Zionism, Militarism and the Decline of US Power [Paperback]

James Petras (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2008

##Following in the train of two highly successful books addressing the influence of Israel on US Middle East policy and the onerous effects of support for Israeli interests that have resulted, Petras pursues this theme to illustrate how the conjunction of Israeli domestc influence in the US, spurring and combined with US militarism, has now led to a decline in U.S. power around the world. #James Petras is a Bartle Professor (Emeritus) of Sociology at Binghamton University, New York. He is the author of 63 books published in 29 languages, and over 560 articles in professional journals, including the American Sociological Review, British Journal of Sociology, Social Research, and Journal of Peasant Studies. He has published over 2000 articles in nonprofessional journals such as the New York Times, the Guardian, the Nation, Christian Science Monitor, Foreign Policy, New Left Review, Partisan Review, TempsModerne, Le Monde Diplomatique, and his commentary is widely carried on the internet.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jim Petras is one of the best informed political scientists of his generation."--Tom Brass, Editor, The Journal of Peasant Studies, Cambridge

"James Petras is #59 in its list of America's 100 most influential liberals (ahead of Noam Chomsky and Stephen Colbert)"--The UK Daily Telegraph

About the Author

James Petras is a Bartle Professor (Emeritus) of Sociology at Binghamton University, New York. He is the author of 63 books published in 29 languages, and over 560 articles in professional journals, such as the American Sociological Review, British Journal of Sociology, and Social Research. He has published over 2000 articles in nonprofessional journals such as the New York Times, Guardian, Nation, Christian Science Monitor, Foreign Policy, New Left Review, Partisan Review, TempsModerne, Le Monde Diplomatique. His commentary is widely carried on the internet, and his views solicited by media.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Clarity Press (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932863604
• ISBN-13: 978-0932863607
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,612 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

102 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ! MUST READ!, December 31, 2008

By 

Drew Hunkins (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zionism, Militarism and the Decline of US Power (Paperback)

Drop whatever you happen to be doing and run, walk or crawl to the nearest bookstore and buy this book! It is flat out phenomenal.

Dr. Petras cuts to the heart of the issues and completely dissects the Zionist Power Configuration (ZPC) in America. He ranges from the authentic reasons the U.S. is occupying Iraq, proving it has nothing to do with oil, to the pro-Israel groups and institutions that permeate American society and culture. Coming under especially harsh criticism is the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (PMAJO) and its propaganda newsletter "Daily Alert." Without fail PMAJO parrots every press briefing and talking point that emanates from Tel Aviv, regardless of how many Palestinian civilians are butchered in the process or malnourished in the Gaza concentration camp.

Petras goes on to demonstrate that Mearsheimer and Walt were too tepid in their criticism of the pro-Israel lobby and failed to address the entire Zionist power apparatus in the United States by only focusing on a small piece of it. Zionism, Militarism and the Decline of US Power explains that Israeli mouthpieces and Jewish apologists for Zionism wield strength in a much more over-arching manner. Not only are the big metropolitan areas (The Apple, LA, Miami, Chicago) inundated with bullies and cheerleaders who harass, boycott, browbeat and intimidate anybody or any institution that has the chutzpah to level an intelligent critique about Israeli violence and Zionist power, but also small and local communities across the country face the same intimidation tactics. The ZPC has a stranglehold that is powerful yet relatively invisible to most. Though of course they're not omnipotent.

A brilliant section, taking up two large chapters of the book, demonstrates that it is the ZPC that's at the forefront in rallying the United States to take up a war against Iran. Its media mouthpieces, executive branch minions and legislative lapdogs, all are beating the war drums, while only top U.S. military brass are issuing well thought out warnings against this insane rush to fight the Persian state. This internal battle within the ruling elites of America: the powerful Israel-Firsters vs independent upper echelon Pentagon analysts is looked at in great detail by Petras.

The last third of this amazing book essentially outlines a more holistic and historical analysis of American politico-economic realities with an eye toward present day Zionist power in America and the contradictions and agreements that crop up regarding various issues, power plays and areas of influence regarding the U.S. empire.

This book should not be missed, steal it if you have to. Anyone who denies, denigrates, or down plays the realities Petras reports is either a fool, a paid shill for the Israeli state, or a frightened Zionist afraid of the truth. Such an eye opening book comes around once every decade.

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A no-holds barred examination of the relationship between Israel and the United States, December 7, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zionism, Militarism and the Decline of US Power (Paperback)

For something which is politically an infant, Israel has played big time on the world politics field. "Zionism, Militarism, and the Decline of US Power" is a no-holds barred examination of the relationship between Israel and the United States, and its effects on the United States pushes for a more peaceful Middle Eastern region. Arguing that the close relationship between the two could have disastrous long term effects, "Zionism, Militarism, and the Decline of US Power" has a dissenting opinion to the populous, and backs it up well.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Review, June 28, 2009

By 

Alan MASK "MASK" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zionism, Militarism and the Decline of US Power (Paperback)

It is about time we Americans know about the ugly face of Zionism and how it aims at controlling the whole world starting with the USA, our beloved country.

Petras does a great job in detailing the different influences that the Zionism lobbies in Washington and around the country exert on our Government, media and economy.

This is terrifying to know but a MUST read for every American, who loves his/her country.