The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic
by Chalmers Johnson
The American Empire Project
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From the author of the prophetic national bestseller Blowback, a startling look at militarism, American style, and its consequences abroad and at homeIn the years after the Soviet Union imploded, the United States was described first as the globes lone superpower, then as a reluctant sheriff, next as the indispensable nation, and now, in the wake of 9/11, as a New Rome. Here, Chalmers Johnson thoroughly explores the new militarism that is transforming America and compelling its people to show more pick up the burden of empire.Reminding us of the classic warnings against militarismfrom George Washingtons farewell address to Dwight Eisenhowers denunciation of the military-industrial complexJohnson uncovers its roots deep in our past. Turning to the present, he maps Americas expanding empire of military bases and the vast web of services that supports them. He offers a vivid look at the new caste of professional warriors who have infiltrated multiple branches of government, who classify as secret everything they do, and for whom the manipulation of the military budget is of vital interest.Among Johnsons provocative conclusions is that American militarism is putting an end to the age of globalization and bankrupting the United States, even as it creates the conditions for a new century of virulent blowback. The Sorrows of Empire suggests that the former American republic has already crossed its Rubiconwith the Pentagon leading the way. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I felt pretty beat up by the end of this book. That it was published in 2004! How is it that I have fond memories of G. W. Bush? Oh, yeah, that's why... that the horrific trends that Johnson outlines could have continued, have accelerated, as they have? Oh, the times!
Johnson runs through a list of foreign bases here, in places like Kosovo and Qatar. The satellite images on Google maps ... I bet I got myself on some CIA watch lists, but wow. Spot-checking Johnson... he's not making this stuff up!
It's all bleak until the last paragraph. Can the American people take back their government? From 2004 to 2018, we sure didn't move in any encouraging direction! Well, to fix a problem, surely one should understand the problem. Johnson does a show more very good job outlining at least a few dimensions of the situation. There's no climate change in here! Whew! show less
Johnson runs through a list of foreign bases here, in places like Kosovo and Qatar. The satellite images on Google maps ... I bet I got myself on some CIA watch lists, but wow. Spot-checking Johnson... he's not making this stuff up!
It's all bleak until the last paragraph. Can the American people take back their government? From 2004 to 2018, we sure didn't move in any encouraging direction! Well, to fix a problem, surely one should understand the problem. Johnson does a show more very good job outlining at least a few dimensions of the situation. There's no climate change in here! Whew! show less
5705. The Sorrows of Empire Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic, by Chalmers Johnson (read 10 Sep 2020) I should, of course, read this book 15 years ago. It was published in 2004 and tells the dire story of the events relating to, inter alia, the disastrous war George W. Bush led us into in 2003. I was against that wa and this book details the big mistake it was--something which I believe is now generally acknowledged by clear-eyed students and observers. This book is devastatingly critical of much of U.S. behavior . And today it seems the dire outlook the author (who died in 2010) foretold is still likely. In fact, he was appalled by the debt the U.S. then had--whereas we today could wish the debt only was what it was in show more 2003. A good book which I should have read long before I did.. show less
A critical look at the powerful influence the military has over many facets of US policy.
Good overview of how the U.S. became an imperial power.
A must read.
Chalmers Johnson skildrar i sin bok hur den amerikanska militarismen under lång tid har infiltrerat regeringsorganen i Washington och manipulerar den federala budgeten för att stärka sitt inflytande över det amerikanska samhället. Miliarismen motarbetar internationellt samarbete och håller på att göra USA bankrutt. Johnson hävdar att USA redan har kastat tärningen och gått över sitt Rubicon – med Pentagon i täten.
Mar 15, 2023Swedish
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30+ Works 2,934 Members
Chalmers Johnson, president of the Japan Policy Research Institute & professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, has written numerous books on Japan & Asia including his classic "Miti & the Japanese Miracle" & "Japan: Who Governs?" He lives near San Diego. (Bowker Author Biography)
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic
- Original title
- The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic
- Original publication date
- 2003
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Politics and Government, General Nonfiction, History
- DDC/MDS
- 355.02130973 — Society, government, & culture Public administration & military science The Military - Land, Air & Sea / Warfare War Topics Militarism
- LCC
- UA23 .J5697 — Military Science Armies: Organization, distribution, military situation Armies: Organization, distribution, military situation By region or country
- BISAC
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- 834
- Popularity
- 32,913
- Reviews
- 7
- Rating
- (3.98)
- Languages
- 5 — English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 20
- ASINs
- 4
