Review

Textbooks, Readers, and References

The last several years since the "end" of the Cold War have seen numerous eulogies, condemnations, and acclamations of American foreign policy. It is indeed appropriate that, as the United States attempts to find solid footing in the post-Cold War era, historians and pundits alike should examine where America has been, where the nation is now, and where the country ought to go. While several scholars have ably offered this assessment, much of their work suffers from over-analysis, lack of balance, and excessive length, which makes works useful for scholars to some degree, but not suitable for classroom use. David Mayers, an award-winning historian at Boston University, has found balance, a usable length, and an accessible style. More importantly, he looks not only at the Cold War, but at how America's overall experience with conflict and resulting post-conflict expectations have built within the nation a sense of higher purpose, based upon ideas, all of which influence foreign policy. Mayers' purpose is twofold. First, he puts forth the argument for the power and independence of ideas "that exist in opposition to the coercive sphere" (1). Mayers convincingly shows throughout the book that these ideas have created a humanitarian streak in the American intellectual elite, which in turn has influenced the American approach to conflict and conceptualization of post-war worlds. Second, the author analyzes the evolution of Americanization abroad, which he defines as "identity" and "ambitions" (p. 1). The way the United States sees itself abroad and the perception that other nations have of America and American interests are equally important. According to Mayers, conflict provides an excellent lens through which to study these ideas. He is right.	1
Mayers' slender volume examines these concepts in chapters devoted to the Civil War, the War with Spain, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and the post-Cold War world. Using the words of contemporary policymakers, thinkers, and other public personae, the author weaves a coherent, intriguing study of how Americans perceive conflict and envision the future. For the United States, conflict is expected to result in a better world. Mayers concludes that we are often disappointed because these high expectations are rarely met. Each of these chapters is strong and refreshing in style and scope. Mayers' discussion of the War with Spain, however, stands out. Using the imperialist/anti-imperialist debate of the time, Mayers describes the conflicting values found in American policy, particularly in the Philippines. President McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and Alfred Thayer Mahan are pitted against the anti-imperialist rhetoric of Mark Twain and William James, among others. Mayers gives us a sense of how this debate raged at the time and places it in historical context. This highlights the contradiction between being a democratic republic and an imperial power at the same time. The other great strength of the book is the concluding chapter. Here Mayers brings the ideas of many generations together to show why the United States is uncertain and searching for a cohesive foreign policy at the turn of the 21st century. In describing the problems and issues the United States faces in the "New World Order," Mayers reminds readers that although ideas may have led to exaggerated expectations in the past, perhaps now is the time when we should really focus on our ideological traditions as a guide. As he astutely points out, many countries in the world have and continue to use American ideas as a guiding light.	2
This volume is much needed and welcome. Those who teach American military history and American diplomatic history will find this book not only useful as a resource for lectures, but should also consider it as required reading for students. Appropriate for undergraduates, the book is brief, well written, and covers the major conflicts in American history. The theme of the book is not complex , and in fact should be a main issue for discussion in these types of courses. It is a good teaching tool, usable in a variety of ways. This is fine work.	3
William Thomas Allison Weber State University

Content in the History Cooperative database is intended for personal, noncommercial use only. You may not reproduce, publish, distribute, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale of, modify, create derivative works from, display, or in any way exploit the History Cooperative database in whole or in part without the written permission of the copyright holder.