2 Books Like M

The Wars for Asia is a masterpiece of historical analysis. It casts a new light on the history of World War II and, in the process, it reveals the enduring foundations of current political rivalries over the Eurasian landmass and the Pacific Ocean. The book demonstrates that what we usually refer to as World War II is the interlocking interaction of three different conflicts -- the Chinese Civil War, the regional war between China and Japan, and the global war pitting the US and its allies against the Axis powers. Each one of these conflicts had its own logic and dynamic. At the same time, none of these conflicts can be fully understood and explained if looked at in isolation, as is the case in usual historical accounts. That is why the Wars for Asia is so innovative: it shows the interconnections between and across these conflicts and how their… show more.

Jimmy Carter in Africa tells the story of US foreign policy towards Africa during the Carter administration. The book offers a comprehensive overview, but it predominantly focuses on two aspects: the decolonization of Rhodesia, and the war in the Horn of Africa. It may appear a standard account of US diplomatic history. But it is not. The book not only connects domestic politics in the US, the domestic political and societal battles against racism, and the international competition between the US and the USSR. It also provides perceptive assessments of the ambition, moral compass, political shrewdness, and at times pettiness of the key protagonists, starting from President Carter and his cabinet leaders to the African leaders, Mugabe, Siad Barre, Mengistu, among others. The portrayal of Andy Young, US Ambassador to the United Nations, is a special gem in the book.