America's Failing Empire: U.S. Foreign Relations Since the Cold War (America's Recent Past) [Paperback]

Warren I. Cohen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1405114274 | ISBN-13: 978-1405114271 | Edition: 1

This sharp and authoritative account of American foreign relations analyzes the last fifteen years of foreign policy in relation to the last forty years, since the end of the Cold War.

Provides an overview and understanding of the recent history of U.S. foreign relations from the viewpoint of one of the most respected authorities in the field

Includes suggestions for further reading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A remarkably succinct, lucid, and provocative survey of America’s post Cold War foreign policy, brimming with shrewd insights. This is contemporary history at its best. Highly recommended for students, specialists, and general readers alike.” Robert J. McMahon, University of Florida

“America’s Failing Empire is contemporary history at its finest, reflecting the quality of scholarship and thoughtful insight that has long characterized the work of Warren Cohen. He provides a stinging critique of the unilateralist imperialism currently in vogue. It is a thorough and welcome response to the academic and journalistic apologists of the American empire.” Gary Hess, Bowling Green State University

"This fascinating study gives readers an overview and understanding of the recent history of US foreign relations from the viewpoint of one of the most respected authorities in the field." History Online

Book Description

This sharp and authoritative account of American foreign relations analyzes the last 15 years of foreign policy in relation to the last 40 years, since the end of the Cold War. in 1989, the United States emerged as victor from the Cold War struggle. But what did victory mean? in the United States, commentators were divided in their views: some feared their nation's eclipse by more successful trading powers or blocs; others were concerned that undoubted military pre-eminence was in effect financed by foreigners. A little over a decade later, these worries seem remote - but others have replaced them. the attacks on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001, gave the US a new and unwelcome sense of vulnerability, while the responses of the Bush administration have created grave misgivings in many parts of the world. This fascinating study gives readers an overview and understanding of the recent history of U.S. foreign relations from the viewpoint of one of the most respected authorities in the field.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (September 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405114274
• ISBN-13: 978-1405114271
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,401,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars the worst way to spend your money, January 4, 2012

By 

Gloria - See all my reviews

This review is from: America's Failing Empire: U.S. Foreign Relations Since the Cold War (America's Recent Past) (Paperback)

I just wanted to support the previous review and say that this is not a history book simply because it doesn't explain true and complete historical facts. It is also based on the author's personal opinions and beliefs and a lot of what he wrote made me want to throw up and drop the class that requires me to finish the book I started to read...Do not buy this, do not read this, you do not need this BS.

6 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars top ten reasons to pass on this book, October 2, 2007

By 

LaughingLion "I am Lion, read me review!" (North of Boston) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: America's Failing Empire: U.S. Foreign Relations Since the Cold War (America's Recent Past) (Paperback)

There are probably gentler ways to do this. This book was bad enough that i don't care to find them.

10) "Clearly his reputation in the history books was on the table." is his summation of the reasons for the elder Bush using military firepower during his presidency.

9) Conflates the terms "Centrist" and "Liberals" in American political positions and tries to claim they refer to the same group of people.

8)Anyone who cites the deaths of 241 troops in Lebanon in 1983 as a reference to the failed politics of the U.S. since the end of the cold war is only lightly skimming their history books.

7) In America's Failing Empire, a book about _post_ cold war politics he mentions the Vietnam war as an example of failed policies after the cold war.

6) Cohen cites Timothy McViegh as a failure of Foreign Policy.

5)Fully believes his own hype when he wrote; "Other signs that the peaceful world many Americans expected after the Cold War was a fantasy were apparent across the globe.", i think most of us just expected a lower chance of nuclear winter.

4) Refers to the 25,000 troops sent to Panama as "a major troop build up", but despite numerous mentions of the troops sent to Bosnia fails to note their number peaked around 27,000.

3) With the quote "The killing fields of Tiananmen left a stain the Communist Party of China could never erase." implicitly claims that the group of people who are claimed to be selling the organs of convicted "criminals" actually care what other people think of their human rights record, and renounces any claim to writing a factual history,

2) Any history professor who claims that "The American struggle to open up Japanese markets had begun in the 1960's." is not as well informed as most fifth graders.

1) Any non fiction writer who lists themself in their bibliography when they aren't doing original research based on their previous research is probably doing something academically unwholesome.

In short this isn't a history book, its a political screed, and the emperor not only needs to fear the decency laws he could use a good workout.