Contents:

To create a nation -- A not quite perfect union -- A rising imperial power -- Civil War -- The new empire -- Teddy Roosevelt and the great power game -- To make the world safe for democracy -- World leadership -- Franklin Roosevelt leads the nation to war -- Origins of the Cold War -- The Korean War as a turning point -- New leaders and new arenas -- On the brink of nuclear war -- Vietnam and the lessons of great power arrogance -- The quest for detente -- The Reagan surprise-enter Gorbachev -- The new world order -- The vulcans rise-and fall -- The Obama promise -- Last thoughts.