Table of Contents
Praise for Zbigniew BrzezinskisThe Choice
[The Choice] takes readers on a tour dhorizon of U.S. foreign policy, discusses the inevitable contradictions and tensions that enmesh a democratic society that is also a global hegemon, criticizes the Bush administration, and articulates his own vision of the way forwardall in a little over 200 pages. Even those who do not accept Brzezinskis critique of the Bush administration will admire the sagacity of his views; for Democrats attempting to assemble a serious and thoughtful alternative to Bushs foreign policy, The Choice is indispensable.
Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs
For those troubled by President Bushs war on terrorism approach to national security, the flag of the opposition has finally and firmly been planted. Together, this new book by the distinguished scholar-diplomat and the Bush administrations 2002 national security strategy define the parameters of the establishment debate on national security.... His critique of the Bush administrations approach is understated but hard-hitting, and it is effective.
G. John Ikenberry, The New York Times
No one understands the interdependence of power and principle better than Zbigniew Brzezinski. The Choice is an indisputable road map to the current geopolitical situation, and a guide on how America must conduct herself to ensure peace and stability in the future.
Jimmy Carter
Zbigniew Brzezinski makes a brilliant case for multilateralism. His customary clarity of thought and breadth of vision is on dazzling display. The Choice shows why we must strive to build a global community of shared interest, and how the United States can help lead that effort.
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General
Given his recent acuity, Brzezinskis new book, The Choice, deserves careful attention.... Brzezinski emerges from the carnage and confusion of Iraq with an enhanced role as one of the nations most important voices on foreign policy. That he has been saying pretty much the same thing for 30 years only makes his message more powerful.
The Washington Post Book World
The global cultural transformation led by the United States could become a lonely and destabilizing crusade without the experienced and creative counsel imparted to our foreign policy leadership by Zbigniew Brzezinksi. I have listened to him, carefully, for twenty-five years.
Senator Richard G. Lugar, Chairman, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
The Choice is... a nuanced expression of the conventional wisdom among American foreign policy experts.
The New York Review of Books
Brzezinski, a former national security adviser, is no naive multilateralist and cannot be attacked on those grounds.... Mr. Brzezinski gives the reader as good a tour dhorizon of the worlds problems as is possible in a handful of pages.... For those who still think that foreign policy doesnt matter anymore or wish the Cold War had never ended, this is a most useful cor rective.... The author takes no easy, partisan cheap shots at the Bush administration.... In the furor over the war on Iraq (was it justified?), the author gets back to what the debate should be about. The polemicists on both sides of this argument would be well advised to heed Mr. Brzezinski. The betting, of course, is that wont happen, but it wont be the authors fault if they are sucked into a debate that is often pointless, or involves some agenda other than the nations well-being.
Washington Times
Brzezinski has considered carefully the arguments of the anti-globalizers, and while he may differ fundamentally from them on the desirability of American power, he acknowledges that a shrinking, aging western population with a lions share of the worlds wealth fuels the bitterness and resentment of developing countries.... A pragmatic security requires global justice agenda that might just galvanise electorates on both sides of the Atlantic, and kick the ongoing debates of the Global Justice Movement on global governance, trade, aid and debt, back on to the mainstream agenda.
The Guardian (London)
The Choice presents compelling arguments for transition to a network of alliances as a way to preserve American leadership, stabilize the global Balkans, avoid a clash of civilizations and preserve stable balance in the Far East. It is unique in its clarity and grasp of our strategic alternatives. This is the right book for this moment in world history.
Frank Carlucci, former Secretary of Defense and Deputy Director of the CIA
In a fascinating and important analysis of Americas global strategy, Brzezinski makes a compelling case for leadership through partnership and reminds us that inclusiveness, generosity and patience are essential elements of national security. Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common
Foreign and Security Policy (EU)
In The Choice, Brzezinski recommends that the United States try to reclaim its former identity as a status quo power and return to a policy of leadership rather than of domination over the rest of the world. With this book, he is refashioning himself as a realpolitik critic of the Bush Administration, a position that could help the cause of peace.
The Nation
Useful and important.... Brzezinski prescribes U.S. policy toward Europe, the Middle East, the Islamic world and Asia; he analyzes globalization, U.S. cultural imperialism, immigration reform and multiculturalism.... Brzezinski builds on his experience to persuade policy-makers and citizens alike to grapple with the complex opportunities and perils we face. The Choice provides clarity and synthesis while avoiding Manichaean simplification (youre with us or against us) and jingoism.
Raleigh News & Observer
Perhaps even the most stubborn U.S. unilateralists would think twice if they read carefully the arguments put forward by Professor Brzezinski in this indispensable book. Both experts and laymen interested in crucial matters of American foreign policy will find The Choice illuminating reading.
Ernesto Zedillo, Director of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, and former president of Mexico
With this book, [Brzezinski] is refashioning himself as a realpolitik critic of the Bush Administration, a position that could help the cause of peace.
The Nation
The Choice is a brilliantly argued, succinct yet penetrating analysis of contemporary global politics and the American role in it. Brzezinski convincingly shows that American security is inseparable from global security and can only be achieved by the United States providing constructive leadership in the cooperative creation of world order. Our political leaders need to read this book and absorb its wise advice.
Samuel P. Huntington
This latest of high-concept books on global politics by Jimmy Carters national security advisor will obtain peak attention in foreign policy and media circles as Brzezinskis pronouncement on American strategy in a war-on-terror world.... For those disconcerted by current events, Brzezinskis proposals represent an alternative to George W. Bushs weltanshauung.
Booklist
A brilliant analysis of the state of global politics with sound advice for Americans and Americas European allies giving the transatlantic relationship and US leadership a new orientation and relevance in a turbulent world.
Karl Kaiser, German Council on Foreign Relations, Berlin
