In "The Icarus Syndrome," Peter Beinart tells a tale as old as the Greeks -- a story about the seductions of success. Beinart describes Washing... read full description
reviews
Oct 01, 2011
Efrem
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Peter Beinart firmly places himself in the liberal camp in terms of politics, yet presents us with a tome that chronicles the rise of hubris of the United States that seems to have some conservative elements to it in terms of who built up the hubris (liberals LBJ and Woodrow Wilson). The book is named for Icarus, who in his foolishness, fly too high toward the sun and came crashing back down to earth. Beinhart labels three times in history that hubris has cost us here in the America, the time af
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Oct 13, 2010
Tiffoknee the 3rd
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"[...] the recognition that no collection of mortals can impose its will on an unruly globe is not a sign of decay, but of wisdom. And tempered by wisdom American optimism is--and and always will be--one of the great wonders of the world."
I enjoyed this book. Beinart has composed a meaty examination of the United States's foreign policy priorities. From Wilsonian principles to the more recent errant forays of the Bush administration, Beinart makes brilliant use of histori More...
I enjoyed this book. Beinart has composed a meaty examination of the United States's foreign policy priorities. From Wilsonian principles to the more recent errant forays of the Bush administration, Beinart makes brilliant use of histori More...
Jan 24, 2011
Lauren
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Interesting but overlong and repetitious. The author's point is that success makes us cocky. We run a block and think we can win a marathon. In doing so, we ignore critical differences between our original situation and the new one. "[F]oreign policy hubris consists of thinking that you are merely applying the lessons of the past while actually expanding them as the result of success." The book would have been stronger had Beinart shortened it, taken out the constant repetition
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Jan 16, 2011
Marshall
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An interesting, well-written book on American 20th century history on foreign policy. I've never thought of military confidence in terms of economic boom-and-bust cycles, as this book does. It focuses on three wars: World War I and Woodrow Wilson's "scientific peace," Vietnam and the "hubris of toughness," and Iraq and the "hubris of dominance." About every 40 years, emboldened by a stint of military and economic glory, America has tended to set its sights higher an
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Jun 06, 2010
Beinart's recent essay on the decline of American Zionism made quite a splash. Not so much because he says something terribly knew and surprising, but because of who he is, i guess - a sincere supporter of the idea of Israel, and with an Orthodox background, no less.
Aug 16, 2011
John
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"We thought for a moment that the world was plastic and the future unlimited." - Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.
"When liberals remarked in horror that genocide wsa occurring in 1994, they were assuming that 1994 would be better than 1944.... Arthur Schlesinger and Reinhold Niebuhr had not assumed that 1944 would naturally be better than 1904. They had not assumed that history only marched one way."
"I am well aware that the unanticipated consequences of i More...
"When liberals remarked in horror that genocide wsa occurring in 1994, they were assuming that 1994 would be better than 1944.... Arthur Schlesinger and Reinhold Niebuhr had not assumed that 1944 would naturally be better than 1904. They had not assumed that history only marched one way."
"I am well aware that the unanticipated consequences of i More...
Sep 15, 2010
So far so good; the Hubris hypothesis rings true.... I'm reading this in my iphone. I bought the iphone version as a test and for when I'm trapped without something to read. Its rather small, but actually unproblematic and the iphone lets me annotate. I like it, but its easy to forget its there to read.
May 29, 2011
Richard
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Fascinating - if at times, dense - analysis of US foreign policy since the First World War. Beinart has some thoughtful discourse on America's seeming pendulum-swings between isolationism and imperialism, leavened with insights into the key personalities from Wilson to Kennedy to Reagan.
Aug 07, 2010
Joel
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Takes "hubris," "an affliction born from success," and draws a somewhat more complex picture of American best and worst efforts since Wilson through George W. Bush. Very interesting and easy read with some great insights and cautions for our present and future.
Aug 16, 2010
Sharonb
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my history nerd side is showing. This books on American foreign policy in the 20th century, especially dealing with wars.Interesting, with all kind of tidbits about stuff that went on behind the scenes (that you would probably just as well not want to know!)I had to persevere, as this is not a quick read- you cant multitask with this one.
Feb 16, 2011
Tish
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for me; This book took me about half way to get interested. But once I reached that point I was hooked.
Jul 01, 2010
Chimezie
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This book is an excellent insight into the imperial nature and hubris of American foreign policy. Unlike other books in this category, Peter Beinhart is not so much cynical as he is analytical about presenting a very well-substantiated picture of the thoughts and events behind the major millitary interventions of the modern American era.
Jun 28, 2010
Dave
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Intriguing premise, very interesting, and exceptionally well-written. Highly recommended.
Aug 09, 2011
Garth
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Interesting examination of how 20th (and 21st century) American leaders have reacted to global policy with different waves of hubris, nationalism, and passiveness. The side stories of different players and characters (Lippmann, etc) are sometimes engaging, sometimes too tangental. The book's best parts are around Wilson, FDR, and Bush Jr.
Feb 08, 2012
Marge
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This is a magnificent, important book! It's a history of U.S. foreign policy during the 20th century and up to the Obama administration. If that sounds dull--believe me, it's not! It's a highly readable, fascinating history and analysis. It should be read and reread by anyone contemplating running for Federal office. Highly recommended!
Jul 17, 2011
Josh
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Good book. From Wilson through Obama 2010, the book looks at America's foreign policy through various episodes of hubris, as defined by the author. Thorough research, tons of anecdotes, and lots of insight into why America has done what it has since WWI.
Dec 07, 2010
Joe
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The best history/political book I've read. World War I, Vietnam and Iraq; three times when American leaders decided they could remake the world in their image. Each time, a war conceived in arrogance brought untold tragedy.
Dec 30, 2011
Bryan
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A well written examination of America's foreign policy failures (and succeses) over the last century.
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