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More copies of this ISBN:The Sorrows of Empire: An Empire Projectby Chalmers Johnson
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:From the author of the prophetic national bestseller Blowback, a startling look at militarism, American style, and its consequences abroad and at home In the years after the Soviet Union imploded, the United States was described first as the globe’s “lone superpower,” then as a “reluctant sheriff,” next as the “indispensable nation,” and now, in the wake of 9/11, as a “New Rome.” Here, Chalmers Johnson thoroughly explores the new militarism that is transforming America and compelling its people to pick up the burden of empire.Reminding us of the classic warnings against militarism—from George Washington’s farewell address to Dwight Eisenhower’s denunciation of the military-industrial complex—Johnson uncovers its roots deep in our past. Turning to the present, he maps America’s expanding empire of military bases and the vast web of services that supports them. He offers a vivid look at the new caste of professional warriors who have infiltrated multiple branches of government, who classify as “secret” everything they do, and for whom the manipulation of the military budget is of vital interest. Among Johnson’s provocative conclusions is that American militarism is putting an end to the age of globalization and bankrupting the United States, even as it creates the conditions for a new century of virulent blowback. The Sorrows of Empire suggests that the former American republic has already crossed its Rubicon—with the Pentagon leading the way. Review:"In his prescient 2000 bestseller, Blowback, East Asia scholar Johnson predicted dire consequences for a U.S. foreign policy that had run roughshod over Asia. Now he joins a chorus of Bush critics in this provocative, detailed tour of what he sees as America's entrenched culture of militarism, its 'private army' of special forces and its worldwide archipelago of military 'colonies.' According to Johnson, before a mute public and Congress, oil and arms barons have displaced the State Department, secretly creating 'a military juggernaut intent on world domination' and are exercising 'preemptive intervention' for 'oil, Israel, and... to fulfill our self-perceived destiny as a New Rome.' Johnson admits that Bill Clinton, who disguised his policies as globalization, was a 'much more effective imperialist,' but most of the book assails 'the boy emperor' Bush and his cronies with one of the most startling and engrossing accounts of exotic defense capabilities, operations and spending in print, though these assertions are not new and not always assiduously sourced. Fans of Blowback will be pleased despite Johnson's lack of remedies other than 'a revolution' in which 'the people could retake control of Congress... and cut off the supply of money to the Pentagon.'" Publishers Weekly (Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information, Inc.) Review:"A Ciceronian indictment of our nation's transformation from lone superpower to imperial bully." Kirkus Reviews Review:"[A] cry from the heart of an intelligent person who fears the basic values of our republic are in danger." The New York Times Review:"In Chalmers Johnson the American empire has found its Jeremiah. He deserves to be heard; but the proper response to his gloomy message is not despair, but thought followed by action." The Washington Post Synopsis:From the author of the prophetic national bestseller Blowback, comes a startling look at militarism, American style, and its consequences abroad and at home. Synopsis:Includes bibliographical references (p. 313-366) and index.
About the AuthorChalmers Johnson, president of the Japan Policy Research Institute and professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times and The Nation. His previous books include MITI and the Japanese Miracle. He lives in Southern California. Table of ContentsPrologue : the unveiling of the American empire — Imperialisms, old and new — The roots of American militarism — Toward the new Rome — The institutions of American militarism — Surrogate soldiers and private mercenaries — The empire of bases — The spoils of war — Iraq wars — Whatever happened to globalization? — The sorrows of empire.
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