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The Tragedy of American Diplomacy 50th Anniversary Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
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“A brilliant book on foreign affairs.”―Adolf A. Berle Jr., New York Times Book Review

This incisive interpretation of American foreign policy ranks as a classic in American thought. First published in 1959, the book offered an analysis of the wellsprings of American foreign policy that shed light on the tensions of the Cold War and the deeper impulses leading to the American intervention in Vietnam. William Appleman Williams brilliantly explores the ways in which ideology and political economy intertwined over time to propel American expansion and empire in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The powerful relevance of Williams’s interpretation to world politics has only been strengthened by recent events in Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. Williams allows us to see that the interests and beliefs that once sent American troops into Texas and California, or Latin America and East Asia, also propelled American forces into Iraq.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0393334740
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0393334746
  3. Edition
    50th Anniversary
  4. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  5. Publication date
    April 6, 2009
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
  8. Print length
    384 pages
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A former president of the Organization of American Historians, William Appleman Williams taught for many years at the University of Wisconsin and Oregon State University. His books include The Contours of American History, The Tragedy of American Diplomacy, and Empire as a Way of Life.

Andrew J. Bacevich is a professor of international relations and history at Boston University.

Lloyd C. Gardner is the Charles and Mary Beard Professor of History at Rutgers University.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 6, 2009
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 50th Anniversary
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393334740
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393334746
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #165,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 99 ratings

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William Appleman Williams

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
99 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book readable and enlightening, with one describing it as a must-read classic.

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ReadabilityEnlightened content
5 customers mention "Readability"4 positive1 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as a must-read classic.

"Excellent book. Foreign policy of U.S. Presented in clear concise easily understood terms...." Read more

"A must read classic. A little dated, but equips the reader to supply the needed updates." Read more

"Good book that examines US Foreign Policy from an Open Door Economic view. It has it's flaws, but it is an older text...." Read more

"...because politics and history don't interest me, but it was soo tedious for me to read. I only bought this book because I had a paper to do about it...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enlightened content"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enlightening, with one describing it as a fine piece of scholarship.

"...This was a very enlightening text, where Williams challenges the traditional views of the cause of the Cold War, while explaining the U.S.government..." Read more

"One of the most informative books I've ever read. Now I can understand why we're in the situation we're in worldwide." Read more

"Erudite, splendidly crafted, fine piece of scholarhip..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • caseyat bat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book. Foreign policy of U
    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Excellent book. Foreign policy of U.S. Presented in clear concise easily understood terms. My opinion (as 8 year Viet Nam era USN vet who was at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station during Bay of Pigs invasion), should be required reading at high school level and read by every citizen with honest drive to understand the development of American political ego. If one really wants to understand U.S. involvement in economic expansion (including use of war and economic power to acquire resources for American enterprises) a must read. Copyright 1959, 1962, 1972, and this 50 year anniversary edition will take the reader from American Frontier" expansion to "Global Frontier" expansion. The discerning reader will understand the use of "Democracy and Freedom", "Self Determination of other nations", "Altruistic motives", and yes, FEAR, and DEMONIZATION as CARROTS to obtain public support for policies (destructive ones) that are totally ECONOMIC drivers to preserve the U.S system for global expansion. The "Open Door Policy" clearly defined from end of 1800s through TODAY regardless of political party in power. Must be willing and desire to understand. Even more relevant today as in the 1800s, 1959, and beyond Not for BLIND patriots, BLIND nationalists, or that 48% that goes to extremes to ignore the true methods and consequences of our foreign policy. This knowledge would be beneficial if there was actually a WILL to use it to change.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • alman5555
    5.0 out of 5 stars A mild rebuke.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The book is an old printing with the headline, " controversial bestseller". It may have been back then, but not know. The author Williams is writing as a critic of America's open door policy. But unlike later critics of American policy, he doesn't attribute sinister motives to past leaders. I don't see why Williams has a problem with America wanting to sell its surplus goods overseas. America feeds the world. Even during the cold war America shipped grain to the Soviets. Where we agree, and which is relevant today, is that our version of Democracy is not for everyone. We should have heeded his warnings, and that of Ron Paul, and stayed out of Iraq, and the middle east in general. We should just offer our goods to anyone who wants them. The only time the govt should intervene if American citizens lives are threatened. Nations that are trading with each other are not fighting each other.
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  • Karun Mukherjee
    4.0 out of 5 stars Erudite, splendidly crafted, fine piece of scholarhip
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    Williams book explores paradoxical nature of US Foreign Policy.

