Globalization and the American Century [Paperback]

Alfred E. Eckes Jr (Author), Thomas W. Zeiler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521009065 | ISBN-13: 978-0521009065 | Publication Date: June 30, 2003

Alfred Eckes and Thomas Zeiler argue that the "American Century" of global leadership resulted from revolutionary improvements in technology combined with the leadership elite's enthusiasm for free trade. The authors reveal how this formula helped the nation rise to economic power after the Spanish-American War, and win both world wars and the Cold War. America's power and cultural influence soared as business and financial interests pursued global market dominance in the following decade. But the tragic events of September 2001 and the growing volatility of global finance raise questions as to whether the era of American-led globalization is sustainable.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"(This book) will be enormously useful to historians of international affairs, especially those less well versed in economic than in political or cultural affairs. Eckes and Zeiler provide a richly textured analysis of US trade policy since 1898...and recognize that globalization did not begin when the term was coined in the 1980s. [A] well-documented study set in a detailed framework of US diplomatic history...Globalization and the American Century should prove useful to advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and other scholars." Warren I. Cohen, The International History Review

Book Description

Revolutionary improvements in technology combined with the leadership elite's enthusiasm for de-regulation of markets and free trade to fuel American-style globalization. The nation rose to economic power after the Spanish-American War, and won both world wars and the Cold war, after which America's power and cultural influence soared as business and financial interests pursued the long-term quest for global markets. But, the tragic events of September 2001 and the growing volatility of global finance, raised questions about whether the era of American-led globalization was sustainable, or vulnerable to catastrophic collapse.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521009065
• ISBN-13: 978-0521009065
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars For Academic Libraries Only, July 26, 2008

By 

Reader (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Globalization and the American Century (Paperback)

I'm not sure what audience Cambridge University Press had in mind when it published "Globalization and the American Century." Business and diplomatic historians will be disappointed by its superficiality and near total reliance on secondary sources. Economists will be miffed by the lack of economic analysis. General readers will be put off by the esoteric subject matter and the lack of color. Everyone will be puzzled by the meandering narrative, which hops to and fro between cultural trends, international relations, economics, and potted biography, with no apparent pattern. I have a fairly high tolerance for dry history books -- but I found myself skimming large sections of this one. I would recommend it only for college libraries.