Great Powers focuses on "Winning" by Retaining what's valuable to us
358129
Thomas' Great Powers is exceptional for many reasons. Barnett discusses American power in terms of economics, military might, and foreign policy exposing exclusively-American 'democracy' as a red-herring in success' definition. In terms of economics, Barnett paints our culture of globalization with far more vim and clarity than Friedman. Weaving economic evolution through our nation's history he demonstrates our gift for navigating and embracing risk with agility, citing effectively without miring the reader in detail that bores or distracts in similar works. Those readers anxiously awaiting crucifixion of Bush-Cheney enjoy some pleasure, but Barnett addresses the previous administration and broader history without partisanship--he seems to care deeply about the correct answer instead.

Readers will appreciate Barnett's keen understanding that America can not win only by naming and vanquishing a clear adversary but must rather manage an evolving world so that probable future outcomes more consistently meet your long-term needs. Those security-savvy will smile as Barnett discredits the over-hyping of each modern day boogie man (China, Russia, and Global warming to name a few), positing in each case a more strategic alliance or opportunity.

If Great Powers warrants criticism, it's for the distinct change in treatment as Barnett leaps from describing key properties of a grand strategy to more tactical specifics. Barnett's final chapter seems to suffer from a mash-up of the multiplicity of future 'what ifs' and some of his clearer thoughts on 'must have' eventualities.

Notwithstanding Barnett's work does not lack conclusion. The reader simply comes away sober and brighter for it--complete with memorable aphorism and great humor with which to spread Barnett's Grand Strategy gospel.
4609853
There is a new book floating around that is an excellent guide for all this. It is titled Secrets to Winning by Kelly Poulos and Emily Liu and it knocked my socks off when I read it.

When Kelly and Emily tell us they will help us formulate a game that matters in life and learn how to play it in a way that is excitingly honest and realistic, a way designed to make the things we care most about better, they mean it. And they go about it realistically and masterfully. I am not saying they would agree with my evaluation of what the world needs now, but they show us what self-awareness really looks like and we need to know that.  Their book is among the tools I will be using in my efforts to encourage people to get to know their minds and spirits and to make their lives a whole lot happier. And if you pick the book up and read it, your chances of living a better life will improve.
234867
In his well written and thought-provoking book, Al Gore proposes that we take a hard look at a system that doesn't work effectively, and change it by infusing honesty, integrity, and honor into that system. I refer, of course, to politics, not well-known in our country as an arena in which those values flourish.  If you ask the average person in the US whom he most distrusts, it's likely that politicians and used car salesmen will show up in the Top Ten list, which is unfortunate, since politicians represent us in the process of lawmaking and more. This book suggests that we need to elect people we can trust, and Mr. Gore suggests that more truth and less "spin" in political campaigning, may make it easier for us to choose the best candidates.

Mr. Gore is suggesting that we CAN re-create a political climate that seems to have existed when our founding fathers created the laws that govern our land- honor, integrity, honesty, and pride. I think he's right in proposing that it's time that we decide how we want our country to be governed, and that we choose politicians based on their integrity and intelligence, and not on their ability to pay for an unlimited number of 30-second TV spots.  And that we not be seduced by high-drama media clips or newspaper blips that are tools of persuasion designed to incite an emotional response.

With the internet and multiple streams of information available to almost everyone, it's possible to get a clearer view of what's going on in the world.  It's easier to sort through the misinformation and media spins to find accurate information.  And it's probably our responsibility to do so. We can only continue to be mislead, if we allow ourselves to be.

In this book, Mr. Gore diplomatically references the current administration's using misinformation, media overload, and emotion-based distractions to win an election, justify our country's entering into multiple wars, and so on. The author does so without rancor, which is admirable, given his role in the first election that President Bush won.  Mr. Gore's book also suggests that using fear, patriotism, and media spins to win elections and to justify mismanaging government funds etc may create a short-term gain for politicians and a longterm loss for the rest of us.

If like 75% of the US population (according to the most recent statistics), you don't feel that "the US is heading in the right direction", you will probably find this a thought-provoking, well written book.  This book reveals the powerful impact that media has had on the election process and strongly proposes better ways to manage that process. And perhaps, our responsibility to do so.

