Bacevich knows history and he uses it to bolster his argument that the national ethic of self-gratification, viewed not as profligacy but as "freedom," has led the nation to disasterous imperial activities under both Democratic and Republican leadership. The Iraqi War is only one example. This corrosive ethic has led us to economic and political crises, as well. Acknowledging the limits on US power does not mean "retrenchment and irreversible decline," rather it requires a commitment to a new foreign policy that seeks containtment, not domination, and an ecnomic policy that curbs consumption and pays down debt, both as individuals and as a nation. This book is a quick read, but not a quick think. It is worthy of serious reflection, especially as each of us is about to vote for new political leaders.