How I Got This Way

We had no global empire before 1913 and the creation of the IRS. We are taxed by DC to largely fund military operations we previously never engaged in, and got along much better without. Great reference book for insight on what goes on around the world that never shows up in the US media. This book is a look from the inside, from someone that served in our armed forces.

This book is an important read for anyone wondering how simplistic foreign policy can spell trouble for the United States. Johnson makes a convincing case for many of the costs brought home by American imperialism in East Asia, and lays out causal logic for each one. His strength really comes out in the Okinawa section as Japan has been his long time focus of study. These sections are especially deep in their factual support and the context he is able to build behind his assertions is impressive. Some of his economic arguments breakdown when he tries to credit any and all economic malaise at home to imperialistic actions abroad. These observations are somewhat simplistic and show his lack of economic expertise. Read this book for its political and cultural depth, not the economics, and it is time well spent.

Nice book, but for the Chinese part, not detailed enough