I highly recommend this book.
2027856
The premise of the book is that winning is not a bad thing. It's not necessarily the only thing however. Thompson uses real life examples from youth through professional, where focusing on the positive, correcting the negative, and focus on improving have helped teams be successful.

It is our job as youth coaches to make sure we are building solid citizens, teaching them life lessons through sports, and helping them become the best athlete they can be. Winning happens to be a great side effect of this approach!

The book is great for coaches and parents alike!
1055253
When politicians play commander in the field, air, sea or space we fail to obtain a decisive victory and risk lives. You could just change the locations and the government appointee and the results will not change....disasters will not diminish and the.price will escalate
3119880
George creates a simple yet powerful challenge. His thesis: we don't succeed because we spend our time, effort and resources doing the wrong things. Sounds simple yet this book provides the vitals to develop a habit of high achievement. By focusing on seemingly small habits, and doing effective things on a regular basis, spectacular results occur. Frequently, we are our own worst enemies coming up with reasons why not. This books suggests that accepting the responsibility of making small adjustments, and making these shifts habitual, is the key.

Adopting the system George proposes does not generate instant, earth changing improvement. Still, cultivating the habits of winning creates the lifestyle of success over the long run. Bravo George for not offering the instant panacea but in creating a winning recipe for the long run.
2795941
There's a saying that "He who has the gold makes the rules." This book proves how true this is. Those few who have the gold have learned how to game the political system to benefit them at the expense of the many. Part of that gaming is to denigrate opponents as communists or socialists. "Surely," they say, "you believe in free market economics."

Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do, but not how our political system is allowing those economics to be practiced. How revealing to discover a book providing proof of the hypocrisy of those who would advocate self reliance in all things economic. I heard a speaker say once that we have a free market economy fueled by greed and that greed must be regulated. He was as correct as Johnston is.

Chapter 22 on health care should be read by all Americans before this 2008 election for its clarification of the nature of the issue.

Chapter 26 substantiates how much the greed has been allowed to run amuck at the expense of the middle class. Doubtless there are Americans today who are not doing well because of the choices they have made in their life. Those Americans are often pointed to with the comment that "Surely you don't want to take money from people doing well to give it to those people." As this chapter proves, this is a red herring. What we should want (and need) is a level economic playing field.

For those who wring their hands and say there is nothing we can do, that those with the money have all the power, I say this. Johnston points that the number of people where wealth is concentrated is about 3 million. That means there are 297 million of the rest of us (not all of us can vote, of course) to vote for a change in the rules. That means the rest of us can change things if we can achieve a consensus in what needs to be changed and how to change it.

Speaking of the rules, I echo Johnston on page 287 in my own way. We are having the issues we are because we have forgotten (if we ever knew them in the first place) the purpose, rules and definitions of our political system.

Several reviewers have commented they find Johnston's solutions to our ills to be inadequate. That's like saying you want to find a way to lose weight that will let you overeat and never exercise and Johnston doesn't offer that. At some point, you must accept personal responsibility for things as they are and making the changes to gain things as you want them to be. That responsibility begins with gaining the clarity of knowledge a book like Johnston's offers and continues with other resources that offer a factual review of the purpose, rules and definitions I mentioned before.

If you want to get rid of the economic "kick me hard" sign on your back, begin by reading this book and tell others to do the same.
1055467
John Perkins is one more courageous citizen (among those on the inside of the global system of domination and exploitation) who has defected and told his story. In this book, he verifies the West's control of the world's resources through diplomatic warfare, financial warfare, economic warfare, covert warfare, and, when all that fails, open warfare.  A penetrating analysis of this global system agreeing with Perkin's personal experiences is laid out by J.W. Smith in his book, Economic Democracy: The Political Struggle of the Twenty-First Century. These are excellent books vital to concerned world-citizens' efforts toward building a new and decent world order.  Dr. Glen T. Martin, Secretary General, World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA).
4140837
I want to thank Mike Matheny, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life that I won in the Giveaway.

