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The Dominion of War: Empire and Liberty in North America, 1500-2000
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Americans often think of their nation’s history as a movement toward ever-greater democracy, equality, and freedom. Wars in this story are understood both as necessary to defend those values and as exceptions to the rule of peaceful progress. In The Dominion of War , historians Fred Anderson and Andrew Cayton boldly reinterpret the development of the United States, arguing instead that war has played a leading role in shaping North America from the sixteenth century to the present. Anderson and Cayton bring their sweeping narrative to life by structuring it around the lives of eight men—Samuel de Champlain, William Penn, George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Ulysses S. Grant, Douglas MacArthur, and Colin Powell. This approach enables them to describe great events in concrete terms and to illuminate critical connections between often-forgotten imperial conflicts, such as the Seven Years’ War and the Mexican-American War, and better-known events such as the War of Independence and the Civil War. The result is a provocative, highly readable account of the ways in which republic and empire have coexisted in American history as two faces of the same coin. The Dominion of War recasts familiar triumphs as tragedies, proposes an unconventional set of turning points, and depicts imperialism and republicanism as inseparable influences in a pattern of development in which war and freedom have long been intertwined. It offers a new perspective on America’s attempts to define its role in the world at the dawn of the twenty-first century.
544 pages, Paperback
First published November 29,2004
This edition
- Format
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544 pages, Paperback
- Published
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November 29, 2005 by Penguin Publishing Group
- ISBN
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9780143036517
- ASIN
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0143036513
- Language
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English
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Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 30 votes)
5 stars
13(43%)
4 stars
9(30%)
3 stars
8(27%)
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30 reviews All reviews
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great book about how our constant involvement in war has shaped our country and us.
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A fascinating well researched study of American history from a different, but important perspective. Worthy of any student of history's time
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This book is massive in its scope, but very well done. I use this book in the classes I teach, especially in my colonial America section where I utilize their comparison approach and arguments about how the French & English mentalities and ways of interacting with the natives differed, in turn shaping American and native relations post Revolutionary War. Despite the long span of time they cover, the chapters still seem succinct, and the book is definitely effective and thought provoking for their overall argument.
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Offering a critical look at US history by focusing on America (and Britain) as an expansive, imperial nation, Dominion of War provides a strong narrative with a necessary perspective. The authors really base their argument on the colonial period through the War of 1812 and the 20th century shift from territorial expansion to using intervention to control other countries. And, they take a biographical approach, telling their story through the examples of key figures like William Penn, George Washington, and Douglas MacArthur which adds a personal touch. I do wish, though, they had spent more time on the 18th century. The lighter touch actually made the book sag a bit.
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I might have rated this book 4.5 stars, but decided to go the whole hog and ratchet it up to the five star club. Some people say that Anderson is one of the best historians of 18th-century America around. For example, I say that.
At any rate, this book is a highly readable re-interpretation of American/US history from the early 1600s through the Second Gulf War. It focuses on the importance of war and conquest in American history from the Champlain's alliance with the Algonguian peoples through the continuing compromises and conflicts expressed in the biographies of Penn, Washington, Jackson, Santa Ana, Grant, McCarthur and Colin Powell.
I'm not sure that I agree with all of Anderson and Clayton's arguments, but this book is an exciting and thought-provoking read.
At any rate, this book is a highly readable re-interpretation of American/US history from the early 1600s through the Second Gulf War. It focuses on the importance of war and conquest in American history from the Champlain's alliance with the Algonguian peoples through the continuing compromises and conflicts expressed in the biographies of Penn, Washington, Jackson, Santa Ana, Grant, McCarthur and Colin Powell.
I'm not sure that I agree with all of Anderson and Clayton's arguments, but this book is an exciting and thought-provoking read.
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I really loved reading this book sophomore Bryant history class. The professor was a great educator and he knew his subject extremely well.
I would not give this book 5 starts if it was not a very good book.
This US history book, from a military perspective, is a detailed look of the struggles, tactics, and eventual dominance of the US Army. (1500-1950)
I would not give this book 5 starts if it was not a very good book.
This US history book, from a military perspective, is a detailed look of the struggles, tactics, and eventual dominance of the US Army. (1500-1950)
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Received as an Advance Reader, pre-publication, in galley and loved it.
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