Play by the Rules: The Short Story of America's Leadership: From Hiroshima to COVID-19

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Michael Pembroke

Play by the Rules

The Short Story of America's Leadership: From Hiroshima to COVID-19

Michael Pembroke

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English

Hardie Grant Books
05 August 2020

History; History of the Americas; Geopolitics; International law

In Play by the Rules, acclaimed writer and historian Michael Pembroke offers a fresh take on the USA's vast influence and asks whether it is still a force for good.

In the heady days after 1945, the authority of the United States was unrivalled. But 75 years later, its influence has already diminished. The world has now entered a post-American era defined by the rise of Asia and the return of China, as much as by the decline of the United States.

This book is a short history of that decline; how high standards and treasured principles were ignored; how idealism was replaced by hubris and moral compromise; and how adherence to the rule of law became selective. It is also a look into the future - a future dominated by greater Asia and China in particular. We are in the midst of the third great power shift in modern history - from Europe to America to Asia.

Praise for Michael Pembroke and Korea: Where the American Century Began: "Started to read and just could not stop. Maddening, painful... perceptive and compelling... often heart-rending, sometimes downright terrifying... this richly-informed study amply establishes its thesis that 'the permanent phenomenon' of American global militarism has its origin in the Korean conflict." - Noam Chomsky

"I read it in one go on a plane journey - fascinated, educated, appalled, amazed and gripped. I take my hat off to the richness of the research... I came away from reading this book in equal parts full of admiration for the book itself and appalled by the story it tells." - A C Grayling

By: Michael Pembroke
Imprint: Hardie Grant Books
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm,
ISBN: 9781743796528
ISBN 10: 1743796528
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 05 August 2020
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Michael Pembroke is a writer, historian, naturalist and the author of the acclaimed historical biography Arthur Phillip - Sailor, Mercenary, Governor, Spy (2013), which was short-listed for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards and runner-up in the National Maritime Museum history award. And his most recent book Korea: Where the American Century Began described as 'beautifully written' by A.C. Grayling and 'perceptive and compelling' by Noam Chomsky. Pembroke was educated at the Universities of Sydney and Cambridge, is the son and the father of army officers, and has lived and travelled extensively throughout the world, including in East Asia. He has been a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales between 2010 and 2020.

Reviews for Play by the Rules: The Short Story of America's Leadership: From Hiroshima to COVID-19

Praise for Michael Pembroke and Korea: Where the American Century Began: 'Started to read and just could not stop - Maddening, painful...Perceptive and compelling - often heart-rending, sometimes downright terrifying - this richly informed study amply establishes its thesis that the 'permanent phenomenon' of American global militarism has its origin in the Korean conflict.' - Noam Chomsky ''I read it in one go on a plane journey - fascinated, educated, appalled, amazed, and gripped. I take my hat off to the richness of the research ... I came away from reading the book in equal parts full of admiration for the book itself, and appalled by the story it tells.' - A.C. Grayling