by Stephen Kinzer
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Product Description
“Detailed, passionate and convincing . . . [with] the pace and grip of a good thriller.”—Anatol Lieven, The New York Times Book Review
"Regime change” did not begin with the administration of George W. Bush, but has been an integral part of U.S. foreign policy for more than one hundred years. Starting with the toppling of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, the United States has not hesitated to overthrow governments that stood in the way of its political and economic goals. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 is but the latest example of the dangers inherent in these operations.
In Overthrow, Stephen Kinzer tells the stories of the audacious politicians, spies, military commanders, and business executives who took it upon themselves to depose foreign regimes. He details the three eras of America’s regime-change century—the imperial era, which brought Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Nicaragua, and Honduras under America’s sway; the cold war era, which employed covert action against Iran, Guatemala, South Vietnam, and Chile; and the invasion era, which saw American troops toppling governments in Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Kinzer explains why the U.S. government has pursued these operations and why so many of them have had disastrous long-term consequences, making Overthrow a cautionary tale that serves as an urgent warning as the United States seeks to define its role in the modern world.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Great Book!, 2008-12-20
This is a great book. It really gives you the insight into our government that no one really knows unless you're the one making the decisions. I would recommend it to anyone that is a narcissistic about the American government and wants to know the truth about the last couple of hundred years with our foreign policy. It's a must read!
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 History of Conquest, 2008-12-18
Chock full of useful and valuable information of how the USA grew to its present state of preeminence on the world stage. Great reference book for those who want to educate others who think America always does the "right thing".
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Be patriotic *and* know American history, 2008-12-16
Hawaii, Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Vietnam, Iran, Guatemala, Chile, Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan, and of course Iraq. 14 nations. Iraq was not the first "preemptive war". The justifications varied but basically it goes down like this: There is a perceived threat to US business interests, this is covered up and the press is fed a story about a great humanitarian mission and/or the protection American lives and security of our nation. What is shocking is that in every single case the imminent threat to the US was false and yet the media dutifully recycles the same old lines everytime. And what's more striking, even mind-boggling, is part of this regime change pattern are "unintended consequences" and ultimate disaster.
Americans tend to think America's history is an exception to the rest of the world. To be sure America's history is special in some regards, but of course our nation has been all too typical in many others. Maybe it isn't a surprise they don't teach the kids in school this stuff. Distasteful episodes are briefly mentioned in a text or in classroom discussion, sugar coated, explained away, or presented as an anomaly. But can we now admit it is more important than ever for citizens to come to terms with the past? Isn't it more clear than ever we cannot afford to go about business as usual?
I agree that it is useful that Stephen Kinzer is not labeled a "lefty" or radical because it is simply impossible for many people, especially in the media, to listen to such non-respectable leftwing crazies from the fringes. Too bad since many writers have been covering ad nauseam all that Kinzer does in _Overthrow_. But, hey, what matters is that people start paying attention, right? Stephen Kinzer has the right credentials, having won an award and worked for the New York Times (the NYT is sadly a bastion of the radical left now according to many patriotic conservatives so it will take writers from various backgrounds to reach the public I guess). Kinzer does have a truly winning style. I've seen him speak on Book TV a couple times and he's quite engaging and not depressing in the least! And this I think is key. Often commentators that are alerting the public, or at least speaking to their choir, are a bit depressing. Or well they might not have that optimistic, cheerful, American can-do spirit. Kinzer has this quality about him, that despite America's past failings we're still a great nation. In anycase, he's a good writer.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Great Overview of what US has done to mess up others!, 2008-10-27
I just started reading this book & have read about 100 pages. This book gives a great overview of US involvement & its motive behind overthrowing other governments. I think, it will be a great read to get a good perspective on the past and present.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
History we should know, 2008-09-21
Those high school and college history classes that cast the USA in a glowing llight are called to question by Kinzer. Here we find the extent to which commercial interests have dominated foreign policy. To this domination we add a huge dose of stupidity and a ton of arrogance. This will give the recipe for USA regime change operations in foreign lands. Details are included along with excellent documentation.
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