Post-Cold War, the world remains "unipolar," but international competition among the United States, Russia, China, Europe, Japan, India, and Iran raise new threats of regional conflict. Communism is dead, but a new contest between western liberalism and the great eastern autocracies of Russia and China has reinjected ideology into geopolitics. Radical Islamists are waging a violent struggle against the modern secular cultures and powers that, in their view, have dominated, penetrated, and polluted their Islamic world. The grand expectation that the world would enter an era of international geopolitical convergence has proven wrong. Kagan poses the most important questions facing the liberal democratic countries, challenging them to choose whether they want to shape history or let others shape it for them.
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"Since reading this book China hosted the Olympics in all its pomp and circumstance and Russia reasserted its dominance over its near abroad. These events fall accurately into the world view that Kagan puts forth in his neo-con essay. Interestingly his assumption of authoritarian unity vs. the "democratic" west is quite obviously false. Chinese-American interdependence is one of the greatest symbiotic relationships in the world. Furthermore, competing interests in Central and South Asia will increasingly put China at odds with the Russian oligarchs. To assume, because they follow the same development and government patterns that they are natural allies, is ridiculous. The reality is that as America draws down its international presence in the medium term the vacuum will be filled with the new Great Powers competing against one another just like the old days." — Stewart (4 out of 5 stars)
"Since reading this book China hosted the Olympics in all its pomp and circumstance and Russia reasserted its dominance over its near abroad. These events fall accurately into the world view that Kagan puts forth in his neo-con essay. Interestingly his assumption of authoritarian unity vs. the "democratic" west is quite obviously false. Chinese-American interdependence is one of the greatest symbiotic relationships in the world. Furthermore, competing interests in Central and South Asia will increasingly put China at odds with the Russian oligarchs. To assume, because they follow the same development and government patterns that they are natural allies, is ridiculous. The reality is that as America draws down its international presence in the medium term the vacuum will be filled with the new Great Powers competing against one another just like the old days."
“A brief and wonderfully argued volume…that has a message for Americans of all political stripes. ”
“Intensely interesting and lucid…Written with exemplary clarity and profound good sense, it reads like a briefing paper for the next president of the United States, and as such it is indispensable reading—not just for McCain or Obama but for everyone interested in the uncertain and fragile near future of the world.”
“[A] stirring treatise on post-Cold War politics…Kagan’s well-considered message will resonate with history buffs and current-affairs junkies looking for the latest in neocon thought.”
“Holter Graham narrates with authority but without artifice or too much gravitas, which would be all too easy. He varies his cadence to emphasize points and to allow the listener to catch up with the concepts.”
" A short, concise, and thought provoking view of the emerging geopolitical environment that the USA must contend with, and which it has an obligation and a destiny to continue to shape "
" Ive read some of Kagan's stuff before and it can be very insightful. Now that the period of US hegemonic dominance is over a new period of history is emerging. Fukuyama's early 90's pronouncement of the "end of history" has run its course and now we begin where we left off. "
" Kagan provides an exquisite primer for the pitch the United States missed when the USSR imploded. God, I can't wait for the post-America world to get here in full force! Seeing our fool government operate at home and abroad is like watching chimps murder unicorns. "
" Russia and China and the US and Europe. It is the 19th Century all over. "
" MUY INTERESANTE "
" Great, concise book (just over 100 pages) - a sober and rational take on the world and America's place in it. "
" A smallish book, should have been an essay. A little fluffy. "
" Great for someone who is taking/or took PolSci in college. "
" Very short, not all that useful. "
" A fairly insightful look at the "end of history", and what comes after. "
" Kagan disappoints again. Some useful facts, but mostly it's just him spouting his neocon opinions... "
" A very simple easy to read book discussion the emerging world order in a post cold war global setting. "
" Very though provoking, clearly and concisely written. Believable and objective. An excellent response to "The End of History." Recommended for history/ politics buffs. "
" It was thought-provoking, but I generally prefer more research-intensive books. "
" Everything you wanted to know about geopolitics in forty-five minutes. (ahem) "
" Must read this. Kagan gives us a really good thought about reality and remember that the history and politics is a circle as a wheel always moving, not a straight line where men go hand in hand adding 1. The international game is zero-sum and the geopolitics still works. "
" Good to get an overall perspective on geopolitics. From one person's point of view of course. "
" An interesting and well positioned look at 21st century geopolitics and the dynamic balance of power between liberal democracy and autocracy. "
" All very predictable neocon arguments based on geopolitics. You can tell he REALLY misses that Cold War. All in all...blah. Nothing to write a review about. "
Robert Kagan is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a columnist for the Washington Post. He is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller Of Paradise and Power. He served in the US State Department from 1984 to 1988.
Holter Graham, winner of three of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voice of the Year awards, is a stage, television, and screen actor. He has recorded numerous audiobooks and earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actor, his film credits include Fly Away Home, Maximum Overdrive, Hairspray, and The Diversion, a short film which he acted in and produced. On television, he has appeared in Army Wives, Damages, As the World Turns, Rescue Me, Law & Order, and New York Undercover. He received a BA degree from Skidmore College and an MFA from Vermont College.
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