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250th out of 455 books
—
223 voters
Strategic Vision: America and the Crisis of Global Power
By 1991, following the disintegration first of the Soviet bloc and then of the Soviet Union itself, the United States was left standing tall as the only global super-power. Not only the 20th but even the 21st century seemed destined to be the American centuries. But that super-optimism did not last long. During the last decade of the 20th century and the first decade of th...more
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
January 24th 2012
by Basic Books
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Brzezinski entirely ignores the dangers posed by Jared Diamond in collapse,and fails to account for three unavoidable factors that have nothing to do with international politics. The first is the inevitable effects of global warming in at least the next fifty years, and the growing dearth of conventional argibusiness, and food shortages, famines and riots. The second is the interactive effects of a decrease in available potable water, and its collateral effect on the rise and spread of pandemic...more
As someone who worries abut the decline of America in the world, I found Brzezinski’s book very informative in giving me an overview. I would recommend it to others interested in geopolitical issues. It is for me hard reading, no anecdotes, and loaded with facts, statistics, history, and evaluations, which is great, but also requires more background than I have to fully grasp much of it. So instead of a review, I will simply point out that he deals with many conflict areas around the globe, with...more
Mr. Brzezinski lays out his views with great clarity. Amongst all the things he writes, I was appreciative of his estimation that we in the US are shooting ourselves in the head by our ignorance of other nations in the world and our ignorance about the difficult challenges facing us on quite a few fronts. I, also, appreciate how in a deft drawing of the fall of the USSR, he does not make mention of Ronald Reagan--- and the analysis is none the less cogent for it. He succinctly renders devastatin...more
A great primer for an era in which the United States' global influence is perceived to be declining. Brzezinski sees the domestic climate of the United States, with its fiscal recklessness, lack of educated discourse and political demagoguery as having a stagnating effect on America's global leadership. If it can't get its house in order, the United States could experience a long-term and dramatic decline on the international scene, and Brzezinski spends the first half of the book describing the...more
Zbigniew Brzezinski reviews the role of the United States in the global world beginning with a historical look at Europe and the west then the new players including China, India, Japan, Russia, and Turkey. He cites the negative geopolitical future of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Korea and the regional instability of nations like Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Taiwan, South Korea, and Israel.
While he lists the challenges such as our unsustainable national debt, our flawed financial system, widen...more
While he lists the challenges such as our unsustainable national debt, our flawed financial system, widen...more
Well considered proposal for US interests over the next few decades. Brzezinski considers the current state of affairs, analyzing policy in the major power blocs, posits a plausible future if the US continues its current policies, and proposes some alternatives that might lead to better results. The author writes with assurance on these topics, and is likely to have some influence in geopolitics. I first encountered this book when reading Foreign Affairs in paper form--each issue helps pass the...more
Great insight. Zibig provides a good, solid brief history of global politics and international affairs. He then jumps quickly to analyzing the status of the US in the context of current affairs, including a good section on the influence of social media. He also uses a number of charts and graphs that are easily understood, and concludes with a good assessment of where the US is today in the new environment which is post Cold War, post bi-polar. He acknowledges the waning power of the West in the...more
Jul 28, 2012
Donna Mente
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
international politics
Recommended to Donna by:
saw author on television
A small book, but very complex reading, Dr. Brzezinski describes the emergence of the USA as the world's only super power in 1991, following the demise of the Soviet Union.
The writer explores the present weaknesses and strengths of America and warns that the present path of its military at the expense of continuing inequality, declining education, lack of attention to its infrastructure, and political intransigence may lead to America toppling off its perch. The ensuing scramble as other nations...more
The writer explores the present weaknesses and strengths of America and warns that the present path of its military at the expense of continuing inequality, declining education, lack of attention to its infrastructure, and political intransigence may lead to America toppling off its perch. The ensuing scramble as other nations...more
The first 30 pages are like a test; can you read this without feeling lost about every 8 words? Then there are another 30 pages of the doldrums; can you read this without falling asleep? After that it's just difficult.
Which is not to say that I didn't enjoy it. The brief history of empires in the beginning was very enlightening and well-presented in spite of the extremely high reading level. There were only a few places where I thought the author was out of touch with reality, though I often rec...more
Which is not to say that I didn't enjoy it. The brief history of empires in the beginning was very enlightening and well-presented in spite of the extremely high reading level. There were only a few places where I thought the author was out of touch with reality, though I often rec...more
concise and easy to follow. The main premise is that the world's future is murky if the US falls from global power. He believes that the rise of China although economically certain is politically uncertain. The future of the world depends on the US adopting a dual role. It must be the promoter and guarantor of greater unity in an expanded West (including Russia and Turkey), and a balancer and conciliator between major powers in the East. Conspicuously missing from the equation is the role of the...more
How does the US assert itself with the rise of Russia, Brazil, India
and China's economic growth and what do we do in the future to
take advantage of being the largest economy and consumer, still?
Countries still envy the post WWII economic prosperity of the US
and we can continue to be leaders of innovation, technology,
food production, rebuilding our infrastructure -- but we need to get
the house in order and quit policing the world and fighting wars.
and China's economic growth and what do we do in the future to
take advantage of being the largest economy and consumer, still?
