From Colony to Superpower

Starred review from August 11, 2008
This latest entry in the outstanding Oxford History of the United States is continually engrossing in its overview of American diplomacy. Herring (America's Longest War
), an authority on the history of American foreign policy, emphasizes that George Washington's 1796 farewell was not a call for isolationism but simply a warning to be careful in forming alliances; America was already enmeshed in the bitter war between Britain and France. Herring details how aggressively U.S. diplomats and soldiers pressured Spain, Mexico and Britain to yield territory as the nation expanded. The passion for spreading American ideals reached its first peak after WWI with Woodrow Wilson, whose principles the author admires though many, such as national self-determination, have proved disastrous. Entering the 21st century, the U.S. was at its peak as the world's sole superpower. Herring take his narrative up through 9/11, the rise of the renewed passion, led by neoconservatives, to spread democracy and the war in Iraq, whose only winner, Herring says, is Iran. Herring's lucid prose and thought-provoking arguments give this large tome a pace that never flags. 51 b&w illus.

January 15, 2009
Herring (history, emeritus, Univ. of Kentucky; "America's Longest War") has created a verbal monument to the place of the United States in the world. The only themed volume so far in the "Oxford History of the United States" series, this work portrays the history of the world's foremost republic through the prism of its international interactions. Striking is the emergence, through Herring's clear and compelling storytelling, of certain themes in the way the United States has conducted and still conducts itself among nations. Through Herring's methodical presentation of the facts we see a nation alternately petty and grasping, magnanimous and generous, a nation propelled to greatness by equal amounts of arrogance, racism, and greed but most of all by a genuine desire to make of the world something better. The author's quick character sketches of the actors who move this narrative forward bring life to a subject that could, in less skilled hands, easily induce tedium. Highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.Michael F. Russo, Louisiana State Univ. Libs., Baton Rouge

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September 15, 2008
When President Washington expressed the hope that his new, fragile nation would eventually reach a stage when none can make us afraid, he could not have anticipated the hyper power status currently achieved by the U.S. The purpose of this ambitious and massive work is to track and explain how 13 separate, vulnerable British colonies evolved to carve out a position of dominance in world affairs. This is the latest volume in the Oxford History of the United States series. Earlier volumes dealt with specific chronological periods, but this is the first to utilize a thematic approach. Herrings recurring theme is the intimate connection between American foreign policy and our territorial and economic expansion, especially in the nineteenth century. Herring effectively dismisses the myth of American isolationism. Even before our Revolution, Americans had strong economic ties with several European powers, and our diplomatic efforts were essential in facilitating the westward movement. Herring also deftly deals with the often-conflicting strains of idealism and pragmatism that have motivated our policy makers. Patient and well-informed general readers will find this well worth the effort.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)