Synopses & Reviews
While there have been many analyses of American imperialism, few have equaled the breadth or insight of
America: From White Settlement to World Hegemony, which was one of the first books to provide a historical perspective on the origins of the American empire.
Victor Kiernan, heralded by Edward Said as the “great Scottish historian of empire,” employs a nuanced knowledge of history, literature, and politics in his tracing of the evolution of American power. Far reaching and ambitious in its scope, the book combines accounts of the changing relationship between Native Americans and the white population with readings of the works of key cultural figures such as Melville and Whitman, as well as an analysis of the way in which money and politics became so closely intertwined in American democracy. The result is a compelling account of how the country came to be the dangerous global power that it is today. Brought up-to-date with an afterword by John Trumpbour, research director at Harvard Law School, this new edition includes a look at America’s ongoing war on terror.
Review
"The re-issue of Kiernan’s fine study of American imperialism is a very welcome event. His acute analysis, penetrating insights, and immense knowledge have lost none of their luster and are of great contemporary significance."
Review
“A graphic account of imperial imaginings.”
Synopsis
While there have been many analyses of American imperialism, few have equalled the breadth or insight of this seminal text, one of the first to provide a historical perspective on the origins of the American empire. Victor Kiernan, one of the world's most respected historians, employs a nuanced knowledge of history, literature, and politics in tracing the evolution of American power.
Far reaching and ambitious in scope, the book combines accounts of the changing relationship between Native Americans and the white population with readings of the works of key cultural figures, such as Melville and Whitman, as well as an analysis of the way in which money and politics became so closely intertwined in American democracy.
Also included is a preface by Eric Hobsbawm providing insight into his own views on American imperialism as well as a valuable introduction to Victor Kiernan's work. Together, they shed useful light on such issues as the uses and misuses of American military might, its lack of respect for international agreements, and the right to pre-emptive defence - issues which remain just as urgent today.
About the Author
Victor Kiernan (1913-2009) was one of Britain’s most distinguished historians and the author of The Lords of Human Kind, European Empires from Conquest to Collapse, and Shakespeare: Poet and Citizen, among many others.
Table of Contents
Introduction by John Trumpbour
Preface by Eric Hobsbawm
Foreword
Part One: The Winning of the National Territory
1. The Birth of a Nation
2. The Pursuit of Happiness
3. White Man and Red Man
Part Two: Middle Decades
4. The literary Mirror
5. From West Indies to Far East
6. Civil War and After
7. The Last Indian Wars
Part Three: Overseas Expansion and the War with Spain
8. The Red Man in Custody
9. New Visions of Empire
10. Latin America and Further Asia
11. Anglo-Saxons and their Wars
Part Four: Imperial Choices for a New Century
12. The Progressivist Era
13. The Philippines Experiment, and Direct or Indirect Rule
14. Dollar Diplomacy in Central America
15. Old World Frustrations, and Ideas of a New World Order
Part Five: Two Strides to World Power
16. Great War and not so great Peace
17. Victory and After: The Mirror of Science Fiction
18. America, the World's Banker
19. Slump Years, and a New Look at the Red Indian
20. From Isolationism to Conquest
Part Six: The American Hegemony
21. Capitalism, Militarism and the Cold War
22. The Old Empires and Neo-Colonialism
23. War in Vietnam and its Repercussions
24. The Middle East and Africa
25. Latin America
26. Retrospect and Prospect
Epilogue by John Trumpbour
Bibliography
Index