Review: Why Leaders Lie–The Truth About Lying in International Politics

John J. Mearsheimer Cornerstone, Not the Whole Building January 2, 2011 By no stretch should this book be dismissed as a three. While I might normally have gone with a four, I am settling on five for balance and because the author not only covers an extraordinarily important topic in a sensible measured way, but …

Review: Griftopia–Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, and the Long Con That Is Breaking America

Matt Taibbi 6 Star Game Changer….Maybe November 2, 2010 This is an extraordinary book, combining gifted insights and turns of phrase with serious research that has a point worth fighting for: Wall Street led by Goldman Sachs has ripped off the entire US economy, and they still have most people thinking that politics matters. It …

Event: Rethinking US Grand Strategy & Foreign Policy

SCHEDULED SEMINARS | SEMINAR SPECIFICS |  QUESTIONS? The Rethinking Seminar Series produced by the Johns Hopkins University / Applied Physics Laboratory has been underway for six years. The Seminars  bring together distinguished speakers and interested professionals in free, informal discussions on a wide range of national security topics.  The seminars occur approximately monthly in Arlington, VA, near the Pentagon.  …

Review: The World Is Open–How Web Technology Is Revolutionizing Education

6 STAR Wake Up Call for All Educators August 19, 2010 Curtis J. Bonk UPDATE 21 Aug 2010 to add two graphics. I’ve seen educators struggle to herd their faculty cats, hire staff under industrial-era rules, and strive to accommodate students that know more than their professors about anything outside the “teach to test” topic. …

Review: Secret History–The CIA’s Classified Account of Its Operations in Guatemala, 1952-1954

Phenomenal “Primary” Source Relevant Today July 26, 2010 Nick Cullather This is the original, Stanford has also just produced a new version, Secret History: The CIA’s Classified Account of Its Operations in Guatemala 1952-1954. I bought this used and not only loved the speed of delivery, but the notes from the previous owner. My next …

Review: Revolutions and Revolutionary Movements

Excellent Primer Lacking in Some Substantive Respects July 7, 2010 James DeFronzo There is no question but that this book would be an excellent undergraduate primer, but it is lacking in a number of substantive respects. The shortfalls first: 1. Needs to add understanding and summary of “secret war” and covert action dimensions underlying each …