Examining America's Power: Assessing Past Failures and Successes to Forge a New Path Forward

Pompeii: Like his other two books, From the Shadows and Duty, Gates delivers an informative analysis of recent foreign policy issues that have plagued this country for the past 45 years.

United States on Aug 31, 2022

Mike Dillemuth: This is a great book. The author, Bob Gates, provides an easy to understand analysis of how the United States effectively, or ineffectively, used various forms of power to achieve foreign policy goals. The book is apolitical and the author gives credit where it is due while also highlighting presidential mistakes, regardless of political affiliation. His main thesis is that the government, too frequently relies on military power while continuously neglecting soft power.

He first defines the various forms of soft power. These include diplomacy, economic leverage, cyber capabilities, development assistance, communications, intelligence, alliances, science and technology, culture, ideology, the private sector, religion, nationalism, and courageous leadership.

The remainder of the book consists of case studies on Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, North Korea, China and others. In each chapter, the author makes some rather obvious assessments of how the US failed to achieve its goals. In some instances, he highlights the government’s reluctance to fully utilize its advantage in soft power areas such as the private sector and religion. In one case, he...

United States on Jun 24, 2022

珈琲: 著者のRobert...

Japan on Mar 05, 2022

Harry: Interesting to read about how policy decisions were made in the White House from someone who was involved with them. It gives good context about the various events and shows where he thinks mistakes and successes were made and by whom (including his own mistakes - which is refreshing). He also shows how other countries, such as Russia and Iran have furthered their influence because they’ve made better policy decisions than the West.

United Kingdom on Feb 02, 2021

Harold A Potts: Readily turned the pages while on the treadmill. Mr. Gates reflections were excellent. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter when he was talking about the future role of Americans on the world stage. More diplomatic efforts are needed before military intervention. As a Canadian I don’t believe America should have to be the global police force. It’s time for Russia and China to step forward to make this world a better place. America will have to start rebuilding alliances that the last president destroyed.

Canada on Dec 24, 2020

Book Lover: This is a difficult book to review, first because its scope is immense, and at times overwhelming. It is an amazing accomplishment in that there are very few individuals with the breadth and length of experience of a Bob Gates. Moreover, there are equally few individuals with the ability to analyze the facts with a relatively unbiased view of the politics and individuals involved. [For the record, I am a centrist, currently a registered Democrat but formerly a registered Republican. And there was no opinion that Mr. Gates expressed in this book which offended me, although I certainly did not agree with all his views.]

The second reason that this book is difficult to review is that it is really two distinct books, one more successful than the other. The less successful portion comprises the majority of the book, which generally discusses US foreign policy since the end of the Cold War through the present. The reason that this section is less impactful is twofold: somehow at the same time it presents too much and two little detail. Too much in that it overwhelms the reader, and especially so for those who have previously read multiple treatments of the same events. OTOH, too...

United States on Aug 02, 2020

Chillyfinger: This is a comprehensive and instructive overview of American power, it’s limits, it’s uses and abuses. It’s a long slog, but fills in dozens of gaps in many of the events that made history over the last few decades.

Canada on Jul 16, 2020

Ian M Gray: Outstanding - by far the best book on US politics for many years.
Essential reading and study for future US Presidents.

Canada on Jul 12, 2020

Serenity...: The author has an extensive background in service to this great country of ours. Over 50 years in total and also served eight Presidents. The position of Secretary of Defense gave him the expertise in dealing with foreign countries as well as an excellent knowledge of the military. This book should be mandatory reading for anyone in public office or with an interest in how to change the manner in which the US has dealt with other countries....for many years.

Being a retired USN Chief Petty Officer, I am familiar with the military aspects of some of his book. But, in perfect honesty, I have never thought too much about all of the repercussions a single act of diplomacy may or may not have. And, Afghanistan...what to say about the US and its involvement there?

Some of the countries that the author covers are: Iran, Iraq, Haiti, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Columbia (a success), North Korea, China, Libya, Afghanistan and Syria...to name some of them. A plethora of information within each of these chapters. North Korea and the manner in which 4 different presidents have dealt with it was incredible to read. Their threat is powerful...I loved the solution he...

United States on Jun 20, 2020