The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic Audiobook

" It takes courage to write a book like this and sometimes, I felt like it did to read it. But too imporatant not to. "

" I'll say one thing for Chalmers Johnson's writings - they certainly make me think and challenge my assumptions. Johnson is an unrepentant critic of American militarism and imperialism and he makes a convincing case that the U.S. is on the way down because of these factors. I do take issue with how, at the start of the book, he seemed to cherry-pick statistics about U.S. armed forces stationed overseas, making it sound like every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine in uniform was little more than a felon-in-waiting. Certainly, there are legitimate problems in many places overseas where U.S. troops get in trouble with the local law (Johnson cites quite frequently Okinawa, with good reason). I have served twice in Okinawa and can attest to the fact that there are a great many U.S. bases there, and that seemingly outside the gates of every one are an array of bars and clubs catering to the wants of young people far from their own home. Sometimes the patrons of these establishments get out of hand and incidents occur. At any rate, while I was consuming this audiobook, I also screened the 2005 documentary movie "Why We Fight," in which Johnson appears. It was interesting to see him on screen delivering some of the same warnings against empire and militarism that are contained in his books. I had previously read his 2000 book "Blowback" and in fact this book covers some of the same ground, but even so, this book covers a lot of new ground, coming as it did after 9/11 and the 2003 Iraq War. I plan to get to some of Johnson's more recent books in the future, though the recently published "Dismantling the Empire: America's Last Best Hope," will certainly be his last book, as that he passed away last November. Recommended for those who have an open mind to criticisms of the U.S. "

" This book takes an annoyingly paternalistic view, but overall an interesting looking into American global military presence. "

" Fascinating and disturbing critique of the militarist imperialism of the US in the 20th and 21st centuries. In many ways Chalmers paints a picture of a cultural and political force constructing its own eventual ruin. "

" The quasi imperialistic empire of the US is inherently doomed to a coming inglorious end and this book points out the basis for that end. I would highly recommend this work to any one interested in the politics of the new world order. "

" Horrible waste of an hour. Not even good enough propaganda to read the entire first chapter. "

" Lots of essential facts about the military expansion of the US empire, written by a former conservative turned anti-imperialist. "

" The first half, which covers the actually military might, is great, but the second half was on the economics, which I know of already. "

" Very good and very detailed. Author makes no bones about the fact that it's not easy for him to "diss" his native country, but the transgressions we've allowed in favor of a military-industrial-Congressional complex are vast and deserve to be debated publicly. Sadly, this debate rarely takes place. "

" A great eye-opener, even if taken with a grain of salt. "

" difficult at times with his wide range of statistical information but excellent and informative, comparing the iraq war with ceasar crossing the rubicon with out permission if the roman senate. well done "

" Military Industrial Complex, Ike, oh lord! "

" This is the second and best of Chalmers Johnson's analysis and history of the US becoming an empire. Fabulous analysis but esoteric if you aren't interested in the subject matter. "

" If you have wondered if there exists a counterpoint to The Lexus and the Olive Tree, this is it. Some excellent analysis and insight, but more often than not the rhetoric over-reaches, which sadly diminishes the important message. "

" That there are really only two or three countries in the world that don't have U.S. military bases. "

" A great argument against unilateralism and the consequences of the United States's proactive approach in military policy. "

" A book documenting the negative impact the large military budgets in the United States is having on American democracy and the American economy. "

" A bit oversimplified. Johnson is capable of far more in-depth analysis than this. A good starting point for describing the network of bases around the world, but light on the details. "

" Excellent. I'll supply details soon. "

" Johnson's writing could be simpler and more compelling. However, his head is in the right place. This book explains why America's continued pursuit of superpower status will ultimately destroy what is most important to us. "

" Of the "trilogy" this one was the most interesting. "

" Chalmers Johnson put a lot of work into the research for this book. "

" An extraordinary book. "

" Johnson depicts the perilous nature of American empire through an investigation of the U.S.'s foreign military bases and privatization of defense. Sorrows of Empire proves Eisenhower's chilling warning of the military-industrial complex gone awry. "

" I think that this book is invaluable to anyone who thinks about the US and our place in the world. "

" A dogmatic fellow who meanders back and forth between the same points again and again. Some good insights as to the extent of our military presence around the world, but that's about it. Highly biased and simplistic interpretations of history. "

" Learn how screwed we really are. "

" A great argument against unilateralism and the consequences of the United States's proactive approach in military policy. "

" It takes courage to write a book like this and sometimes, I felt like it did to read it. But too imporatant not to. "

" If you have wondered if there exists a counterpoint to The Lexus and the Olive Tree, this is it. Some excellent analysis and insight, but more often than not the rhetoric over-reaches, which sadly diminishes the important message. "

" Horrible waste of an hour. Not even good enough propaganda to read the entire first chapter. "

" The first half, which covers the actually military might, is great, but the second half was on the economics, which I know of already. "

" A bit oversimplified. Johnson is capable of far more in-depth analysis than this. A good starting point for describing the network of bases around the world, but light on the details. "

" I think that this book is invaluable to anyone who thinks about the US and our place in the world. "

" The quasi imperialistic empire of the US is inherently doomed to a coming inglorious end and this book points out the basis for that end. I would highly recommend this work to any one interested in the politics of the new world order. "

" A book documenting the negative impact the large military budgets in the United States is having on American democracy and the American economy. "

" Chalmers is one of my main homies. I love this guy. I love his sober, gimlet-eyed analysis. This one volume holds the best broad explanation of where we've been and where we're at that I know of. "