“The Folly of War” Says US Tries to Improve the World – but Tragically Fails
The Folly of War: American Foreign Policy, 1898-2005, a disturbing history book that has just been published, raises questions about how America goes to war.
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 25, 2006 -- The Folly of War: American Foreign Policy, 1898-2005, by Donald E. Schmidt, is a critical analysis of America’s wars in the 20th century. The 370-page book is now available from all on-line booksellers and major academic book distributors.
For readers who analyze history, relying on accumulated facts and logic, this is a disturbing book that raises questions about how we go to war, how we fight wars, and how we eventually lose wars.
Drawing on a wide rage of sources and rigorously marshalling the facts, the book concludes that America’s participation in wars in the past century has been futile, unnecessary and misguided. Many Americans view the military defeat in Vietnam as an aberration, interrupting a string of foreign military successes. This book sees that tragedy as part of a line of politically reckless engagements that span the century.
Driven by a proud self assurance that is often termed “American exceptionalism,” the nation arms itself to the teeth and intrudes into every region, pacing on a treadmill of perpetual war to achieve perpetual peace. The author notes that after seven major wars in a century, and over half a million American military deaths, we are no closer to the security we seek.
He finds that many people dislike wars in the abstract, but have a favorite one that they are sure saved the world. “The Folly of War” is upsetting to all, then, as it shows the futility of all wars — it is an "equal-opportunity offender."
Schmidt explains, “My book sounds like it was written by an angry, long-haired, hippie-like professor. But on the contrary I am just a conservative Midwesterner who raised a family, loves simple things in life.
“The story I tell is essentially from the anti-war Right with its extolling of the Founding Fathers' limited view of America's role in the world.
“The Midwestern culture in which I grew up placed a premium of integrity. The deceitful manipulation of the public that I see, starting in particular with FDR, sickens me. When I saw that Bush was heading into Iraq, I felt compelled to speak out. I am not about to turn this nation's tragic foreign policy around, but a historian has to be willing to draw appropriate conclusions, however unpleasant they may be.”
What readers say about The Folly of War:
“Most interesting, well-documented, well-reasoned, thought-provoking, and informative.”
“Provides a much-needed critique of American foreign policy as well as serving as an accurate and concise historical reference. It may very well be one of the most important books of our time as it serves as a much-needed wake-up call for all Americans who believe in the Republic.”
“The Folly of War: American Foreign Policy, 1898-2005” can be ordered from all major on-line booksellers and academic book distributors. The ebook is available through netLibrary.
For additional information, contact the author, Donald E. Schmidt, or visit
About the Author
Donald E. Schmidt has taught college-level history and political science in California for 23 years. He holds an advanced degree in modern American diplomatic history from California State University, Northridge. He now lives outside of Atlanta, GA.
A born-and-bred Red Stater, Schmidt comments on the irony of studying America’s last seven wars and finding that he could no longer support the popular view of the “beneficial role” the US has played in the world. “After having fought long and hard during the late Cold War against the peacenik Left, I am now a peacenik of some sort. It does take a while to get used to.”
Don Schmidt can be contacted at: 770 886-1427.
About Algora Publishing.
Algora Publishing is an independent publisher featuring top international authors on questions of global scope on subjects in history, international affairs, current issues, political economy, philosophy and culture. Our message is one of enlightenment, social progress and intellectual curiosity. Nonplussed by world events? Come to Algora — nonfiction for the nonplussed.
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