Book cover of Promised Land, Crusader State: The American Encounter with the World Since 1776

Book description

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Walter McDougall reinterprets the traditions that have shaped U.S. foreign policy from 1776 to the present in "an entertaining and iconoclastic fashion" (Philadelphia Inquirer).

In a concise analysis, McDougall divides American diplomatic history into two stages, which he calls "Old Testament" and "New Testament" phases.

The "Old…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Promised Land, Crusader State as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book boasts the world’s greatest title. With just four words, McDougall’s title describes our trajectory as a country. We started as a beacon and example to others, only to (d)evolve into trying to get others to become more like us. In one sense, our impulse to convert others is laudable; it’s admirable that we want everyone to benefit from capitalism and democracy as much as we do.

But what happens when our values, beliefs, and practices don’t suit others? McDougall does an unparalleled job of revealing the costs to them and to us.   

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On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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