| American Wars: Illusions and Realities Contributor(s): Bucheit, Paul (Author) |
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ISBN: 0932863566 ISBN-13: 9780932863560 Publisher: Clarity Press OUR PRICE: $14.20 Product Type: Paperback Published: April 2008 Annotation: When Americans hear that the US country may go to war against another nation, we generally believe there's probably a good reason for it or that no viable alternatives exist--or we don't think about it at all. We trust our leaders to represent us and defend our values. We accept their claims that war is to ensure our safety when others who wish to harm us. The mediareassures us that our reasons for war are altruistic -- but is all this really true?, that we wish to spread democracy and allow others to adopt our way of life. But is this the case? This book examines the realities of American wars how American values are manipulated to gain support for initiatives contrary to our ideals and well-being of our country Are we fighting for the right reasons? Can we trust the government, military, and media to deal honestly with the American people? Do we know the full costs of war to ourselves and to others? Are there undue benefits or inequitable losses to anyone involved? What is the human face of the enemy? Is the world a better place because of our wars? can we as world citizens resolve our differences in a better way? This book seeks to provide insight into basic American misconceptions about war |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | Peace - Political Science | Security (national & International) - History | Military - United States |
| Dewey: 172.420 |
| LCCN: 2008000512 |
| Physical Information: 0.47" H x 5.61" W x 8.45" (0.61 lbs) 188 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: When many Americans hear that the US may go to war against another nation, they tend to believe there's probably a good reason for it or that no viable alternatives exist-or they don't think about it at all. They trust their leaders to represent them and defend their values. They accept their leaders' claims that war is to ensure their safety when others wish to harm them. The parties of war play on Americans' basic values to bring them online. The media reassures them that the reasons for war are altruistic- that Americans wish to spread democracy and allow others to adopt their way of life. But is this the case? With 24 compelling illustrations, maps and graphs, this book is intended to serve as a tool for peace advocacy. Well known peace advocates respond to 19 of the most common illusions held by the American public which weaken their opposition to Washington's wars. "The American way of war offers a nonstop supply of illusions-while imposing horrific realities far away and, ultimately, at home too. This book is intent on dispelling key illusions and coming to terms with human realities. Between the covers of American Wars, the result is a compendium of insights and hard-won knowledge of the sort you' ll rarely find in the daily paper or the evening news. The writers are myth-busters who challenge the conventional lack of wisdom that drags the United States into one war after another and keeps us lethally mired in a warfare state. This collection provides us with an array of vital perspectives, opening up a crucial topic that usually remains shut down- what American wars are doing to humanity, under false pretenses and with calamitous results, around the world and in our own neighborhoods. The future is at stake. This book helps us to understand the perils and opportunities of the present moment. -NORMAN SOLOMON, author of War Made Easy "With the War on Terror threatening to go on for decades, it's critical for Americans to examine the myriad ways our government has tricked us into supporting unjust wars, with catastrophic consequences for all sides. American Wars uncovers a tragic pattern that must be broken. Read it and act." -MEDEA BENJAMIN, Code Pink "This country needs a moral revolution where supporting work for peace and justice is not seen as weakness. The voices heard in this work truly "speak truth to power." This book addresses issues that will empower the reader to more fully appreciate the ethical challenges America faces and to effectively participate in this change. Its accessibility will attract, inform and inspire the next generation of peace activists." -RAY PARRISH, Vietnam Veterans Against the War |