Kennedy Books

Guns or Butter is an age old un-attributed quote, but in "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" author Paul Kennedy seeks to explore that maxim on a massive scale from 1500 to 2000. Equally massive is the resulting tome which seeks to explore the connection between economic power and military power and the resultant effect upon the growth, maintenance, or decline of a nation's power. In Kennedy's hypothesis military and economic power go hand in hand, making or breaking a nation's ability to project power and in the few instances to become Great Powers. Kennedy analyses what it is that takes a nation to the status of Great Power and, ultimately, what is their undoing. Kennedy sees a direct correlation between Great Powers who overextend themselves, politically, militarily or economically and in some cases both, and the resultant decline in cases of over-reach or in the face of serious threats they may have underestimated. When it comes to Great Power status Kennedy is more concerned with dimensions of power than the spatial dimensions or status dimensions sometimes used to define Great Power status.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" was a fascinating read, especially to help better understand some of the economic reasons for the failures of Great Powers in the 20th Century and to gain greater insight into what sometimes motivated leaders to make the choices they did. I found it difficult to put down at times as most histories on this era look strictly at the political considerations for particular courses of action rather than the economic concerns. Indeed often times it seems as though most histories are written by political scientists than by economists. Adding this book to the repertoire helps to balance that situation rather smartly, although it does beg the question of why histories incorporate so little economic information.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" is indeed the tour de force that many of the reviews heralded it as being. Economics is frequently labeled the "dismal science" but when written as well as Kennedy does, it is a gripping and engaging read. In his effort to determine if states can have guns and butter or if it is an either-or proposition the answer is resoundingly clear.

Guns or Butter is an age old un-attributed quote, but in "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" author Paul Kennedy seeks to explore that maxim on a massive scale from 1500 to 2000. Equally massive is the resulting tome which seeks to explore the connection between economic power and military power and the resultant effect upon the growth, maintenance, or decline of a nation's power. In Kennedy's hypothesis military and economic power go hand in hand, making or breaking a nation's ability to project power and in the few instances to become Great Powers. Kennedy analyses what it is that takes a nation to the status of Great Power and, ultimately, what is their undoing. Kennedy sees a direct correlation between Great Powers who overextend themselves, politically, militarily or economically and in some cases both, and the resultant decline in cases of over-reach or in the face of serious threats they may have underestimated. When it comes to Great Power status Kennedy is more concerned with dimensions of power than the spatial dimensions or status dimensions sometimes used to define Great Power status.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" was a fascinating read, especially to help better understand some of the economic reasons for the failures of Great Powers in the 20th Century and to gain greater insight into what sometimes motivated leaders to make the choices they did. I found it difficult to put down at times as most histories on this era look strictly at the political considerations for particular courses of action rather than the economic concerns. Indeed often times it seems as though most histories are written by political scientists than by economists. Adding this book to the repertoire helps to balance that situation rather smartly, although it does beg the question of why histories incorporate so little economic information.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" is indeed the tour de force that many of the reviews heralded it as being. Economics is frequently labeled the "dismal science" but when written as well as Kennedy does, it is a gripping and engaging read. In his effort to determine if states can have guns and butter or if it is an either-or proposition the answer is resoundingly clear.

Guns or Butter is an age old un-attributed quote, but in "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" author Paul Kennedy seeks to explore that maxim on a massive scale from 1500 to 2000. Equally massive is the resulting tome which seeks to explore the connection between economic power and military power and the resultant effect upon the growth, maintenance, or decline of a nation's power. In Kennedy's hypothesis military and economic power go hand in hand, making or breaking a nation's ability to project power and in the few instances to become Great Powers. Kennedy analyses what it is that takes a nation to the status of Great Power and, ultimately, what is their undoing. Kennedy sees a direct correlation between Great Powers who overextend themselves, politically, militarily or economically and in some cases both, and the resultant decline in cases of over-reach or in the face of serious threats they may have underestimated. When it comes to Great Power status Kennedy is more concerned with dimensions of power than the spatial dimensions or status dimensions sometimes used to define Great Power status.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" was a fascinating read, especially to help better understand some of the economic reasons for the failures of Great Powers in the 20th Century and to gain greater insight into what sometimes motivated leaders to make the choices they did. I found it difficult to put down at times as most histories on this era look strictly at the political considerations for particular courses of action rather than the economic concerns. Indeed often times it seems as though most histories are written by political scientists than by economists. Adding this book to the repertoire helps to balance that situation rather smartly, although it does beg the question of why histories incorporate so little economic information.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" is indeed the tour de force that many of the reviews heralded it as being. Economics is frequently labeled the "dismal science" but when written as well as Kennedy does, it is a gripping and engaging read. In his effort to determine if states can have guns and butter or if it is an either-or proposition the answer is resoundingly clear.

