Posted on 09/17/2005 6:30:54 PM PDT by jocon307
My daughter has asked me to ask you all to recommend books on foreign affairs for her college course on International relations. My understanding is they must be non-fiction and pertain to the US relations with other nations, but other than that the field is wide open. They can be about any time in our history, any country, wide ranging or very specific and, of course, excellent writing always preferred. Thanks in advance to all who care to respond!
Good choice!
However, I'm not sure if it specifically relates to foreign relations and diplomacy.
And don't you wish there were a second edition covering more modern "intellectuals"?
"So many books, so little time."
Ain't that always the truth!
Most of the books suggested so far appear to be largely books of political philosophy or broad historical records. If you are interested in good topical books on current issues in international affairs, you need look no further than the online bookstores of some of our DC Think Tanks. The books will generally reflect the political philosophy of their sponsoring instutitions, which will be a refreshing contrast to the books that your daughter's school is likely to have assigned. Here is a typical example as well as links to three of the major think tanks. You should encourage your daughter to explore these sites. (In addition to the great book selection, your daughter will also find thousands of topical articles, research papers and lecture notes reflecting non leftist perspectives.)
https://secure.heritage.org/bookstore/ProductDetail.cfm?id=10
Rethinking One China
John J. Tkacik, Jr.
"One China" poses a dilemma for American foreign policy. China says Taiwan is part of China; Taiwan says it is not. Meanwhile, the United States refuses to support either position. This American agnosticism is confusingly called the "One China Policy." The essays in this book look at the reality: that two separate countries now face each other across the Taiwan Strait. One is the emerging Chinese superpower on the Asian mainland, and the other is the young Taiwanese democracy in the island rim of the Western Pacific.
Rethinking One China
John J. Tkacik, Jr.
"One China" poses a dilemma for American foreign policy. China says Taiwan is part of China; Taiwan says it is not. Meanwhile, the United States refuses to support either position. This American agnosticism is confusingly called the "One China Policy." The essays in this book look at the reality: that two separate countries now face each other across the Taiwan Strait. One is the emerging Chinese superpower on the Asian mainland, and the other is the young Taiwanese democracy in the island rim of the Western Pacific.
http://heritage.org (conservative)
http://aei.org (neo-con)
http://cato.org (libertarian)
I second "Reagan's War!"
You are correct - it doesn't exactly relate to foreign affairs, but its transcendent. People like Marx, who Johnson scathingly covered, ended up driving virtually all of the foreign policy of the 20th century.
And I completely agree, it would be nice to have a second edition that covers our modern "intellectuals". Interesting how we use that term to describe people that are basically ignorant and closed minded. Another one of life's ironies.
"Joshua Muravchik is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute studying the United Nations, neoconservatism, the history of socialism and communism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, global democracy, terrorism, and the Bush Doctrine."
OY! He's making me tired just reading about him ; )
Thanks for your great suggestions!
It might be a stretch but China, Inc by Ted Fishman is an interesting read about the economic impact of a single nation on the world scene.
I know others have mentioned this, but every American should be familiar with:
Witness by Whittaker Chambers
first published in 1952 but just as timely today.
For background, see the excellent:
Whittaker Chambers: A Biography by Sam Tanenhaus
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