| Grand Improvisation: America Confronts the British Superpower, 1945-1957 Contributor(s): Leebaert, Derek (Author), Woodson, Paul (Narrated by) |
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ISBN: 161803359X ISBN-13: 9781618033598 Publisher: Tantor Audio OUR PRICE: $49.49 Product Type: Compact Disc - Other Formats Published: February 2019 * Not available - Not in print at this time * |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | United States - 20th Century - History | Europe - Great Britain - 20th Century - Political Science | International Relations - General |
| Physical Information: 1.6" H x 6.4" W x 5.6" (0.80 lbs) |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - British Isles - Chronological Period - 1940's - Chronological Period - 1950's |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: A new understanding of the post World War II era, showing what occurred when the British Empire wouldn't step aside for the rising American superpower-with global insights for today. An enduring myth of the twentieth century is that the United States rapidly became a superpower in the years after World War II, when the British Empire-the greatest in history-was too wounded to maintain a global presence. In fact, Derek Leebaert argues in Grand Improvisation, the idea that a traditionally insular United States suddenly transformed itself into the leader of the free world is illusory, as is the notion that the British colossus was compelled to retreat. The United States and the U.K. had a dozen abrasive years until Washington issued a declaration of independence from British influence. Only then did America explicitly assume leadership of the world order just taking shape. Understanding all of this properly is vital to understanding the rise and fall of superpowers, why we're now skeptical of commitments overseas, how the Middle East plunged into disorder, why Europe is fracturing, what China intends-and the ongoing perils to the U.S. world role. |
Contributor Bio(s): Leebaert, Derek: - Derek Leebaert is the author of Magic and Mayhem: The Delusions of American Foreign Policy, The Fifty-Year Wound: How America's Cold War Victory Shapes Our World, and To Dare and to Conquer: Special Operations and the Destiny of Nations, and the coauthor of the MIT Press's trilogy on the information technology revolution.Woodson, Paul: - Paul Woodson holds a BFA in acting from Boston University and has been acting and singing since the age of thirteen. He has recorded close to 150 audiobooks in many different genres--including romance, fiction, history, biography, and mystery-and has performed in over 100 stage productions across the USA and Europe. |
