturn proves his points. Interview with Bill Moyers excellent. A must read and see.

The book is excellent. Highly recommend it to everyone!! It was slightly bent upon arrival probably due to the postal service. Otherwise in very good condition.

I appreciate the quick delivery of this book. It arrived in excellent condition. The book was a real eye-opener.

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.

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.