The Opportunity: America’s Moment to Alter History’s Course
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Politics Among Nations by Hans Morgenthau (McGraw-Hill, $58). This is the classic statement of realism. It is not easy. Like fudge, you have to take it in small pieces, because it is so rich. Unlike fudge, though, it won’t make you fat.
American Diplomacy 1900–1950 by George Kennan (Chicago, $10). This slim book includes the famous article, by “X,” which laid out the containment doctrine that guided U.S. foreign policy throughout 40 years of Cold War. It began as a cable to the State Department from a young foreign service officer serving in Moscow, and it appeared in Foreign Affairs in 1947. The prose is clear and the thinking still valuable, in this case as a guide for what the United States should do now regarding Iran and North Korea.
A World Restored by Henry Kissinger (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, $29). Based on what is quite possibly the best doctoral dissertation ever, Kissinger’s study of the Congress of Vienna is a powerful mix of history, portraits, and statecraft. I first read this as a graduate student. It inspired me at the same time that it intimidated me because I knew I could never write anything nearly as good.
Just and Unjust Wars by Michael Walzer (Basic, $22.50). A thoughtful introduction to the morality and legality of using military force. Essential reading if you want to appreciate the arguments behind the decision to attack Iraq.
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
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Beth Macy’s 6 favorite books about living in a divided nationFeature The journalist recommends works by Nicholas Buccola, Matthew Desmond, and more
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Gilbert King’s 6 favorite books about the search for justiceFeature The journalist recommends works by Bryan Stevenson, David Grann, and more
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Nathan Harris’ 6 favorite books that turn adventures into revelationsFeature The author recommends works by Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McGuire, and more
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Marisa Silver’s 6 favorite books that capture a lifetimeFeature The author recommends works by John Williams, Ian McEwan, and more
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Lou Berney’s 6 favorite books with powerful storytellingFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Dorothy B. Hughes, James McBride, and more
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Elizabeth Gilbert’s favorite books about women overcoming difficultiesFeature The author recommends works by Tove Jansson, Lauren Groff, and more
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Fannie Flagg’s 6 favorite books that sparked her imaginationFeature The author recommends works by Johanna Spyri, John Steinbeck, and more
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Jessica Francis Kane's 6 favorite books that prove less is moreFeature The author recommends works by Penelope Fitzgerald, Marie-Helene Bertino, and more
