Full Spectrum Disorder: The Military in the New American Century [Paperback]

Stan Goff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 29, 2003

Stan Goff combines a spellbinding, first-person account of military maneuvers with a radical interpretation of American foreign policy. Drawing on his Delta Force and Army Ranger experiences, which took him from the invasions of Panama and Haiti to army training grounds in Colombia and South Korea, he depicts the new "American Empire" as over-reliant on technology, ignorant of the lessons of history, and backward in the stereotyping of other countries.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Goff's impassioned and often vivid critique of U.S. foreign policy derives from the perspective of a long and distinguished military career. Until 1996 an NCO in various arms of Special Forces, he served in the invasions of Panama, Somalia, Grenada and Haiti (recounted in 2000's Hideous Dream). This book's great strength is in Goff's ability to cut through both the reader's prejudice and the bafflegab of officialdom to offer real "on the ground" insight into the military mind at both its best and worst. In taking apart, for example, both the official report on the infamous Black Hawk Down incident in Mogadishu and its Hollywood depiction, he is able to show how both participate in the same kinds of self-exculpatory distortions. Likewise his account of the replacement of real tactical experience with high-tech panaceas - driven by neo-conservative ideology rather than any practical consideration - is withering and powerful. Unfortunately, these passages of insight don't have the impact they should, due to both the book's haphazard organization and wearyingly didactic tone. Most of the 17 short chapters follow a predictable pattern, beginning in cogent recollection and analysis, but ending with political/philosophical digressions of a confused if decidedly radical hue. Goff proves himself capable of a rare sort of practical and sober analysis, but the vitriol and idle speculation he too often indulges in are already in great supply, from a variety of perspectives.
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Review

"The pure rendering of the experience is where the value of this book resides."

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Soft Skull Press (August 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932360123
• ISBN-13: 978-1932360127
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #901,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unvarnished Look Inside U.S. Foriegn Policy, March 5, 2004

By 

Mikster "mark1gti" (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Full Spectrum Disorder: The Military in the New American Century (Paperback)

I read Stan's book inside of two days, it was well written, and had a lot to say about the behind the scenes life of someone who was on the front line of training and liasing with foriegn militaries and governments. Stan is someone who has valid criticisms of both left and right, so both sides are going to have something to disagree with him about in this book, but I think his criticisms are quite valid. The left is too soft and the right is simply wrong. They're just wrong, and delusional as well. Reading Stan's book reminded me of my father's life in the military, a life where civilians just don't get it and live sheltered lives cut off from the reality of the world situation. One of Stan's valid criticisms of the left is that they see all military personnel as trigger happy Rambos and it's just not so. For someone who wants to see the inside of this government's deeply flawed foreign and military policy, I can't recommend this book highly enough. To give you an idea of how popular the book is here, all seven copies at our local bookstore were sold out in one week, and several friends are ordering it from Amazon right now. Run, do not walk to your local bookstore, this is a revealing and educational book in these desperate times we live through now.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Cerebral Sergent, April 20, 2004

By 

Stan Moore "Stan" (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Full Spectrum Disorder: The Military in the New American Century (Paperback)

I have read some of Stan Goff's email postings to various websites on current affairs, and found him to be knowledgeable, smart, funny, and always relevant. His perspective on military affairs is essentially unsurpassed, but amazingly, he identifies with the "left" political spectrum as a former Special Ops soldier, and that (alone) makes Stan Goff unique and worth listening to.

But this book took my appreciation of Stan Goff to a whole new level. Although I never met him and have no idea of key aspects of his personal history, I have a theory about Stan Goff. I believe that, as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. military (and let me say that I have absolutely no experience in the military and am only speculating), I believe that Stan Goff must have experienced condescending treatment from commissioned officers who expected obedience and implementation of commands without discussion or intellectual questioning. I sense that Stan Goff eventually said, "To hell with this!" and did the necessary self-educating to make himself a bona fide, well-read, deep thinking, highly informed intellectual.

Intellectualism is a working platform for this book. Stan Goff is the sort of self-confident, mature, person who is not afraid to assess current affairs and produce analyses and predictions. He is not afraid to make a mistake, and is not afraid to take criticism. I find that refreshing, and Stan Goff has earned his credibility with flying colors!

I think Stan Goff nailed his many analyses of current problems, strategies, and solutions. He figured it out, and although the prognosis for the future of the American Empire looks bad, that is where the facts led Stan, and I agree with him.

I think Stan is doing the left a great service in offering advice on dealing with military people, and using their experiences, specialized knowledge, and sensibilities to a degree never even contemplated by leftists. Military people, like ex-Sgt. Goff have unique skill sets that may make the telling difference in future struggles for freedom and preservation of democracy, even right in the U.S.A. as our civilization implodes due to its inherent unsustainability.

I recommend Stan Goff's book to everyone. I want to read more of his work. I hope he is as prolific as he is intelligent, and as versatile as he is honest.

READ THIS BOOK!

Stan Moore San Geronimo, CA

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for active service members., April 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Full Spectrum Disorder: The Military in the New American Century (Paperback)

As a veteran of the '91 Gulf War and Drug Wars in the Caribbean, I am deeply grateful for such an honest and courageous account from an NCO who functioned in the most covert levels of military operations.

A simply amazing piece of literature which cuts to the bone. Full Spectrum Disorder is an adventurous journey with philosophical hues that only an experinced combat veteran could provide. With incredible observation and biting wit, Goff takes the reader through one compelling political, strategic and tactical level at a time, ultimately depositing them atop a dizzying peak amidst a sobering view of the immediate obligation of humanity.