Belligerents, Brinkmanship, and the Big Stick: A Historical Encyclopedia of American Diplomatic Concepts

(Hardback)

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Description

This encyclopedia offers authoritative coverage of the concepts, traditions, events, and individuals that shaped United States' foreign relations from the American Revolution to the present. Belligerents, Brinkmanship, and the Big Stick: A Historical Encyclopedia of American Diplomatic Concepts is the first comprehensive encyclopedic work to focus specifically on America's extraordinary history of political engagement with the world. With hundreds of alphabetically organized entries and a rich collection of primary sources, it offers a unique way of understanding the centrality of diplomacy and the role of foreign relations throughout U.S. history. The encyclopedia is divided into five chronological sections, each containing a brief introduction, topical entries, biographical portraits, and representative documents. It is designed to help readers gain a deeper understanding of both general ideas as well as specific policies like the Monroe Doctrine, the Open Door Policy, and Shuttle Diplomacy. By examining seminal events, important ideas, and individual contributions in the context of U.S. history, the encyclopedia reveals the underlying traditions and motivations of American foreign policy as it has evolved over time.

Reviews

This book should be in all libraries that have a historical focus and particularly those that focus on governments and foreign policy. * ARBAonline *
This dictionary is suitable for all levels and libraries * Library Journal *
College-level libraries strong in political science history will find this a key acquisition, packing in excerpts from key foreign policy documents, treaties, statements and more. * Midwest Book Review *
The volume will interest a variety of readers: from students and educators to politics and history enthusiasts. * Reference & Research Book News *
Dobson's comprehensive work uses a chronological structure, covering the years since 1776 in five parts. Each of these sections begins with an overview of American diplomacy during that era. Bolded key concepts refer readers to the more in-depth alphabetically arranged entries that follow, each of which includes meticulous citing of footnotes and sources. Biographies of important period diplomats conclude each section. Primary sources are emphasized throughout, with excerpts from, or the full text of, speeches and important documents, such as a letter from William Seward to Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the Civil War, Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, and the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, appearing in text boxes. Back matter includes a detailed chronology with entry titles bolded for easy access. Black-and-white photos and illustrations offer additional material. Elegant organization makes Belligerents an ideal reference work; Dobson's clear explanations of big-picture concepts and how they relate to specific situations in American history make this a readable and useful resource. * School Library Journal *
Using a chronological framework, the author has produced a reference source that enables a user to comprehend how U.S. foreign policy changed over time. . . . The author's experiences at home and abroad have given him a broader perspective than many, and his teaching skills enable him to write for an audience that knows some things but would like to learn more about why Americans think and behave as they do regarding other cultures. Some aspects of U.S. foreign policy are rooted in values; others are based on pragmatism. This book helps serious readers sort that out and is recommended for academic libraries and large public library collections. Also available as an e-book. * Booklist *
This reference book also could serve as a handy supplemental text for political science classes covering American foreign relations. . . . Recommended. Lower- and upper-level undergraduates; general readers. * Choice *

Author Bio

John Dobson, PhD, is professor emeritus of history at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, where he also served as dean of the College of Arts and Science. His published works include ABC-CLIO's Bulls, Bears, Boom, and Bust: A Historical Encyclopedia of American Business Concepts.