Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Second Chance: Three Presidents and the Crisis of American Superpower, 2007, etc.) looks carefully at this shifting redistribution in global power as the West recedes, making way for entrants from Asia, Africa and Latin America, seized by their own sense of political awareness. In his crisp, systematic fashion, the author begins by examining reasons for the waning U.S. influence, offering some pointed criticism: The "durability of its leadership is increasingly questioned worldwide because of the complexity of its internal and external challenges"; its magical twin motivations of idealism and materialism are no longer viable; its own house is in disrepair; and its populace is self-deluded and, frankly, ignorant about the rest of the world. Weakened further by its unwarranted aggression in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. is now seen as a negative influence, arousing animus worldwide. Meanwhile, the sun is rising in the East, and Brzezinski looks at growth in China, Japan, Turkey, Russia, India and others--though the author concludes that most are plagued by too many problems to become world leaders by 2025. Other hotspots make up the "geopolitically most endangered states," such as Georgia, Taiwan, South Korea, Belarus, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Israel. Ultimately, Brzezinski provides a powerful cautionary tale: By harnessing its overall strengths in terms of economic, social and political ranking, superiority of higher education, rich natural resources and population resiliency, America can indeed "rise to the occasion." An urgent call for "historic renewal" by one of America's sharpest minds.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Choice
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.

In light of the relative decline of US political and economic influence in the world, what are America's fundamental foreign policy interests and how should it pursue them? In his 1998 book on grand strategy, The Grand Chessboard, Brzezinski set forth a vision of America's global role in the 21st century based on the country's geopolitical hegemony. In his new book, written 14 years later, Brzezinski (Johns Hopkins Univ.) assesses the implications of America's decline and the shift in political and economic influence from the West to the East. He argues that the shifting balance of power in the world poses significant challenges not only to the US but also to the international community. He suggests that American leadership can play an important role in managing international relations in this time of crisis by, among other things, protecting vulnerable states, advancing global peace and prosperity, and helping to regulate the global commons. If America is to carry out such responsibilities, however, it must devise a "strategic vision" and pursue a program of national renewal. This well-written, geostrategic analysis of international relations is strongly recommended for all libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. M. Amstutz Wheaton College