This new edition of Michael H. Hunt's classic reinterpretation of American diplomatic history includes a preface that reflects on the personal experience and intellectual agenda behind the writing of the book, surveys the broad impact of the book's argument, and addresses the challenges to the thesis since the book's original publication. In the wake of 9/11 this interpretation is more pertinent than ever.

Praise for the previous edition:

"Clearly written and historically sound. . . . A subtle critique and analysis."—Gaddis Smith, Foreign Affairs

"A lean, plain-spoken treatment of a grand subject. . . . A bold piece of criticism and advocacy. . . . The right focus of the argument may insure its survival as one of the basic postwar critiques of U.S. policy."—John W. Dower, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

"A work of intellectual vigor and daring, impressive in its scholarship and imaginative in its use of material."—Ronald Steel, Reviews in American History

"A masterpiece of historical compression."—Wilson Quarterly

“A penetrating and provocative study. . . . A pleasure both to read and to contemplate."—John Martz, Journal of Politics