The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic

The New York Times bestseller from the author of Blowback. “Impressive . . . a powerful indictment of U. S. military and foreign policy.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

In the years after the Soviet Union imploded, the United States was described first as the globe’s “one superpower,” then as a “reluctant sheriff,” next as the “indispensable nation,” and now, in the wake of 9/11, as a “New Rome.” Here, Chalmers Johnson thoroughly explores the new militarism that is transforming America and compelling its people to pick up the burden of empire.

Reminding us of the classic warnings against militarism—from George Washington’s farewell address to Dwight Eisenhower’s denunciation of the military-industrial complex—Johnson uncovers its roots deep in our past. Turning to the present, he maps America’s expanding empire of military bases and the vast web of services that supports them. He offers a vivid look at the new caste of professional warriors who have infiltrated multiple branches of government, who classify as “secret” everything they do, and for whom the manipulation of the military budget is of vital interest.

Among Johnson’s provocative conclusions is that American militarism is putting an end to the age of globalization and bankrupting the United States, even as it creates the conditions for a new century of virulent blowback. The Sorrows of Empire suggests that the former American republic has already crossed its Rubicon—with the Pentagon leading the way.

“Trenchantly argued, comprehensively documented . . . worthy of the republic it seeks to defend.” —The Boston Globe

“A frightening picture of a military industrial complex grown into exactly the powerful, secretive force that Dwight D. Eisenhower warned against.” —The New York Times Book Review

1100625922
The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic

The New York Times bestseller from the author of Blowback. “Impressive . . . a powerful indictment of U. S. military and foreign policy.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

In the years after the Soviet Union imploded, the United States was described first as the globe’s “one superpower,” then as a “reluctant sheriff,” next as the “indispensable nation,” and now, in the wake of 9/11, as a “New Rome.” Here, Chalmers Johnson thoroughly explores the new militarism that is transforming America and compelling its people to pick up the burden of empire.

Reminding us of the classic warnings against militarism—from George Washington’s farewell address to Dwight Eisenhower’s denunciation of the military-industrial complex—Johnson uncovers its roots deep in our past. Turning to the present, he maps America’s expanding empire of military bases and the vast web of services that supports them. He offers a vivid look at the new caste of professional warriors who have infiltrated multiple branches of government, who classify as “secret” everything they do, and for whom the manipulation of the military budget is of vital interest.

Among Johnson’s provocative conclusions is that American militarism is putting an end to the age of globalization and bankrupting the United States, even as it creates the conditions for a new century of virulent blowback. The Sorrows of Empire suggests that the former American republic has already crossed its Rubicon—with the Pentagon leading the way.

“Trenchantly argued, comprehensively documented . . . worthy of the republic it seeks to defend.” —The Boston Globe

“A frightening picture of a military industrial complex grown into exactly the powerful, secretive force that Dwight D. Eisenhower warned against.” —The New York Times Book Review

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The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic

The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic

by Chalmers Johnson
The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic

The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic

by Chalmers Johnson

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Overview

The New York Times bestseller from the author of Blowback. “Impressive . . . a powerful indictment of U. S. military and foreign policy.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

In the years after the Soviet Union imploded, the United States was described first as the globe’s “one superpower,” then as a “reluctant sheriff,” next as the “indispensable nation,” and now, in the wake of 9/11, as a “New Rome.” Here, Chalmers Johnson thoroughly explores the new militarism that is transforming America and compelling its people to pick up the burden of empire.

Reminding us of the classic warnings against militarism—from George Washington’s farewell address to Dwight Eisenhower’s denunciation of the military-industrial complex—Johnson uncovers its roots deep in our past. Turning to the present, he maps America’s expanding empire of military bases and the vast web of services that supports them. He offers a vivid look at the new caste of professional warriors who have infiltrated multiple branches of government, who classify as “secret” everything they do, and for whom the manipulation of the military budget is of vital interest.

Among Johnson’s provocative conclusions is that American militarism is putting an end to the age of globalization and bankrupting the United States, even as it creates the conditions for a new century of virulent blowback. The Sorrows of Empire suggests that the former American republic has already crossed its Rubicon—with the Pentagon leading the way.

“Trenchantly argued, comprehensively documented . . . worthy of the republic it seeks to defend.” —The Boston Globe

“A frightening picture of a military industrial complex grown into exactly the powerful, secretive force that Dwight D. Eisenhower warned against.” —The New York Times Book Review


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781429900515
Publisher: Holt, Henry & Company, Inc.
Publication date: 09/04/2024
Series: The American Empire Project
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 412
File size: 3 MB

About the Author

Chalmers Johnson, president of the Japan Policy Research Institute, is the author of the bestselling books Blowback, The Sorrows of Empire, and Nemesis, which make up his Blowback Trilogy. He has written for the Los Angeles Times, the London Review of Books, Harper's Magazine, The Nation, and TomDispatch.com.

Read an Excerpt


From The Sorrows of Empire:

As of September 2001, the Department of Defense acknowledged that at least 725 military bases exist outside the United States. Actually, there are many more, since some bases exist under informal agreements or disguises of various kinds. And others have been created in the years since. This military empire ranges from al-Udeid air base in the desert of Qatar, where several thousand troops live in air-conditioned tents, to expensive, permanent garrisons built in such unlikely places as southeastern Kosovo,

Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Much like the British bases in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Srinagar—those north Indian hill stations used for the troops’ rest and recreation in the summer heat—U.S. armed forces operate a ski and vacation center at Garmish in the Bavarian Alps, a resort hotel in downtown Seoul, and 234 military golf courses worldwide. Seventy-one Learjets, thirteen Gulfstream IIIs, and seventeen Cessna Citation luxury jets are ready and waiting when U.S. admirals and generals come due for some R&R.

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