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America's War Machine: Vested Interests, Endless Conflicts
A veteran Washington reporter reveals how years of military-slanted domestic and foreign policy have turned the U.S. into a perpetual war machine.
When President Dwight D. Eisenhower prepared to leave the White House in 1961, he did so with an ominous message for the American people about the "disastrous rise" of the military-industrial complex. Fifty years later, the complex has morphed into a virtually unstoppable war machine, one that dictates U.S. economic and foreign policy in a direct and substantial way.
Based on his experiences as an award-winning Washington-based reporter covering national security, James McCartney presents a compelling history, from the Cold War to present day that shows that the problem is far worse and far more wide-reaching than anything Eisenhower could have imagined. Big Military has become "too big to fail" and has grown to envelope the nation's political, cultural and intellectual institutions. These centers of power and influence, including the now-complicit White House and Congress, have a vested interest in preparing and waging unnecessary wars. The authors persuasively argue that not one foreign intervention in the past 50 years has made us or the world safer.
With additions by Molly Sinclair McCartney, a fellow journalist with 30 years of experience, America's War Machine provides the context for today's national security state and explains what can be done about it.
When President Dwight D. Eisenhower prepared to leave the White House in 1961, he did so with an ominous message for the American people about the "disastrous rise" of the military-industrial complex. Fifty years later, the complex has morphed into a virtually unstoppable war machine, one that dictates U.S. economic and foreign policy in a direct and substantial way.
Based on his experiences as an award-winning Washington-based reporter covering national security, James McCartney presents a compelling history, from the Cold War to present day that shows that the problem is far worse and far more wide-reaching than anything Eisenhower could have imagined. Big Military has become "too big to fail" and has grown to envelope the nation's political, cultural and intellectual institutions. These centers of power and influence, including the now-complicit White House and Congress, have a vested interest in preparing and waging unnecessary wars. The authors persuasively argue that not one foreign intervention in the past 50 years has made us or the world safer.
With additions by Molly Sinclair McCartney, a fellow journalist with 30 years of experience, America's War Machine provides the context for today's national security state and explains what can be done about it.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 8, 2018
Eye opening book on America's addition to War from a well respected author. Lot's of facts and well referenced.
September 1, 2015
Finished the book this past weekend. Appreciate the opportunity to have been chosen to review an advance copy. I have already passed it on.
The insert included with the book is an excellent overview of the content as well as the conclusions/recommendations contained therein.
Clearly it is an eye opener and in my opinion a must read for every concerned American citizen. It’s a relatively easy read despite addressing issues that appear to be complex, when in fact the root cause is really quite simple to understand.
We discover when it all started, how it got escalated, and why, unfortunately, it will be allowed to continue to grow with no end in sight.
Although I feel this to be a must read, I fear that despite enlightening readers and making them as angry as it made me that very little else will come of it. It’s beyond the abilities of the voting public.
If there was one point that was made painfully clear it’s that so long as our elected officials are more concerned about being re-elected, the campaign funding and support of the defense industry, and fear of appearing weak on defense, the juggernaut will continue to grow and increase in power and destructiveness.
The book deserves to sell well. I sincerely hope that it does.
Again, thanks for the opportunity.
Regards~
Joe Soltis
Westchester, IL.
The insert included with the book is an excellent overview of the content as well as the conclusions/recommendations contained therein.
Clearly it is an eye opener and in my opinion a must read for every concerned American citizen. It’s a relatively easy read despite addressing issues that appear to be complex, when in fact the root cause is really quite simple to understand.
We discover when it all started, how it got escalated, and why, unfortunately, it will be allowed to continue to grow with no end in sight.
Although I feel this to be a must read, I fear that despite enlightening readers and making them as angry as it made me that very little else will come of it. It’s beyond the abilities of the voting public.
If there was one point that was made painfully clear it’s that so long as our elected officials are more concerned about being re-elected, the campaign funding and support of the defense industry, and fear of appearing weak on defense, the juggernaut will continue to grow and increase in power and destructiveness.
The book deserves to sell well. I sincerely hope that it does.
Again, thanks for the opportunity.
Regards~
Joe Soltis
Westchester, IL.
September 15, 2015
I received this book as part of Goodreads' First Reads program.
Way back in the 1950's, President Eisenhower warned us about the "military-industrial complex." Not without reason. Over the ensuing sixty-plus years, that complex has grown into a...well, machine.
The problems come from a variety of areas. The military has been extraordinarily successful with its public relations battles. Private industry acts as private industry is supposed to act...seeking to maximize profits. Our elected leaders (and their appointees) are beholden to the money that private industry provides. It's a vicious circle, one that won't be broken easily.
McCartney see the vicious circle, and he can explain how it functions. He proposes solutions to those problems, but the solutions are surface-level, and unlikely to be implemented, because they don't seem to address the bigger issues.
Way back in the 1950's, President Eisenhower warned us about the "military-industrial complex." Not without reason. Over the ensuing sixty-plus years, that complex has grown into a...well, machine.
The problems come from a variety of areas. The military has been extraordinarily successful with its public relations battles. Private industry acts as private industry is supposed to act...seeking to maximize profits. Our elected leaders (and their appointees) are beholden to the money that private industry provides. It's a vicious circle, one that won't be broken easily.
McCartney see the vicious circle, and he can explain how it functions. He proposes solutions to those problems, but the solutions are surface-level, and unlikely to be implemented, because they don't seem to address the bigger issues.
September 8, 2015
I was happy to receive an advanced copy of America's War Machine from good reads. Throughout it is very easy to see the author’s expansive knowledge on Washington's foreign policy from his experience as a long time columnist. The use of historical as well as present day facts (thanks to his wife finishing the book) and well-designed chapters make it an engaging and quick read. Anyone who enjoys history and wants a better understanding of how the military is shaping not just America, but the world should read this book.
September 21, 2020
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A revealing look at how the US obsession with the military has influenced its policy. This is easy to read, not filled with jargon, and will make people question how to break the machine and if this is even possible.
Elisa, Book Grocer
A revealing look at how the US obsession with the military has influenced its policy. This is easy to read, not filled with jargon, and will make people question how to break the machine and if this is even possible.
Elisa, Book Grocer
November 29, 2015
I received this book as part of the goodreads program. This book highlights how powerful the political/military/industrial complex is, how much more military might and assets we have over other countries. This was a great book n that it helped me question my thoughts and views relating to a strong military, and at what point is there too strong of a military.
November 18, 2016
This is going to be short. If US militarism concerns you, read this book. It is authoritative, a joy to read, & essential. If you want to know the authors' slant, they prefer peace to war.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews