The Limits of Power by Andrew Bacevich

The Limits of Power by Andrew Bacevich

Andrew Bacevich speaks truth to power, no matter who's in power, which may be why those of both the left and right listen to him.--Bill Moyers

An immediate New York Times bestseller, The Limits of Power offers an unparalleled examination of the profound triple crisis facing America: an economy in disarray that can no longer be fixed by relying on expansion abroad; a government transformed by an imperial presidency into a democracy in name only; and an engagement in endless wars that has severely undermined the body politic.

Writing with knowledge born of experience, conservative historian and former military officer Andrew J. Bacevich argues that if the nation is to solve its predicament, it will need the revival of a distinctly American approach: the neglected tradition of realism. In contrast to the multiple illusions that have governed American policy since 1945, he calls for respect for power and its limits; aversion to claims of exceptionalism; skepticism of easy solutions, especially those involving force; and a conviction that Americans must live within their means. Only a return to such principles, Bacevich eloquently argues, can provide common ground for fixing America's urgent problems before the damage becomes irreparable.

Professor of History and International Affairs at Boston University, Andrew J. Bacevich He holds a doctorate in history from Princeton and was a Bush Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin. He is a West Point graduate and a Vietnam veteran. He is the author of a number of books, including Washington Rules: America's Road to Perpetual War and The Limits of Power, which was a New York Times best-seller.