Mike Matheny's tough-love philosophy contains his throwback beliefs that authority should be respected, discipline and hard work rewarded, spiritual faith cultivated, family made a priority, and humility considered a virtue is just what is needed to ground young people and get our society back on track. I am not a big sports fan but I do believe in the values that are expressed in The matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life and think that they could be applied to all aspects of our society with great gains for the United States culturally, economically and socially. The old-school ideas let people, young and old alike, know what is expected of them and this gives them comfort and a feeling that they can achieve their goals. Great book!
3619280
Another brilliant but easy-to-read guide by David Horowitz on how the current administration and the American people must battle the modern Left.  It's been over sixteen years since he published The Art of Political War, and with Donald Trump having emerged as the new leader to engage in this war, Horowitz identifies what must first be understood by each reader in order to grasp the extent of this great crusade of our time: "Only by understanding the ideology of progressives and their true agenda, only by understanding that they view the acquisition of power as a self-justifying goal regardless of the means used to acquire it, can defenders of American values hope to prevail." Although at first it may seem that only those who are in the political arena can make a difference, those with the passion to fight back and save America should find certain ideas from the book to consider and put them into use in some way. Quoting Mike Tyson was rather odd, but it does hit home, and the Donald has shown the world that it works: "Everybody has a game plan until you punch them in the mouth."
4951309
Its all about the power of the super wealthy, and their strategies and tactics to influence markets and political preferences to achieve their goals.
It is not a particularly easy read, but it is enlightening.
2198565
****
"America became an empire with considerable skill at conquest but little experience administering other people's, or its own  affairs, which it preferred to leave to ... private enterprise ... and traditions left America immune to the trends of national development ... , unable to persuade other peoples to follow its example." --Eric Rauchway
*

I read various expert analysis, of the controversy that loomed with the "abortive war' on Iraq, latest of which Dr Brzezinski's "Strategic Vision." The eminent thinker believes the world is eager for a more effective, firmly resolved leadership from America, which has been long overdue, since the fall of the Berlin Wall, in his opinion. Political analysts and economists warn that Free World nations are growing impatient with the 21st century American leadership style, prescribing a plan to regain America's global leadership, which the US acquired since the WWII.
In his compelling report on the haunting issue, Walter Mead, Council on Foreign Policy expert, gave an expert evaluation of the complexity of the US historical engagement in world economy, its multi-faceted consequences, the impact of US leadership and influence in the new political, social, and institutions of the global realities. Since the economic melt down of 2008, with two costly wars, and a gridlock caused by Congress lack of resolution, have led to a sad universal conclusion that America is on the verge of decline.

Foreign policy strategist Robert Kagan disagrees, in spite of the fast rise of China to a global superpower, which has caused anxiety in the West and prompted some to predict an era of power struggle, following two decades of American monopoly, as the only global super-power. Recalling  America's unique role of global leadership, Kagan refutes the mere possibility of US decline. He rejects the unsupported prediction of US economic and political softening in the near future, arguing that America is, and will stay the richest and most powerful nation on earth. The present world order was largely shaped by American supremacy, and reflects the West's interest to defend and advance free market and democratic government. A global power shifts in favor of China or other rising powers, says Kagan, may adapt a world order that suits new power sharing. The rising global powers, would surely agree to a shared global leadership, but America will stay in a unique major role.  Strategists assume that China, India, Brazil and Turkey would probably tend to preserve the present world order, or advance a modified version of it.

In the state of the nation's address, the president hinted at America's alleged decline, which Kagan rejected as an ungrounded speculation. "America is back," declared President Obama, listing a range of recent U.S. achievements on the global stage, adding, "Anyone who tells you otherwise; anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned, doesn't know what they're talking about, America remains the one indispensable nation in world affairs, and as long as I'm president, I intend to keep it that way."
There is little hope that a future multipolar power sharing would guarantee longer peace and stability than what it has since pre WWII. Some strategists believe that America's missed venture to establish the world order, that western democracies would wish to live in, when the US is no longer the only global superpower, has to prepare them for sharing the world stage. Kagan thinks that, "in matters of security, the rules and institutions of international order rarely survive the decline of the nations that erected them."

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Strategic-Vision-America-and-the-Crisis-of-Global-Power/dp/046502954X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Strategic Vision: America and the Crisis of Global Power</a>
4495278
The author's final thoughts speak more eloquently about this marvellous book than any review:

*The victory in the war on terrorism ultimately has to be won in the domain of morals and culture. It can be won only by an America - and Britain, and France, and Italy. - that has regained its awareness of its moral, spiritual, and civilizational roots. If that happens, the renewed impulse to defend those lands and to procreate will come, too. While the likelihood of such belated recovery remains in doubt, it it is not impossible. Miracles do happen, and therefore they will happen.*
747787
The Noblest Triumph is one of the most illuminating and important books I have ever read. That may sound like an overstatement, but I don't think so. This book shows why a system of property law that is predictable, secure, transparent and protects the little guy's property as well as the rich guy's is a prerequisite for a prosperous society.

