The Sword and the Dollar: Imperialism, Revolution, and the Arms Race

by Michael Parenti

To many, the foreign policy directives of the United States seem bewildering and sometimes inharmonious with its domestic political values. Why does the U.S. seem to support foreign dictators? Why has... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312011679
• ISBN13: 9780312011673
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

fantastic analysis

Clear, documented, factual. Parenti has produced a magnificent gem. As relevant today as when it was first written.

An easy to read truth about imperialistic America

Some will say this book is too out of date (which it is) and that Chomsky, Zinn, Brecher, and so forth give more descriptive analysis of what this book speaks of, and they do, in a much more "dry" manner. The magic of this book is that with a little bit of curiosity, a 16 year old could ingest the information quite easily. Parenti effectively provides the reader with a description of how capitalism works, why America has imperialistic elements, why corporate predators feed off of the third world, how clandestine operations work in conjunction with big business, and the outcome derived by multi-national corporations in the third world. The second portion of the book gives a conclusive summary of what the myths are of the then-Cold War, and what the intentions of the Arms race really are. A great book for the novice-leftist who wants to get a good start on what the truth really is and what myths our good friends at the top of the hierarchy provide us.

A superb but, by now, dated book which needs to be revised

Contrary to a previous reviewer, this is not an objective book, in part, because "objectivity" does not exist; but also because Parenti clearly and honestly presents a point of view. However, the book is an excellent examination of the interrelationship between U.S. economic and military policy, specifically within the mythology of the Cold War. It is this Cold War focus which now dates the book. While its underlying premises are as valid today as in 1988, they should be placed within the context of Post Cold War economic globalism.

A must for everyone interested in truth rather than hype.

I came to know this book and Michael Parenti thru another great writer, Noam Chomsky. I recommend "Make-believe Media" and this book to anyone who has open mind and is seeking a fresh view of lookin at World. Originally from MiddleEast, I did apprecite the objectiveness of his writings.