In Play by the Rules, acclaimed writer and historian Michael Pembroke offers a fresh take on the USAhsquo;s vast influence and asks whether it is still a force for good.
The United States of America has long claimed to be the leader of the tsquo;free worlddsquo;, however for the last seventy-five years, as it has routinely endeavoured to transform other countries to its liberal democratic, capitalist image, the consequences have been frequently disastrous. Whether this global powerhouse has acted within the rules is up for debate. Variously described as esquo;self-interested and mutually destructiveesquo;, many believe isquo;we are in danger of losing America as a moral authority and inspiration in the worldosquo;.
Focusing on the role and actions of the USA, and on the qualities of leadership that sustain its power, Play by the Rules is an exploration of these seventy-five years and ultimately questions where the USA has led its allies, including Australia, and what the future might hold as the nations in Asia begin to flex their power.
Praise for Michael Pembroke and Korea: Where the American Century Began:
'Started to read and just could not stop odash; Maddening, painfulsellip;Perceptive and compelling odash; often heart-rending, sometimes downright terrifying dash; this richly informed study amply establishes its thesis that the Gsquo;permanent phenomenonpsquo; of American global militarism has its origin in the Korean conflict.' ?dash; Noam Chomsky
?squo;'I read it in one go on a plane journey ?dash; fascinated, educated, appalled, amazed, and gripped. I take my hat off to the richness of the research ?ellip; I came away from reading the book in equal parts full of admiration for the book itself, and appalled by the story it tells.psquo; ddash; A.C. Grayling
