America The New Imperialism: From White Settlement to World Hegemony

The invasion and occupation of Iraq have sparked considerable discussion about the nature of American imperialism, but most of it revolves around immediate concerns. This book is rooted in a classical historical approach and is a convincing and compelling analysis of the different phases of American imperialism which has now made it a global hegemon without any serious rivals on the horizon.Victor Kiernan, one of the worlds most respected historians, has used his nuanced knowledge of history, literature and politics to trace the evolution of the American Empire: accounts of relations between Indians and white settlers, readings of the work of Melville and Whitman, and analysis of the way money and politics became intertwined all find a home here.Eric Hobsbawms preface provides both an insight into his own current thoughts on American imperialism and a valuable introduction to Victor Kiernans work. Together, they shed useful light on todays urgent debates about such issues as the uses and misuses of seemingly unlimited military power, a lack of respect for international agreements, and the right to pre-emptive defense.

V.G. Kiernan is, as Edward Said observed, 'that great Scottish historian of empire'. A prolific writer, he has published work in areas ranging from Indian history to Marxist politics to Shakespeare. He lives in Edinburgh.

A Fellow of the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Eric Hobsbawm is the author of more than twenty books of history, including The Age of Revolution and The Age of Extremes. He lives in London.