Rambling Dan Rose Deep Dive Book Reviews

Today we review David Moscrop's "Too Dumb for Democracy?" which examines the reasons behind flawed political choices and proposes methods for enhancing decision-making. Moscrop investigates cognitive biases, emotional influences, and the impact of media framing, priming, and agenda-setting on individual judgment. Moscrop further analyzes how institutions and systems, such as political parties and economic structures, shape politica...

Today, we review Eric Storm's Nationalism: A World History, which examines the evolution of nationalism from premodern Europe to the post-Cold War era. The book traces the development of nation-states, exploring their relationship with citizenship, state-building, and cultural homogenization. Significant attention is paid to the interplay between nationalism and other factors, such as warfare, economic modernization, and cultural p...

Today, we review Williamson Murray's book, The Dark Path: The Structure of War and the Rise of the West. It examines the evolution of warfare from the 15th century to the late 20th century, focusing on military-social revolutions and technological advancements. The book explores key historical battles and conflicts, analyzing strategic decisions, technological innovations, and the interplay between military and political factors. I...

Our review today is of Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier's book, Irresistible Revolution, which argues that Marxist ideology is infiltrating the US military and American society. Lohmeier examines the 1619 Project and critical race theory, asserting they are tools used to divide the nation and undermine its founding principles. He explores historical precedents for this type of ideological subversion, including the Cultural Revolution in C...

Today, we review a Cato Institute report, written by Johan Norberg, "Sweden's Lessons for America," which argues that Sweden's success is not due to socialism, as many Americans believe, but rather to its historical embrace of free-market principles. The author contends that Sweden's brief experiment with extensive social programs in the 1970s nearly crippled its economy, leading to subsequent market-oriented reforms. These reforms...

Today we review Johan Norberg's "The Capitalist Manifesto," arguing for global capitalism's benefits. The book champions free markets and economic liberalization, citing reduced poverty and increased human well-being as evidence of its success. Norberg critiques protectionist and interventionist policies, arguing that they stifle innovation and hinder economic growth. He addresses counterarguments regarding job losses, inequality, ...

Today, we review Simon Shuster's book, "The Showman," which examines Volodymyr Zelensky's transformation from comedian to wartime president. It explores Zelensky's initial reluctance to enter politics, his motivations for running, and his evolution into a global symbol of resistance during the Russian invasion. The book details his experiences and those of his team in Kyiv during the early months of the war, including personal anec...

Today we're reviewing Robert D. Kaplan's "The Tragic Mind," which explores the intersection of geography, history, literature, and political decision-making. Kaplan argues that a "tragic sensibility," informed by the works of Greek tragedians and Shakespeare, is crucial for effective leadership, particularly in foreign policy. He emphasizes the importance of understanding limitations and the unavoidable conflict between competing g...

Today, we review Yaroslav Trofimov's "Our Enemies Will Vanish," a non-fiction account of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The book incorporates the author's reporting from the Wall Street Journal, providing a detailed narrative of the conflict from the perspective of those on the ground in Ukraine. Trofimov's narrative covers the period leading up to the invasion, the initial shock and response, the subsequent fighting across ...

Today, we review Nellie Bowles's "Morning After the Revolution," which recounts the author's experiences covering the rapid shifts in American political culture during and after 2020. Bowles focuses on the rise of progressive activism, its excesses, and the subsequent backlash. The book examines various movements, including the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), Antifa, and Black Lives Matter, exploring their aims, actions, and i...

Today we are reviewing Dmitri Alperovitch and Garrett M. Graff's book, "World on the Brink," which examines the burgeoning Cold War between the United States and China. The authors analyze China's potential invasion strategy for Taiwan, detailing the military planning and technological aspects involved. They also explore historical US-China relations, highlighting key moments of cooperation and conflict, and discuss the current geo...

Our book review today is of "Unit X- How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Reshaped Warfare," recounts the experiences of authors Raj Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff in leading the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUX), a Pentagon initiative to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley technology and military needs. The authors detail their efforts to overcome deep-seated skepticism and bureaucratic hurdles within the Pentagon, whil...

Today we review Sulmaan Wasif Khan's book, "The Struggle for Taiwan," offering a historical analysis of the complex relationship between America, China, and Taiwan. The book examines key moments and decisions shaping the current geopolitical tensions, including the Cairo Declaration, the 228 Incident, and the various Taiwan Strait crises. It explores the role of American policy shifts, Chinese nationalism, and Taiwanese self-determ...

Today, we review Jim Sciutto's "The Return of Great Powers," which examines the evolving global order following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The book analyzes the shifting relationships between the US, Russia, and China, highlighting increased military spending, reduced communication, and the breakdown of arms control agreements. Sciutto explores potential flashpoints, including the war in Ukraine, the situation in Taiwan, and the...

Today, we review Elisabeth Braw's "Goodbye Globalization," which examines the rise and fall of globalization. The book explores how globalization, initially viewed as a force for peace and prosperity, ultimately failed to address inequalities and created vulnerabilities exploited by geopolitical tensions. Braw uses numerous case studies, focusing on key players in business and politics, to illustrate the successes and failures of g...

Today, we review the book, "The Political Thought of Xi Jinping," edited by Steve Tsang and Olivia Cheung, which critically examines Xi Jinping's Thoughts. The authors argue that Xi Jinping's "proto-ideology" is in the process of becoming China's state ideology. This book analyzes the evolution and core principles of Xi Jinping's thoughts, exploring its application in areas like:

Party leadership Governance Economic management Soci...

Today, we review Atossa Araxia Abrahamian's "The Hidden Globe," which explores the shadowy world of offshore financial centers and special economic zones. The book examines how these geographically dispersed, legally ambiguous spaces facilitate wealth accumulation and evasion, often at the expense of national sovereignty and social justice. Abrahamian uses case studies, including Geneva, Singapore, and Luxembourg, to illustrate how...

Today, we are reviewing Michael Kimmage's "Collisions - Ukraine, Russia, and the West," which examines the origins of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, tracing the complex interplay of historical grievances, geopolitical maneuvering, and miscalculations by both Russia and the West. The book analyzes four key factors: Russia's enduring desire to control Ukraine, Ukraine's precarious geopolitical position, the West's inconsistent...

In today's podcast, we review "The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley" by Marietje Schaake, which examines the impact of digital disruption on democracy and explores how to rebalance technology's role in society. While technology has brought numerous benefits, Schaake argues that the unaccountable power of technology companies poses a significant threat to democratic principles, as evidenced by various examples of...