Guns or Butter is an age old un-attributed quote, but in "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" author Paul Kennedy seeks to explore that maxim on a massive scale from 1500 to 2000. Equally massive is the resulting tome which seeks to explore the connection between economic power and military power and the resultant effect upon the growth, maintenance, or decline of a nation's power. In Kennedy's hypothesis military and economic power go hand in hand, making or breaking a nation's ability to project power and in the few instances to become Great Powers. Kennedy analyses what it is that takes a nation to the status of Great Power and, ultimately, what is their undoing. Kennedy sees a direct correlation between Great Powers who overextend themselves, politically, militarily or economically and in some cases both, and the resultant decline in cases of over-reach or in the face of serious threats they may have underestimated. When it comes to Great Power status Kennedy is more concerned with dimensions of power than the spatial dimensions or status dimensions sometimes used to define Great Power status.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" was a fascinating read, especially to help better understand some of the economic reasons for the failures of Great Powers in the 20th Century and to gain greater insight into what sometimes motivated leaders to make the choices they did. I found it difficult to put down at times as most histories on this era look strictly at the political considerations for particular courses of action rather than the economic concerns. Indeed often times it seems as though most histories are written by political scientists than by economists. Adding this book to the repertoire helps to balance that situation rather smartly, although it does beg the question of why histories incorporate so little economic information.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" is indeed the tour de force that many of the reviews heralded it as being. Economics is frequently labeled the "dismal science" but when written as well as Kennedy does, it is a gripping and engaging read. In his effort to determine if states can have guns and butter or if it is an either-or proposition the answer is resoundingly clear.

Guns or Butter is an age old un-attributed quote, but in "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" author Paul Kennedy seeks to explore that maxim on a massive scale from 1500 to 2000. Equally massive is the resulting tome which seeks to explore the connection between economic power and military power and the resultant effect upon the growth, maintenance, or decline of a nation's power. In Kennedy's hypothesis military and economic power go hand in hand, making or breaking a nation's ability to project power and in the few instances to become Great Powers. Kennedy analyses what it is that takes a nation to the status of Great Power and, ultimately, what is their undoing. Kennedy sees a direct correlation between Great Powers who overextend themselves, politically, militarily or economically and in some cases both, and the resultant decline in cases of over-reach or in the face of serious threats they may have underestimated. When it comes to Great Power status Kennedy is more concerned with dimensions of power than the spatial dimensions or status dimensions sometimes used to define Great Power status.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" was a fascinating read, especially to help better understand some of the economic reasons for the failures of Great Powers in the 20th Century and to gain greater insight into what sometimes motivated leaders to make the choices they did. I found it difficult to put down at times as most histories on this era look strictly at the political considerations for particular courses of action rather than the economic concerns. Indeed often times it seems as though most histories are written by political scientists than by economists. Adding this book to the repertoire helps to balance that situation rather smartly, although it does beg the question of why histories incorporate so little economic information.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" is indeed the tour de force that many of the reviews heralded it as being. Economics is frequently labeled the "dismal science" but when written as well as Kennedy does, it is a gripping and engaging read. In his effort to determine if states can have guns and butter or if it is an either-or proposition the answer is resoundingly clear.

I first read this book about 20-25 years ago. It was a watershed moment for me to read how Robert Kennedy sought consensus for his views, and how he ran up against those who didn't care to be a force for change. One can feel through the pages (as I did) how RFK was continuously haunted by the death of his brother only one year prior to these interviews. This was the text that prompted me to participate in our democracy. As a young man, it also showed me how I could get more of what I wanted by seeking support for my own vision.

Judie Mills does an extraordinary job of presenting Robert Kennedy, his life and the issues he faced as a politician to a young audience. She gives an excellent, in-depth accounting of the man's early life, the experiences that shaped his character as a man. We see young Bobby, at age 4, hurling himself into the ocean, determined to teach himself how to swim. That experience follows him throughout his life and it is that single determined approach he appears to take on most stands. As an undergraduate, he doggedly pursues a place on the football field and as an adult, he doggedly pursues Teamsters and Mafiosi. In reading of his interrogation of the men he regarded as "foes," one can almost imagine a little Bobby superimposed on the face of the future Attorney General, flinging himself headlong into the ocean determined to swim. And swim he does in the face of the Rackets Committee (aka "Get [Jimmy]Hoffa Squad.")

In 1965, Robert Kennedy, then a Senator undertakes another grueling challenge. A self admitted acrophobe, he along with Mt. Everestt climbers Barry Prather and Jim Whittaker scale Mt. Kennedy, a previously unscaled Canadian Mountain. One tracks his progress as he makes his way up that mountain, only to emerge victorious on March 27, 1965. The boy who taught himself to swim was revisited in the man who climbed that mountain.

Robert Kennedy was my very first hero as a child and this is a book I would have LOVED! (I STILL have my 1968 copies of "Life" in re the assassination). His work with civil rights issues, Farmworkers, minorities and other disenfranchised persons certainly makes for interesting reading. This book does him a big service by portraying him in a very sympathetic light. Readers do come away with the feeling that the man was sincere in his efforts and the question is always left hanging -- what would the outcome of this world today be had this man lived to be elected president in 1968?

the texts are very complete, but a little bit boring.the best part were the photos! there are some very rare ones.
not buy it if you are not interessed in RFK.

Both of my children love this book. We read it before bed.They learntreasured nursery rhymes and about Jesus in a delightful way. Great christening gift!

where was this book publisher