The United States of Ambition offers a penetrating analysis of how American politicians rise to power and the systemic incentives that shape their behavior. Alan Ehrenhalt examines the evolution of political ambition in the United States, exploring how cultural changes, institutional reforms, and shifting public expectations have transformed the nature of public office. Through sharp commentary…
The Politics of Foreign Aid examines the political dynamics behind America's foreign aid programs in Southeast Asia during the early Cold War era. John D. Montgomery analyzes how strategic, economic, and ideological considerations shaped U.S. assistance initiatives, and how these programs influenced local political structures and development policies. This study highlights the complexities, suc…
Homeland Insecurity examines how political decisions in Washington weakened the effectiveness of U.S. law enforcement and national security agencies, particularly the FBI. Drawing from their direct experience in counterterrorism, Terry D. Turchie and Kathleen M. Puckett reveal how partisan politics, bureaucratic changes, and misguided reforms undermined efforts to keep America safe. The authors…
This book presents a series of alternate historical scenarios that reimagine pivotal moments in modern American politics. Jeff Greenfield explores how small, often overlooked events—such as a driver’s mistake, a medical decision, or a brief moment of chance—could have profoundly changed the careers of prominent political figures like John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Geral…
The American Left was born in America, not, as some would have it in Europe or the Third World, and the American Left was nurtured by intellectuals and activists who read Jefferson and Whitman before the read Marx or Mao. One lesson this brilliant history teaches us in that the fury of radical innocence and wounded idealism so peculiar to American intellectual history springs from native soil
This book offers a critical examination of the evolution of American foreign policy in the modern era. William Pfaff analyzes how the longstanding ideology of “Manifest Destiny” has shaped the United States’ international actions and contributed to strategic failures and global tensions. Through historical insight and contemporary evaluation, Pfaff argues that America's pursuit of moral a…
The Frugal Superpower examines how the financial constraints of the early 21st century reshape the global role of the United States. Michael Mandelbaum argues that the era of expansive American international engagement—supported by ample economic resources—is ending, giving rise to a more restrained foreign policy. By analyzing geopolitical shifts, budget limitations, and global expectation…
The Force of Fantasy explores how symbolic communication, storytelling, and rhetorical vision shape American social and political life. Ernest G. Bormann examines the ways collective fantasies influence public opinion, national identity, and political decision-making. Through his analysis of rhetorical movements and shared fantasies, the book demonstrates how narratives help restore, reform, or…
This book provides an in-depth analysis of the political behavior, foreign policy strategies, and international relations of small states in Southeast Asia. Ralph Pettman explores how limited-power nations navigate regional dynamics, negotiate influence, and respond to the pressures of larger global actors. Through case studies and theoretical discussion, the book examines diplomatic patterns, …
Strategies of Survival examines how smaller Asian states navigate the complex realities of international politics amid pressure from major powers. Morrison and Suhrke analyze the diplomatic challenges, security concerns, and strategic responses adopted by Southeast Asian nations during the Cold War era. The book highlights patterns of alignment, balancing, and foreign policy adaptation as these…