Decisions and Dilemmas: Case Studies in Presidential Foreign Policy Making Since 1945

By Robert A. Strong

Book Overview

This book's unique combination of case studies and commentaries provides the basis for a systematic discussion of the role of individual leaders and complex institutions in U.S. foreign policy making. The case studies present routine and urgent, controversial and consensus-driven decisions in nine presidential administrations--"from Harry Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan in 1945, to George W. Bush's responses to international terrorism in the wake of 9/11. Each chapter includes essential background information, a chronology of events, and primary source documents. Through all these elements, even students with little or no background in history will gain a new understanding of how presidents, institutions, and issues all shape American foreign policy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765615789
• ISBN13: 9780765615787
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Overview of specific Foriegn Policy decisions.

The book gives good insights and observations into specific foreign policy decisions from World War II to the present. It is an enjoyable read, and the book gives specific insights into which factors were most important in any given decision. Each case study is valuable for some reason, and they clearly explain events you may have heard about but do not really understand. The only drawback, it tends to be a little too much like a textbook at times, but why not Bob Strong is a professor.