Description
Book SynopsisPaul R. Pillar ties the American public's misconceptions about foreign threats and behaviors to the nation's history and geography, arguing that success occurs in spite of, not because of, the public's worldview. By exposing this longstanding challenge, Pillar hopes the United States can develop policies that better address international realities.
Trade ReviewA formidable and influential scholar offers a fresh and distinctive take on the idea that U.S. foreign policy is ultimately an expression of 'us' rather than 'them.' -- Andrew Bacevich, Boston University
Paul R. Pillar is one of the few people who have the government experience and the scholarly accomplishments to be able to analyze how and why the United States so often builds its policies on badly flawed views of the world—and of itself. He shows that America is indeed exceptional, although not in the way that political leaders would have it. -- Robert Jervis, author of
Why Intelligence Fails: Lessons from the Iranian Revolution and the Iraq WarWhy America Misunderstands the World confirms Pillar's status as one of the smartest and sanest writers on U.S. foreign policy. His forceful yet fair-minded analysis explains how good fortune made America very powerful but also left Americans ill-equipped to understand how politics work outside their borders. The result? Repeated foreign policy failures and a remarkable inability to learn from them. This book should be required reading for students seeking a career in the foreign policy establishment, and especially those who hope to occupy the Oval Office. -- Stephen Walt, Harvard Kennedy School
Recommended for the general reader who has an interest in international relations, particularly in regard to how the United States may, in fact, be perceived by other countries. * Library Journal *
Fine and courageous book. * New York Times Book Review *
Pillar's is one of the best books on this important subject I have ever read. * Chronicles *
Richly persuasive and powerfully written....
Why America Misunderstands the World is a work that should be an essential, basic read for any interested observer of American foreign policy. * Choice *
This book should be required reading for all presidential candidates. -- Gordon S. Brown * Foreign Service Journal *
Paul R. Pillar raises interesting and important questions about the preconceptions drawn from America's own national experience.... Every country has such preconceptions, but Pillar argues, most persuasively, that America's are particularly potent. * Survival *
A well-thought-out examination of the United States' distinct history and its psychological, policy-shaping consequences. * Arab Weekly *
This insightful book will be of use to any student of international relations and foreign policy, particularly at the introductory level. In fact, its clarity and conciseness makes it accessible to a wider, public audience who would do well to educate themselves on the foreign policies that are entwined in their lives. * International Social Science Review *
Table of ContentsPreface
1. The American Prism
2. Behind the Ocean Moats
3. Abundance and Power
4. The Successful Society
5. Searching for Monsters to Destroy
6. Unending Misperception
Notes
Index
