First published 2008
America faces a crisis of global standing after years of declining reputation worldwide. Scholar and former presidential speechwriter Ted Widmer examines how the nation that once inspired the world fell so far from grace. He traces America's historic mission to serve as liberty's global guardian across multiple centuries. The book chronicles how founding generations established surprisingly international ambitions that successive presidents advanced through military and economic strength. Widmer highlights America's positive Middle East relationships, argues for reconsidering Wilson's legacy, and defends Clinton's overlooked accomplishments. He connects this historical pattern directly to contemporary foreign policy decisions. While acknowledging the catastrophic Iraq occupation, Widmer demonstrates America's long record of successfully promoting freedom worldwide. The narrative reveals how documents from the Declaration of Independence to the Gettysburg Address to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reflect America's consistent advocacy for liberty despite its failures.
Genres: history, political-science, non-fiction, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, political-thriller
Setting: America, Middle East
Period: Multiple Centuries
384 pages · Hardcover · Hill and Wang