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Colossus: The Price of America's Empire
by Niall Ferguson

Colossus: The Price of America's Empire Cover

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"There is much to admire in Colossus: reasoned historical analysis (showing more knowledge of obscure bits of U.S. imperial history than most Americans possess), firm command of economic statistics, pleasing literary cadences.....Ferguson's central point is important and indisputable — that the United States resembles a global empire far more than most Americans, still living in L. Frank Baum's prelapsarian Kansas, take the time to understand." Ted Widmer, Salon.com (read the entire Salon.com review)

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Is America an empire? Certainly not, according to our government. Despite the conquest of two sovereign states in as many years, despite the presence of more than 750 military installations in two thirds of the world's countries and despite his stated intention "to extend the benefits of freedom...to every corner of the world," George W. Bush maintains that "America has never been an empire." "We don't seek empires," insists Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. "We're not imperialistic."

Nonsense, says Niall Ferguson. In Colossus he argues that in both military and economic terms America is nothing less than the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. Just like the British Empire a century ago, the United States aspires to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and representative government. In theory it's a good project, says Ferguson. Yet Americans shy away from the long-term commitments of manpower and money that are indispensable if rogue regimes and failed states really are to be changed for the better. Ours, he argues, is an empire with an attention deficit disorder, imposing ever more unrealistic timescales on its overseas interventions. Worse, it's an empire in denial — a hyperpower that simply refuses to admit the scale of its global responsibilities. And the negative consequences will be felt at home as well as abroad. In an alarmingly persuasive final chapter Ferguson warns that this chronic myopia also applies to our domestic responsibilities. When overstretch comes, he warns, it will come from within — and it will reveal that more than just the feet of the American colossus is made of clay.

Review:

"Is America ready to rule the world? Probably not. But, argues the author, it had better gear up to the task....Discomfiting, highly provocative reading, with ammunition for pro and con alike." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"The erudite and often statistical argument has occasional flashes of wit and may compel liberals to rethink their opposition to intervention, even as it castigates conservatives for their lackluster commitment to nation building." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"Colossus reads, in short, like a series of previously published essays too hastily stitched together....This is unfortunate, because...Ferguson is an accomplished and imaginative scholar. Several of his arguments deserve more careful consideration than they are likely to receive." John Lewis Gaddis, The New York Times Book Review

Synopsis:

Ferguson brings his renowned historical and economic depth of field to bear on a bold and sweeping reckoning with America's imperial status and its consequences.
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About the Author

Niall Ferguson is Herzog Professor of Financial History at the Stern Business School, New York University, and Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford University. Born in Glasgow in 1964, he graduated with First Class Honors from Magdalen College, Oxford. His previous books include The Pity of War, The House of Rothschild (two volumes, available from Penguin), The Cash Nexus, and Empire. A prolific commentator on contemporary politics, he writes and reviews regularly for the American and British press. He and his family divide their time between New York and Oxfordshire.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781594200137
Subtitle:
The Price of America's Empire
Author:
Ferguson, Niall
Publisher:
Penguin Books
Location:
New York
Subject:
United states
Subject:
Economic Conditions
Subject:
Imperialism
Subject:
International Relations - General
Subject:
Government - U.S. Government
Edition Description:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Series Volume:
issue 6
Publication Date:
May 2004
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
384
Dimensions:
9.58x6.44x1.24 in. 1.43 lbs.
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