Unfinished Business: Afghanistan, the Middle East and Beyond--Defusing the Dangers That Threatenamerica's Security [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Harlan Ullman (Author), John McCain (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• ISBN-10: 0806524316
• ASIN: B000HWYJ9O
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,434,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insight in a Time of Crisis, September 9, 2002

By 

Change Agent "Change Agent" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unfinished Business: Afghanistan, the Middle East and Beyond--Defusing the Dangers That Threatenamerica's Security (Hardcover)

This is a sweeping examination of the world scene that moves easily from analysis to tough recommendations.

If you want to put current questions about what is happening around the world into context, especially questions about the source and role of global terror, Unfinished Business is a book well worth reading. Its author, Harlan Ullman, has inner-office access to both Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; indeed he has had access to most of the leaders of the last two decades. In Unfinished Business, he not only focuses on the likely need for the current President Bush to finish what his father surprisingly left undone in the Gulf War. More importantly, Ullman also focuses on America's -- indeed western civilization's true and more profound unfinished business: spurring strong economic and social/political progress around the globe. This Ullman sees as the fundamental means of eradicating most of the sources and causes of terror.

On the way to discussing the need for global growth, Ullman also suggests we pay more attention to our own homeland security system, lest the unfinished business that gets finished first is another attack on the United States. Ullman?s view is that our openness makes us very vulnerable and that upsetting the U.S. economy is a principle objective of bin Laden and his followers.

As Under Secretary of the Navy from 1997 through 2000, I often met with Harlan Ullman to discuss defense policy. Like his book, his insights were always tough-minded and worthy of thought and action.

With a foreword by Senator John McCain, this book should be read by anyone who now plays, or hopes to play a guiding role in America in the next decade. If you are leading a "great issues / great decisions" study group in your local community, I would highly recommend Unfinished Business as a way to inform and excite minds that are eager to learn more about world affairs.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding and Extremely Timely Book, July 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Unfinished Business: Afghanistan, the Middle East and Beyond--Defusing the Dangers That Threatenamerica's Security (Hardcover)

A truly well written and concise book offering an excellent historical perspective and most effectively utilizing specifics to describe, analyze, and clarify positions. Through a common-sense approach, the author offers detailed background information to support his insights into many of the most urgent challenges facing the United States at the present time. While presenting a realistic view of the current worldwide situation, Dr. Ullman captures the key decisions facing American Foreign Policy with most logical options and appealing solutions.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common Sense in a Very Challenging World, June 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Unfinished Business: Afghanistan, the Middle East and Beyond--Defusing the Dangers That Threatenamerica's Security (Hardcover)

Unfinished Business presents an excellent historical perspective on new and enormously challenging issues facing the United States. We are engaged in a War that goes well beyond diplomatic and military resources, skills, and experience.

Harlan Ullman objectively presents background of these most serious and difficult threats to our democratic and free enterprise systems. He offers potential options available to us and advocates common sense ideas and recommended actions. His Long Term Plan would appear to have a much better chance of success than other "band aid" solutions that have not and are not likely to achieve our national interests. In honestly stating the current situation, Dr. Ullman offers recommendations that will require ongoing and major commitments by our country.

Unfinished Business is a clearly written and logical work that provides insights into huge challenges facing the US. This book is most successful in defining with clarity, from an American perspective, the magnitude of the current threats to our society. Dr. Ullman, most importantly, offers sound ideas and recommendations as to actions that can truly make a difference.