There are portions that could have been edited out, sure - but the length is what makes this the most comprehensive book of US imperial history around. Should be required reading for all US citizens.

One of the most striking stories in this brilliantly conceived and executed book tells of a young Filipino boy who had miraculously survived the catastrophic Battle of Manila. He was approached by a weary US soldier, who offered him some chocolate. The boy started speaking to the soldier in fluent English, startling the soldier, who began inquiring how he learned the language. The boy explained to the soldier that the Philippines was a US territory. The soldier had no idea. He thought he was invading a foreign country.

As Immerwahr emphasizes, that a US soldier could have been flown and shipped across the Pacific Ocean, was probably briefed about topography and many other features of the archipelago, and had just risked his life, all while completely ignorant of the fact that he was fighting to retake US soil, is a powerful example of the blindness of US men and women throughout history to the actual dimensions of their country. So influential has been the "logo map"--the outline of the country as it appears in silhouette, usually as the lower 48 states, maybe with Alaska and Hawai'i tacked on somehow--to our imagination of what the country "is," that huge chunks of that history have been treated as if it were the history of a foreign country.

Immerwahr's tremendous ability to excavate illuminating stories with complex characters combines with a complete lucidity of argument to drive home how much this history matters, and how partial the standard "national" history really is.

This is a well written, well paced book that adds greatly to our understanding of who we are as a country and how we got here. It is timely, and I recommend it highly.

I recently had the privilege of receiving an advanced copy of "How to Hide an Empire," by Daniel Immerwahr (courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux). I am pleased to report that this book is one of the finest recent analysis of imperialism (in its modern, evolved, guise). What is more, this formidable task is accomplished in a very accessible and well documented manner. Fundamentally, it is a text which assesses the new American and Global Empire, as distinguished from the 18th Century models most of us grew up examining. The analysis is thoroughly engrossing and supported by copious endnotes. The analysis is particularly strong is assessing what I think of as Cultural Imperialism. The author makes his points clearly, concisely, and with verve through his far ranging romp through the ways in which American culture and economic and military power has obviated old fashioned land grabs in favor of a far more sophisticated model based on global projections of military and economic power. It is nothing short of a breathtaking tour de force, witty and anecdotal, often surprising (not least in being very balanced (no easy accomplishment). I am pleased to recommend this book to anyone who wants to challenge their existing views of the modern world. It is thought provoking and a great read!