Drift

The Unmooring of American Military Power

De: Rachel Maddow

Narrado por: Rachel Maddow

The #1 New York Times bestseller that charts America’s dangerous drift into a state of perpetual war. "One of my favorite ideas is, never to keep an unnecessary soldier," Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1792. Neither Jefferson nor the other Found­ers could ever have envisioned the modern national security state, with its tens of thousands of "privateers"; its bloated Department of Homeland Security; its rust­ing nuclear weapons, ill-maintained and difficult to dismantle; and its strange fascination with an unproven counterinsurgency doctrine.

Written with bracing wit and intelligence, Rachel Maddow's Drift argues that we've drifted away from America's original ideals and become a nation weirdly at peace with perpetual war, with all the financial and human costs that entails. To understand how we've arrived at such a dangerous place, Maddow takes us from the Vietnam War to today's war in Afghanistan, along the way exploring the disturbing rise of executive authority, the gradual outsourcing of our war-making capabilities to private companies, the plummeting percentage of American families whose children fight our constant wars for us, and even the changing fortunes of G.I. Joe. She offers up a fresh, unsparing appraisal of Reagan's radical presidency. Ultimately, she shows us just how much we stand to lose by allowing the priorities of the national security state to overpower our political discourse.

Sensible yet provocative, dead serious yet seri­ously funny, Drift will reinvigorate a "loud and jangly" political debate about how, when, and where to apply America's strength and power--and who gets to make those decisions.

©2012 Rachel Maddow (P)2012 Random House

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Thank Ms. Maddow for picking this and every other fight that Drift provokes. It will be a smarter public debate than the kinds we're used to." (Janet Maslin, New York Times)

"Maddow’s distinctive voice in Drift is highly intelligent, often incredulous and intermittently and humorously profane...Her thesis, which is passionately and effectively articulated, remind[s] us of how far we have drifted from linking the sacrifices of our armed forces around the world to the citizens at home they so selflessly serve… Maddow…[has] provided readers with a timely and perhaps necessary provocation to examine the far-reaching consequences of the American way of war." (Gordon M. Goldstein, Washington Post)

"Crosses partisan lines and deals with issues that deserve a healthy debate...A compelling, intelligent read filled with Maddow's trademark wit." (Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times)

Every American should listen to this book.

Would you listen to Drift again? Why?

Yes. It underscores a problem that few in our political class will even recognize, much less address with any courage. The most important factor of Maddow's thesis is that the problem can be fixed--we have the means, we just need the political will. It is a stark, deliberate accusation that lands on both sides of the aisle of Congress.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Colin Powell.

Have you listened to any of Rachel Maddow’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This long form suits Rachel Maddow's prose as well as the short form of her television and radio shows.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

There are so many, it's hard to choose. The most important piece is that in the past we have attempted with some success to guard against the unmoored

Any additional comments?

Every American who cares about the men and women of our military, the position of our country in the world, and foreign policy in general should read this book.

Great Book

Would you listen to Drift again? Why?

Yes to absorbe even more

What other book might you compare Drift to and why?

none

What about Rachel Maddow’s performance did you like?

thing compares

Any additional comments?

best non fiction I have read in a long time

Well researched and well written

If you could sum up Drift in three words, what would they be?

Enlightening. Shocking. Smart.

What about Rachel Maddow’s performance did you like?

The enthusiasm she shows in front of the camera also comes across in the book.

Any additional comments?

I'm in awe of Rachel Maddow's ability to synthesize so much complex information and communicate it in an easy-to-understand way. I was a kid during Iran-Contra, and never really understood what it was about, and now I do!

Elegant, fluid, funny, scary.....

Often political books are dry, pushing some agenda, this one balances decades of political manipulation into a very addictive book. I am so please Rachel narrated it, that was another plus. Well done Rachel, more please!

I Love RM

If you have not been paying attention attention to currents events in the past several decades, this is a non-partisan catch-up that will leave you wondering how you could have missed so much. And even if you have been paying attention, you still might wonder the same thing. Rm gives us the salient information without ever getting lost in partisan minutia.

Excellently narrated by RM. Listening to her read is like... well, like listening to RM herself.

Must-read nonfiction for every American

If you could sum up Drift in three words, what would they be?

Engaging. Informative. Important.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ronald Regan was a complicated man, and after reading this book, I feel like I understand him much better. This part of American history is one that none of my college or high school classes covered at all, except perhaps for the mythical version of Regan. I doubt any of my friends in their 20s or 30s could tell you much about the Iran-Contra scandal or even much about the first Gulf War. And that includes my friends and family members in the military. This book should be assigned reading for all Americans, even if you disagree with Maddow's conclusions.

Awesome!

This book was well-researched and comprehensive. An important read for anyone interested in the politics of going to war.

Having it read by the author added another dimension. Fans of her show on MSNBC will love this book!

Sometimes, she's a little snarky, which I personally like, but I can see how others may not appreciate it as much.

Brilliant, clear, and generous

Would you consider the audio edition of Drift to be better than the print version?

For me it is much more enjoyable to hear Ms Maddow read her own words. After all, until printed books everything was passed on orally.

What did you like best about this story?

Rachel's moral compass combined with her refreshingly non-cynical, non-sectarian point of view.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many to list.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too personal toi answer

Any additional comments?

I am so very happy for Rachel's success. I can't imagine any more deserving "yung'un" I am sure Molly Ivins is cheering wildly from her celestial throne "Go Girl!" as even us men are doing--for both of these beautiful and couragous honeys. (In the best sense of the term)

What every American should know and understand

If you could sum up Drift in three words, what would they be?

Accurate
Timely
Real History

What was one of the most memorable moments of Drift?

Whole book is necessary for Americans to comprehend.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not relevant question for this book in my mind.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I almost achieved it.

Compelling Breakdown Of US Military Situation

Rachel Maddow's thoroughly researched and well explained history of the intended use and direction of our military and how we arrived where we are today is full of well cited statistics and stories of how military grew and became detached from its intended use.

More so it focuses on how soldiers are left isolated and apart from the the civilian population and how we came to a time when we enacted massive tax cuts while fighting two wars. Can you imagine such a thing happening during WWII?

Rachel's delivery is succinct, informative, and entertaining. I did not want to put it down while also wishing a lot of it wasn't true.

Might be the best book I've read this year.