William Appleman Williams: The Tragedy of Empire

American Radicals

by Paul M. Buhle

Williams' controversial volumes, The Tragedy of American Diplomacy, Contours of American History, and other works have established him as the foremost interpreter of US foreign policy. Both Williams and others deeply influenced by him have recast not only diplomatic history but also the story of pioneer America's westward movement, and studies in the culture of imperialism.

At the end of the Cold War, when the US no longer faces any great enemy, the lessons of William Appleman Williams' life and scholarship have become more urgent than ever before. This study of his life and major works offers readers an opportunity to introduce, or re-introduce, themselves to a major figure of the last half-century.

Genres: History

334 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Now retired as Senior Lecturer at Brown University, Paul Merlyn Buhle is the author or editor of 35 volumes including histories of radicalism in the United States and the Caribbean, studies of popular culture, and a series of nonfiction comic art volumes.

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice overview of the life of one of America's most important historians, highlighting his achievements (fundamentally shifting how most academics and much of the general public views the foreign policy of the U.S.) as well as his often interconnected professional and personal failings (the author connects Williams's general apathy for feminism and the women's lib movement to his string of failed marriages). Very handy if you need to research Williams.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in graduate school and thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the authors taught my class. He was obviously influenced by Williams. I am now as well.