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America in Retreat

The Decline of US Leadership from WW2 to Covid-19

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America in Retreat

By: Michael Pembroke
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
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About this listen

In the heady days after 1945, the authority of the United States was unrivaled and, with the founding of the UN, a new era of international co-operation seemed to have begun. But 75 years later, its influence has already diminished. The world has now entered a post-American era, argues Michael Pembroke, defined by a flourishing Asia and the ascendancy of China, as much as by the decline of the United States.

This book is a short history of that decline; how high standards and treasured principles were ignored; how idealism was replaced by hubris and moral compromise; and how adherence to the rule of law became selective. It is also a look into the future - a future dominated by greater Asia and China in particular. We are in the midst of the third great power shift in modern history - from Europe to America to Asia.

Covering wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, interventions in Iran, Guatemala and Chile, and a retreat from international engagement with the UN, WHO and, increasingly, trade agreements, Pembroke sketches the history of America's retreat from universal principles to provide a clear-eyed analysis of the dangers of American exceptionalism.

©2020 Michael Pembroke (P)2021 Tantor Americas United States Middle East American History China American Foreign Policy Self-Determination Iran Socialism Russia Capitalism War Military Taxation Law Imperialism Latin American Imperial Japan Soviet Union
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A thoughtful well written book that gives an accurate picture of the modern world. Well narrated.

Excellent book

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While this has some fascinating points, overall I thought the book was very bias and didn’t give both sides of the story equally.

Very Bias

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Highly recommended read. It's a much shorter version in terms of facts etc but still worth the listen.

Fascinating read

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