Überpower: The Imperial Temptation of America - Tapa dura

Effortlessly mixing military history with diplomatic analysis, Josef Joffe examines the transformation of the United States from a coalition-building superpower to a sprawling and surly uberpower, constrained only by the consequences of its unilateral actions. America is now tempted to throw its weight around, neglect old allies and bypass international institutions. Discussing all dimensions of power - military, economic and cultural - Joffe sees America as a geo-political bulldozer that quashes old traditions, while simultaneously providing dispensations around the world. History tells that power generates counterpower. How can America escape the fate of earlier hegemons laid low by lesser nations ganging-up on them? "Uberpower" discusses what America's role should be, discovers how its imperial temptation fares against Islamicist terrorism, and suggests ways in which it can regain the respect and influence it has lost in recent years.

Publisher-editor of Die Zeit since 2000, JOSEF JOFFE has taught at Johns Hopkins, Harvard and Stanford Universities, where he is currently a fellow at the Hoover Institute.