The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War
- ISBN13: 9780316008952
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
In 1905 President Teddy Roosevelt dispatched Secretary of War William Howard Taft on the largest U.S. diplomatic mission in history to Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, China, and Korea. Roosevelt’s glamorous twenty-one year old daughter Alice served as mistress of the cruise, which included senators and congressmen. On this trip, Taft concluded secret agreements in Roosevelt’s name.
In 2005, a century later, James Bradley traveled in the wake of Roosevelt’s mission and discovered what had transpired in Honolulu, Tokyo, Manila, Beijing and Seoul.
In 1905, Roosevelt was bully-confident and made secret agreements that he though would secure America’s westward push into the Pacific. Instead, he lit the long fuse on the Asian firecrackers that would singe America’s hands for a century.
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Tags: Secret, william howard taft, Empire, Imperial, Cruise, History
Why have we all believed the staged persona of this elitist raciist? Anyone who reads this and still respects Teddy is from another planet! This is a must read for anyone fascinated by the Rough Rider,
Rating: 5 / 5
The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War
Having read James Bradley’s book, “Imperial Cruise”, It came to me how reluctant the American public is to admit to the mistakes our counrty has made in the past while trying to find itself. I have always said that what we did to the Indian Nations in this country equivocates to what took place during the holocaust, the difference being that we destroyed complete cultures in the process, and in the name of “civilization”…at least the Jews have Israel. We just don’t seem to learn that not everyone desires our way of life. This book certainly proves that history is just a repitition of what has taken place in the past. Today we are essentially faced with the same conditions that were present in Roosevelt’s day….racism is still present…our desire for self service is still present and we are going down the same road that we have always seemed to take. Eisenhower said to beware of the military-industrial complex…it was there in Roosevelt’s day and it is here today….nothing seems to have changed. I love this country and I am proud to think that there are men like Mr. Bradley who are willing to put their reputation on the line so that the truth can be told. It is men like Mr. Bradley who have made this country great through his writings.
Rating: 4 / 5
The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War
I believe that this book was very good and important to foreign affairs today. However, the thoughts presented by the author may not go over well with the American right wing (despite that, they should read it as well). The author makes the point that Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy was based on arrogance and bigotry. To some extent, our foreign policy is still based on at least arrogance today. There is quite a bit of anti-American sentiment throughout the world today, however, I believe that the election of President Obama has alleviated those bad feelings to some extent. There is much here that the average American is not familiar with: 1. how we pressured Japan to open itself up at gunpoint; 2. the slaughter, torture and concentration camps that we were responsible for in the Philippines; 3. our betrayal of Korea, etc. Although not explicitly stated by the author, I believe that the foreign policy implemented by Theodore Roosevelt not only helped to cause World War II, but it probably helped to give us our terrorism problem of today. Through my travels, I can see that the rest of the world does not dislike Americans, but many detest the American government’s foreign policy (I am an American now living overseas). This book would probably make good reading for a course in foreign affairs (although I am not a historian and have never had one). At least, the subject matter would make a good discussion topic between history-minded friends. Has our arrogance and our government’s goal of unlimited corporate profits caused this problem? I would say yes, but that’s open to discussion. I await the author’s next book with anticipation. Maybe he can pursue this idea further. I would also recommend that President Obama read this book. Although, I hope and assume that he already understands the topic.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War
The author did thorough research (7 days per week for 6 years, travelling throughout Hawaii and Asia) to gather the information in this book.
The key year here was 1905. Mr. Bradley read all of Theodore Roosevelt’s correspondences and studied records of the daily White House meetings for 1905. As unpalatable as this material is, the information is available for public scrutiny and should not be dismissed. There are lessons for the U.S. today in terms of including congress in foreign policy decisions.
After reading many of the critics of this book and their one star
ratings, it is apparent that the material in this book was not written to make the author popular.
There are many who wish that James Bradley had not written this expose. Mr. Bradley exposes Theodore Roosevelt’s bungled American policies in Asia. It is understandable why it is very difficult for those who hold Theodore Roosevelt as an icon.
The fact is that Roosevelt had secret dealings with the Japanese which eventually led to World War II.
This book should be embraced as an eye-opener for American citizens who wonder why other countries might distrust the U.S. and U.S. foreign policy.
I wish that Mr. Bradley had spent more time discussing the history of the U.S. failed attempt at nation building in the Philippines.
The water-boarding of Filipinos makes the phrase “Those that do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”
Rating: 5 / 5
The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War
A must read for all Americans–will give them a clear view of how we have treated people of the world–we are still the greatest country in the world, but we do have a tainted past–I was amazed at how many educated people had the beliefs about race that they did–not a pretty picture–I live in the city where the author’s father went to high school and was at the dedication of the monument in his honor for being one of the soldiers who raised the flag on Iwo Jima.
An easy read with a “between the eyes hit” on a lot of history we have never known or at least found in one place. Bravo to the author for having written this book. Teachers in high school and college should make this required reading.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War