Tom Bethell analyzes history, and factually supports his thesis that good property rights and good law are the necessary foundation for prosperity in a society. He shows how the lack of good law leads to poverty and how the presence of good law leads to prosperity.

The book abounds with supporting facts and examples. The research is amazingly extensive and excellent. I found the book fascinating as all kinds of things I had wondered about for years became clear.  It is like watching rugby, or some other game you don't know about, and feeling confused, and then watching it with someone who explains the rules of the game--suddenly you know what to look for, and it all starts to make sense.  Bethell shows how many seemingly minor facets of life are attributable to the workings of property-law in a society--for example, how long-term insecurity about law leads people in some parts of the world to build their homes with backs to the street and enclosed courtyards, like little fortresses.

Bethell shows that when you are wondering how a nation becomes prosperous, one essential question is--do the people in that nation feel secure owning their property? If yes, they naturally work hard to own and enjoy property and they beqeath it to their children--things we take for granted in the United States. (Until the outrageous U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo, which, in my opinion, should be overturned.)

This book made it crystal clear why a dictatorship, whatever its ideology, will always lead to poverty for its people. Arbitrary decision-making by people in power, including the arbitrary taking of people's property, shuts down the natural desire of the people to work and earn and build, maybe even employ others.  Prosperity doesn't have a chance to get started.  The uncertainty of whether someone can unlawfully, arbitrarily come and take what you have worked for makes it too risky to build wealth.  You don't want to be noticed; you don't want to be a target.  You conceal your wealth.  You keep it portable.  People hunker down.  Their behavior is perfectly rational. It's a game that's too dangerous to play.

The book makes it clear why Mexico, for example, with natural harbors, fertile soil, abundant natural resources and capable people, struggles with widespread poverty---it is because the Mexican government and Mexican laws do not protect the little guy's property rights, and many Mexican officials practice corruption.  So in Mexico, little guys do not--cannot--build weath.  In addition, international investors tend not to want to invest in Mexico for the same reasons. Whereas Australia, for example, with arguably a harsher climate, and farther to travel for international commerce, is prosperous. Australia has secure property-rights laws.

The book shows that many of the countries with secure property-rights laws have based their laws on those hammered out in England over many centuries. For example, Singapore.  Secure property rights support prosperity in any country, no matter where in the world they are in place.

I gave a copy of this book to my son, who has a degree in economics. He loved it. He said it was an amazing, eye-opening book.

This is only the second review I have ever written--this book is so excellent that I really wanted to review it. The more of us who understand the principles Tom Bethell has written about in this book, the better we will be as a nation and as a member of the international community on our planet, and the more prosperity there will be for everyone.  I want to thank Tom Bethell for his excellent work.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Noblest Triumph.  My opinion is, buy it, read it.  It will enlighten your comprehension and give you pleasure.  Enjoy!
3784478
This story eerily describes the current state of our country. Due to the incomptence of the last two administrations and refusal of our Congress to provide a safe context for growing prosperity (as in the story), those who can help promote such growth are penalized and, I fear, have been "backing out" of the American business scene. Read this book, think about its lessons and help save our great nation. Our leadership simply wants to take care of itself (again, as in the story).
3058633
George Friedman is correct when he claims that America today is an empire.  But he espouses using every means to maintain this position.  For my part, I'd rather see us become a second tier country than to for us to stoop to any tactic or strategy to maintain empire.

Many will regard my position as naive and simplistic.  They see the World as eat or be eaten.  I won't even try to change their minds.  I'm willing to accept being labeled naive and simplistic if that is what it takes.  For my part, I believe America is better than that.  We have been a beacon for 200 + years of "a better way."  If we insist that we have to play the eat or be eaten game, then we are no longer a beacon, and join the mass of "nothing special" nations.
1197053
Im a big fan of this book. I have read it several times now.

I think the title is a bit misleading.  The author isn't saying that you should not care about anything.  He points out that you can learn to prioritize what you care about.