Countries still envy the post WWII economic prosperity of the US
and we can continue to be leaders of innovation, technology,
food production, rebuilding our infrastructure -- but we need to get
the house in order and quit policing the world and fighting wars.
A brief and cogent analysis of the United States' relative global decline in influence, the possible consequences of continued decline, and what is to be done to prevent this.
Also offers an incisive and comprehensive overview of American domestic failings, and offers an 'assets and liabilities' table comparing its' weaknesses and strengths.
A remarkable book, which crams volumes of piercing strategic analysis into barely 200 pages.
Also offers an incisive and comprehensive overview of American domestic failings, and offers an 'assets and liabilities' table comparing its' weaknesses and strengths.
A remarkable book, which crams volumes of piercing strategic analysis into barely 200 pages.
Great read!!
Any student or follower of current events will find this latest exposition of Zbigniew Brzezinski a useful jewel to distinguish our present world situation; also, how America may plan itself to deal as one of three superpowers and not lead ( and protect) on its own.
I would use this book as a textbook. I'm sure it is beginning to go on the college bookstores selves---I hope so!
Without letting up on any spoilers, the problems of our educational system does prop up and our debt; als...more
Any student or follower of current events will find this latest exposition of Zbigniew Brzezinski a useful jewel to distinguish our present world situation; also, how America may plan itself to deal as one of three superpowers and not lead ( and protect) on its own.
I would use this book as a textbook. I'm sure it is beginning to go on the college bookstores selves---I hope so!
Without letting up on any spoilers, the problems of our educational system does prop up and our debt; als...more
Z-big is neither complimentary of our foreign policy efforts or optimistic about their future. I respect his opinion and insight. He's been in the trenches and knows the territory. I tend to have a little rosier view and look at the long term trend of societies continuing to get along better than they used to, despite the numerous issues the world faces at any given time.
I read this book because I love its author on "Morning Joe." I heard his strong, knowledgeable voice in this small volume and sat and read it in a couple of hours. It is a bit dry--but it contains information about our past and some keys to our future as a country and a society. I learned something--and that's what reading great books is all about.
Regardless of what you think of the man, this book is written with breathtaking clarity. The charts, numbers and graphs are very convincing to say the least
It also provides me a bit of hope in this new geopolitical climate that USA won't go from number 1 to number 10 but will instead slide into a co operative model with BRiC
It also provides me a bit of hope in this new geopolitical climate that USA won't go from number 1 to number 10 but will instead slide into a co operative model with BRiC
Normally I am not harsh on authors, but this guy is so full of himself that he spends the entire book talking in circles. Read it for a class. I can normally digest a book this size in a matter of a few hours. This took me months and I hated every minute of it. Good news was it was cheap.
This was a pretty good read..though he doesn't take into account the 'irrational actor' and what that could mean in places like Russia, Korea, and Iran for formulating foreign policy..a good book to read along with this is 'Predictably Irrational' by Dan Ariely
I was not a big fan of this book. Mr. Brzezinski seems to write still from the Cold War mindset of us against them. I think he did have some interesting points on areas the US needs to address domestically in order to be able to pursue a global strategic vision, but I'm still a little unsure if I agree with that vision.
Still a devotee of realism, his prescription however sounds uncomfortably like a white man's burden. Not as idealistic as a neocon, nor as unilateral, yet I often worried what the next paragraph might bring.
A clear and understandable perspective on America's place among nations today and the differing courses history make take depending on how we manage our options.
Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski the father of MSNBC Morning Joe's co-host Mika Brzezinski This good was outstanding, and it will be one that read again. His insight to many of the worlds problems, and about the problems here in the United States, then, now, and in the future, from the time I have been watching Morning Joe, on MSNBC from 6:00-9:00 AM where he has appeared several times, if you could hear him speak, in person then one should do it. You will walk away thinking a lot more about the problems...more
May 2013: I've actually preordered the paperback from Amazon China - just waiting 'til September.
While I am waiting, I've come across on iTunes Brzezinski: Lessons from a Life of Strategy , in which Jon Alterman interviewed Brzezinski. I've still to listen to it (downloading now), but it looks interesting.
While I am waiting, I've come across on iTunes Brzezinski: Lessons from a Life of Strategy , in which Jon Alterman interviewed Brzezinski. I've still to listen to it (downloading now), but it looks interesting.
Excellent commentary on how you have to think about foreign policy based upon history and interests.
This started out strong, but the conclusions and recommendations left me looking for more.
A fascinating analysis of America's role in the world, past, present and future.
A must read for anyone interested in global issues
A difficult read but worth it.
A broad and comprehensive overview of the strategic situation and challenges of today's world from an American perspective. Sharp and not pulling any punches Brzesinski precisely articulates the challenges facing especially the US in terms of regaining and maintaining global leadership.
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Zbigniew Kazimierz Brzezinski is a Polish-American political scientist, geostrategist, and statesman who served as United States National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. Known for his hawkish foreign policy at a time when the Democratic Party was increasingly dovish, he is a foreign policy realist and considered by some to be the Democrats' response to Republican real...more
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Sep 08, 2012 02:02am
Oct 21, 2012 10:38pm