Jones (history, U. of Alabama) demonstrates the complexities of the decision-making process that led to the rise and decline of the US relative to the ascent of other nations in world power status. He focuses on the personalities, security interests, and expansionist tendencies. The approach is narrative, he says, because a thematic approach would impose a design on events that did not exist. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Crucible of Power: A History of American Foreign Relations to 1913 presents a straightforward, balanced, and comprehensive history of American international relations from the American Revolution to 1913. This core text demonstrates the complexities of the decision-making process that led to the rise and decline of the United States (relative to the ascent of other nations) in world power status. This volume relies on the natural chronology of historical events to organize and narrate the story as the nation's leaders saw it. It will help students understand the plight of present-day policymakers who encounter an array of problems that are rarely susceptible to simple analysis and ready solution. This text is ideal for American diplomatic history survey courses and courses on American foreign policy from the American Revolution to the present.
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