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Greed, Power, and the Conflicts That Made Our Greatest Presidents
It's striking how many of the presidents Americans venerate, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, to name a few, oversaw some of the republic's bloodiest years. Perhaps it's because they looked out for important political causes. Or maybe they just looked out for themselves. This revealing and entertaining book puts some of America's greatest leaders under the microscope, showing how their calls for war, usually remembered as brave and noble, were in fact selfish and convenient. In every case, our presidents chose personal gain over national interest while loudly evoking justice and freedom. The result is an eye-opening retelling of American history, and a call for reforms that may make the future better. In this book, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith show that even leaders who proclaim the loftiest of intentions have concerns and motives that are far less pure than we might like. You'll never look at politics the same way again.
George Washington's wars in pursuit of life, liberty and...avarice! -- Congress's War of 1812 : partisanship starts at the water's edge -- Abraham Lincoln and the pursuit of ambition! -- Roosevelt's vanity : avoiding war for domestic gain -- LBJ's defeat by debit card, W's victory by credit card -- John Kennedy and Barack Obama : two paths of "peace" -- Conclusion: Fixing flaws.
Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
POLITICAL SCIENCE / Government / Executive Branch
POLITICAL SCIENCE / Government / National