In the sobering aftermath of America's invasion of Iraq, Eugene Jarecki, the creator of the award-winning documentary "Why We Fight," launches a pe...
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reviews
Jul 12, 2009
Keith
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This is an insightful look into the history of what has become to be known as the Military Industrial Complex. From the same person that made the documentary "Why We Fight" (I strongly suggest you view) is a more detailed look at how different administrations such as the Lincoln, FDR/Truman, Eisenhower and Bush presidencies have in times of war or threat of war (such as the Cold War/War on Terrorism) reshaped the American government and tilted the constitutional 'balance of power' more
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Mar 09, 2010
"Terrence"
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A concise and strong overview of American war policy and strategy over the latter twentieth century. Some sections are simply among the best summaries currently available, especially those on the abuses of the Bush administration. Other sections (chapters 4,5) drag on a bit too long and unbalance the work as a whole. The author is a bit too easy on Eisenhower and James Madison, but that situates him as a calm, understated observer, slightly to the right of Eisenhower. This understatement makes h
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Dec 01, 2008
Peter
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An enlightening, detailed explanation of how America wages war and the path that we took to get here. While the main focal point of the book seems to be an attack on the Bush administration's policies, the author explains both how we got to this point and importantly, details much of the past over-stepping that has taken place in the executive branch.
The overall theme seems to be that of warning, the author repeatedly cites Eisenhower's famous final address where he warned of the mil More...
The overall theme seems to be that of warning, the author repeatedly cites Eisenhower's famous final address where he warned of the mil More...
Mar 18, 2011
Patrick
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The book is about increase in American militarism and how this is dangerous in for American security. The most poignant parallel illustration of this fact is the Roman Republic and how its increase in militarization and imperial ambitions caused it to go from the Republic to an omnipotent empire that eroded the principles that the Republic was founded on. Remember that the Roman Republic was fine as a republic until it started to expand its border and thus its military. Once this happened, mo
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Jul 27, 2009
Patrick
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GW Bush is bad, but it's not his fault. Rather, W and his neocons are just the (inevitable?) consequence of the continually evolving and expanding Military-Industrial Complex, itself riding the ripples of the National Security Act. Entire chapters are practically single-sourced from interviews with ex-cogs in the machine or children of influential figures. In spite of these and other shortcomings, there are interesting observations here on the origin of the "missile gap", why our mi
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Oct 18, 2011
Craig
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I've heard it said many times over... "This is a book that every american should read."
Frankly, I think it is true in this case. Jarecki delivers, in plain language without political doublespeak, a history of the Military Industrial Complex and the growing strength of the executive branch of our government - particularly in warmaking and in the shutting down of individual liberties. Though you may know the exterior history if you follow politics, there is so very much ta More...
Frankly, I think it is true in this case. Jarecki delivers, in plain language without political doublespeak, a history of the Military Industrial Complex and the growing strength of the executive branch of our government - particularly in warmaking and in the shutting down of individual liberties. Though you may know the exterior history if you follow politics, there is so very much ta More...
Aug 20, 2011
Miroku
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"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military mac More...
We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military mac More...
Dec 10, 2008
Nick
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This is an important book, one of a very few for a popular audience that attempts to chart the rise of the military-industrial complex and the evolution of our current political imbalance among the three branches. The book often feels clunky and padded, unfortunately. Still, it is one of a very few books out there that attempts seriously to explain how the U.S., that is, us, became a militarist imperium. Worth reading for that alone, but the final chapters, where he discusses John Yoo's argum
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Mar 04, 2009
Amber
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I really enjoyed reading this book. I've never fancied myself very interested in history, but I really appreciated the approach this book took to give context on the current political climate and wars through the lens of the 20th century. I don't think it was entirely neat and cohesive in scope, and there were parts that I found more challenging due to my interest waning, but all in all very glad I read it. I'm looking forward to reading more history now. Made me want to know about other pre
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Jan 28, 2011
Jeffturney
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Incredibly articulate, Eugene Jarecki's work details both the broad historical trends and the lives of some of the noteworthy figures within the larger historical perspective. Pulling from a variety of backgrounds, he explores how we got from the citizen soldiers of the revolution to the PATRIOT Act. I highly recommend it.
Aug 11, 2011
I just couldn't get into it. He had some interesting points, but ultimately nothing compelling or that I hadn't already known. Also, maybe I'm an academic snob but I had a hard time understanding why a film director was credible discussing the military-industrial complex.
Nov 25, 2008
Alex
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This book offers an in-depth look at the military-industrial complex, from World War II under FDR, through Eisenhower's warning, up until today. It's a revealing look at how the military-industrial power acquired and wields so much power and how that affects when and how we fight. It also considers the effect the military-industrial complex has had on the constitutional separation of powers.
In spite of the heavy subject, the book is a pretty light read. It's a worthwhile read for any More...
In spite of the heavy subject, the book is a pretty light read. It's a worthwhile read for any More...
Mar 15, 2009
Will
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Superficial, but broad, this book is at its best when it traces the historical roots of current policies.
Includes great words like "jeremiandic" and "sclerotic".
Includes great words like "jeremiandic" and "sclerotic".
Dec 08, 2008
Christopher
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In the interest of self-promotion I feel obligated to give this four stars. The writing itself does not rank that, the content and thesis absolutely does.
Dec 24, 2008
Robert
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This is an awesome book. It provides background for and context to the state of our government and how it has evolved , particularly since WWII. The executive branch now overpowers the other branches of our government leading to a predisposition for war. I can honestly say that this book gave me a ton of new insight into how the government is supposed to work and how it works in reality and the consequences of the current structure of our government. I have a much deeper appreciation for new eve
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Nov 25, 2009
Surfing Moose
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I guess I was expecting something different. I found it to be a bit disjointed and dry. Will try reading it later as the subject matter is quite interesting.
Sep 29, 2010
Jennifer
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Would've liked more on US policies in the past, but what was there was very interesting (found the second half dragged on)
Feb 04, 2009
John
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Top notch critique of contemporary america's military industrial and political system.
Jul 29, 2011
Should be used in every school. Oustanding research, writing, and topics.
Oct 23, 2010
Jim
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This book is about war, but what it really makes you think about is the way war distorts the balance of power between our branches of government. Buy buying $500B worth of stuff every year, the Pentagon turns Congress into professional class of pleaders and empowers the executive. This book fills in the rest of the story behind Eisenhower's prescient "military industrial complex" speech by adding "congress."
Feb 23, 2009
Christopher Rex
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How the Miitary-Industrial Complex came to dominate our lives and US policy-making. By the maker of the film "Why We Fight"
Jan 31, 2009
Sean
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This was a good companion book to the documentary "Why we Fight". I highly recommend the documentary
Feb 19, 2011
Sequoia
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Recently I watched Why We Fight and found myself wanting to explore the topic more. I'm looking forward to learning more about the our nation's violent predilections.
Jul 15, 2010
Sheetal
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Really interesting history of war and how scary the military industrial complex really is and was way before bush...
Dec 22, 2011
Picked this up yesterday at the discount book shop. So far, very interesting....
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