Empire

By James Laxer

Book Overview

A fascinating look at empires and imperialism, and the new kind of empire the United States has become. An excellent introduction for young adults.

The United States presides over the most far-flung imperial system ever established. Empire compares the American Empire to those of the past, finding that much can be learned from the fates of the British, Roman, Chinese, Incan, and Aztec empires.

James Laxer draws ominous parallels with the British who discovered too late that empire building ultimately threatens the health of democracy at home. Documenting how the American Empire works and what it means to the rest of the world, Empire asks: Does the American Empire bring stability to a troubled world? Or, like its imperial predecessors, does it impose inequality and oppression on humanity? And what happens when an empire stumbles?

" The Groundwork Guides] are excellent books, mandatory for school libraries and the increasing body of young people prepared to take ownership of the situations and problems previous generations have left them." -- Globe and Mail

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2

Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3

Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0888997078
• ISBN13: 9780888997074
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Groundwood Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 7.1"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Critique of "Empire" - Short & Sweet

Empire - Short & Sweet. Sweet because such an extensive overview has been missing and it is fun to see so much insight into the American Empire's problems. That these problems can be traced back to the heritage of "civilization" means that the faults are human. Recall that Einstein said of civilization, " ...seems like a good idea" implying that it would be nice to have an example to consider. This short book tells the story of the haves and the haveNots and their place in the history of civilizations.