In the Shadows of the American Century

By: Alfred W. McCoy

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

In a completely original analysis, prizewinning historian Alfred W. McCoy explores America's rise as a world power - from the 1890s through the Cold War - and its bid to extend its hegemony deep into the 21st century through a fusion of cyberwar, space warfare, trade pacts, and military alliances. McCoy then analyzes the marquee instruments of US hegemony - covert intervention, client elites, psychological torture, and worldwide surveillance.

Peeling back layers of secrecy, McCoy exposes a military and economic battle for global domination fought in the shadows, largely unknown to those outside the highest rungs of power. Can the United States extend the "American Century" or will China guide the globe for the next 100 years? McCoy devotes his final chapter to these questions, boldly laying out a series of scenarios that could lead to the end of Washington's world domination by 2030.

©2018 Alfred W. McCoy (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Synoptic perspective on America’s role in the world, full of surprises

Prof. McCoy’s lifelong study of America’s exercise of power from the dawn of its imperial venture after the Spanish-American war up to the present - plus speculative scenarios through 2030 and beyond - covers diplomatic, administrative, economic, and military trends and strategies. His unorthodox short list of the major American strategists - they are Elihu Root, Zbigniew Brezinkski, and Barack Obama - are a tip- off: this is no conventional history. Very much worth reading or hearing.

Master piece!

The kind of book all American should read to meat their demons and fortunes, and make America the greatest country beyond an empire. Thanks to the authors. I greatly appreciate it!

The future looks bleak for America

Important reading for anyone worried about the future of American empire. McCoy compares the collapse of the American empire to others and puts forth four distinct scenarios of collapse. Very relevant today with a new administration in office.

HeS bIaSeD

The dude was literally hunted by the CIA. His dad was a veteran who killed himself. He isn't biased, in fact he's far more qualified than any of us to truly understand and wrap his head around this.

This book is just facts and future speculation. It's things that happened and could be happening, but with a personal twist that helps this feel more like a conversation than a lecture.

Yeah, so ignore the brainwashed patriots in the comments. This book was never gonna be for them.

Endless bad spirit

Repetitious self promotion with grumpy spicing. Nothing new except new heapings of ignorance Chinese capability. Perhaps there was a discussion of Chinese demografic colapse but I did not see it.

A simple wase of tine. Howeve! Robert Kagen wrote "The World America Made" that puts buts the entire bost WW2 era into marvelos historic and cultural perspective.

It would have been better without the bias.

It would have been better without the political bias. When just dealing with facts, it was good, but the Author was clearly bias for and against a political party. Topics covered about other countries were fairly even, but very clearly he had a political bias.

A fascinating look into US mismanagement and as result decline.

Filled with history of US endeavors both domestically and internationally, this book seeks to root out common mythology of the US state and replace it with a coherent history finished with official projection and some of the writers own projections. I found the book both unsettling in its candor but refreshing in its honesty. I strongly recommend anyone looking to understand US hegemony better to give a listen or a read. The author is compelling in his arguments and bolstered by historical president. A five star book!

A disturbing view of America’s recent past and possible future.

Filled with facts and historical information, this book paints a sad picture of America’s misadventures internationally in recent times. It offers several mostly gloomy scenarios about the future. But at the very end offers the hope if we can only get our act together soon America’s future might be a good one.

Past student, McCoy is for real.

Al McCoy is one of the best history professors I've ever had. I've studied under McCoy and attended his lectures on The War in Vietnam and Colonialism & Imperialism in South East Asia. Both from speaking with him perspnally, listening to his lectures and participatong in discussions guided by this skilled historian - I can truly say he is a well read man and has a way with words when it comes to teaching American history and it's impacts both foreign and domestic.

This book is an example of his mastery of the subject - very good book!

excellent and detailed summary

McCoy is brilliant ...he presents an excellent and detailed summary of events...not for the squeamish