The Spoils of War: Greed, Power, and the Conflicts That Made Our Greatest Presidents (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781610396622)

Two eminent political scientists show that America's great conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror, were fought not for ideals, or even geopolitical strategy, but for the individual gain of the presidents who waged them.

It's striking how many of the presidents Americans venerate-Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy, to name a few-oversaw some of the republic's bloodiest years. Perhaps they were driven by the needs of the American people and the nation. Or maybe they were just looking out for themselves.

This revealing and entertaining book puts some of America's greatest leaders under the microscope, showing how their calls for war, usually remembered as brave and noble, were in fact selfish and convenient. In each case, our presidents chose personal gain over national interest while loudly evoking justice and freedom. The result is an eye-opening retelling of American history, and a call for reforms that may make the future better.

Bueno de Mesquita and Smith demonstrate in compelling fashion that wars, even bloody and noble ones, are not primarily motivated by democracy or freedom or the sanctity of human life. When our presidents risk the lives of brave young soldiers, they do it for themselves.

Author: Andrew Cockburn
ISBN-10: 1610396626
ISBN-13: 9781610396622
Publisher: PublicAffairs
Language: English
Published: 09/27/2016
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.10w x 1.20d

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2016
Shelf Awareness 10/07/2016
Choice 05/01/2017