    Firstly author refutes orthodox view that accidental,inadvertent turn of events transformed America into a global power.Williams has argued market forces unleashed by private free enterprise economy dictated the growth of American power;it has also molded country's foreign policy and continues to do so.To comprehend this fully one has to understand the intricacies of Capitalism.

    It goes without saying that Capitalism carries within it the seed of self destruction.Late 19th century American economy was convulsed by frequent bouts of economic depression which led to wide spread social unrest.Home markets saturated with goods which people find difficult to absorb as they had only limited purchasing power.'Frontier' had close down and country's leading intellectuals [William Jackson Turner,Brooke Adams,Alfred Thayer Mahan] frantically called for overseas expansion avert an impending economic doom

    Thus economic considerations compelled successive American Presidents[Grover Clevland,William Mckinley,Thedore Roosevelt,Woodrow Wilson]to remake the world in America's image.Unfortunately this policy boomeranged because Afro,Asian,Latin American world refused to share American view

    Iniquitous,unfair trade practised by US helped Washington to enrich in detriment to welfare of latter economies.This was closely followed by American tendency to externalise evil.It posits the view that other nations have a stake in America's continued,prosperous existence.This preposterous notion,according to the author, has been the starting point America's troubles.Actually problem lay in funamental nature of capitalist economy.Attempts to reverse this trend triggered counter revolutionary wars in Asia,Latin America.The above feature forms essence of this book;this idea continues to permeate the book.

    Williams provide fresh interpretation on the onset of Cold WarHe holds Truman administration accountable for the coming of iron curtain in Eastern Europe.Firstly in immediate postwar years US taking advantage of its economic might tried to extend its 'open door'policy into Eastern Europe.Further exploiting atomic monopoly the President tried to reverse political order which emerged in areas under Soviet control.

    We may pause here try to establish reasons behind America's post war hostility toward Soviet Union.Unlike Britain which during the days of the empire could invest and dominate worldwide, America upon the end of World War II inherited a divided world

    Soviet economy wth its emphasis on industrial self sufficency apart from shutting the door US investment was in the process of curtailing imports substantially.With the success of Communist revolution 1/3rd of world's population had wrenched free from capitalist sphere influence.With so much production capacity lying idle,US by the end of World War II was haunted by a spectre of another depression.Challenge before America -challenges her still-wheather market will shrink.

    Marshall plan leading to massive post war reconstruction Western Europe must be seen from this angle.Rebuilding war-ravaged economies stimulated economic growth in US.Thus in my opinion Marshall plan must not be construed as a manifestation of American altruism;it was motivated by economic self interest.

    Author's stress upon market forces dictating the American destiny

    broadly agrees with Marxian interpretation of History.Perhaps this was reason why Williams was dubbed Marxist,Stalinist by conservative,liberal elite of his country.This book deserves to be read by those whio believe current anti American sentiment sweeping the world stems from sheer envy for American prosperity.
    25 people found this helpful
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  • david
    5.0 out of 5 stars A classic
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A must read classic. A little dated, but equips the reader to supply the needed updates.
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  • LuJo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tragedy
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    William Appleman Williams analyzes the complex tragedy of American diplomacy through historical relations between the U.S. and Cuba from the Spanish-American War through the Cold War, and beyond. This was a very enlightening text, where Williams challenges the traditional views of the cause of the Cold War, while explaining the U.S.government's agenda for economic expansion.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Tony C..
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone needs to read this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    One of the most informative books I've ever read.
    Now I can understand why we're in the situation we're in worldwide.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • william boelhower
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book in good condition, service excellent
    Reviewed in Italy on April 17, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Book in good condition, service excellent
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  • Grace
    1.0 out of 5 stars Used, bad condition
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Came with a battered and dirty front and back cover and ruined spine, and inside the pages were written all over with black pen and highlighted in pink. Not what I expected at all. Took weeks to arrive and I was very disappointed when it arrived. A complete ripoff. DO NOT BUY!
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