The Long War
A New History of U.S. National Security Policy Since World War II
📘 About This Book
Essays by a diverse and distinguished group of historians, political scientists, and sociologists examine the alarms, emergencies, controversies, and confusions that have characterized America's Cold War, the post-Cold War interval of the 1990s, and today's "Global War on Terror." This "Long War" has left its imprint on virtually every aspect of American life; by considering it as a whole, The Long War is the first volume to take a truly comprehensive look at America's response to the national-security crisis touched off by the events of World War II. Contributors consider topics ranging from grand strategy and strategic bombing to ideology and economics and assess the changing American way of war and Hollywood's surprisingly consistent depiction of Americans at war. They evaluate the evolution of the national-security apparatus and the role of dissenters who viewed the myriad activities of that apparatus with dismay. They take a fresh look at the Long War's civic implications and its impact on civil-military relations. More than a military history, The Long War examines the ideas, policies, and institutions that have developed since the United States claimed the role of global superpower. This protracted crisis has become a seemingly permanent, if not defining aspect of contemporary American life. In breaking down the old and artificial boundaries that have traditionally divided the postwar period into neat historical units, this volume provides a better understanding of the evolution of the United States and U.S. policy since World War II and offers a fresh perspective on our current national security predicament.
📖 Summary
The Long War, edited by Andrew J. Bacevich and published in 2007, spans 603 pages of deeply analytical essays that challenge readers to rethink the trajectory of modern American national security. Bringing together a diverse and distinguished group of historians, political scientists, and sociologists, the volume offers a comprehensive examination of the continuous state of crisis that has defined the United States for generations. Rather than viewing the Cold War, the brief post-Cold War interval of the 1990s, and the contemporary Global War on Terror as isolated historical chapters, the contributors to this collection argue that they are part of a singular, unbroken continuum. This enduring national security emergency, which was originally touched off by the cataclysmic events of World War II, has fundamentally reshaped virtually every single aspect of American life, culture, politics, and economy. By looking at this sweeping timeline as a whole, the book provides the first truly comprehensive assessment of how the nation has responded to perpetual global threat. The essays within the collection explore an expansive range of topics, ensuring that the analysis goes far beyond traditional battlefield histories. Contributors investigate the evolution of grand strategy and the doctrine of strategic bombing, tracing how technological developments and military theories have influenced foreign policy decisions over the decades. Beyond direct military operations, the volume dives deeply into the ideological currents and economic forces that have sustained this ongoing state of mobilization. It asks critical questions about how the American way of war has adapted and transformed under the pressure of changing global dynamics. Furthermore, the book turns its analytical lens toward cultural reflections, offering fascinating insights into Hollywood's surprisingly consistent depiction of Americans at war across different eras and political climates. Throughout the pages of The Long War, the authors and scholars assembled by Bacevich evaluate how continuous martial readiness has affected domestic institutions, societal values, and the very fabric of American democracy. The collection does not offer simple, comforting answers; instead, it confronts the alarms, emergencies, controversies, and profound confusions that have characterized decades of foreign intervention and domestic adjustment. By synthesizing decades of historical scholarship into a single cohesive narrative, the book serves as an essential resource for understanding the historical roots of contemporary geopolitical challenges. It invites readers to look past partisan rhetoric and immediate headlines, urging a deeper reckoning with the systemic and long-lasting consequences of a society permanently structured for global conflict.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Features contributions from a diverse and distinguished group of scholars.
Offers a truly comprehensive look at American national security across multiple decades.
Covers a wide range of topics, from grand strategy to Hollywood cinema.
Connects historical eras that are traditionally studied in isolation.
⚠️ Cons
The dense academic writing style may challenge casual readers.
The extensive page length requires a significant time commitment.
❓ FAQ
Who edited The Long War? +
The book was edited by Andrew J. Bacevich.
When was The Long War published? +
It was published in 2007.
How many pages does the book contain? +
The book spans 603 pages.
What historical periods are covered in the book? +
The book covers America's Cold War, the post-Cold War 1990s interval, and the Global War on Terror.
What types of contributors wrote the essays? +
The essays were written by a diverse and distinguished group of historians, political scientists, and sociologists.
