The Shield and the Cloak: The Security of the Commons($20.50Value)

Description

Gary Hart has long been one of the nation's foremost experts on national security, combining a deep knowledge of national security policy with first-hand experience of the political realities that influence how America safeguards itself and its interests. In his new book, Hart outlines the fundamental changes with which America must grapple when confronting the current terrorist threat--a threat with no state and no geographic home-base and thus no real target for the world's largest and most sophisticated military force. Hart argues for a security of the commons, emphasizing that the new security will require a shield for the homeland as well as a cloak of non-military security, including security of income, community, environment, and energy. "A comprehensive, clear-eyed polemic on how this nation--along with the rest of the world, not in spite of it--should provide security for its people. He makes a concise, articulate argument, minus the shrillness of much of today's discourse, that he believes it is imperative that we provide that security and that the manner in which the current crop of powers-that-be are going about it is wrongheaded."-- The Denver Post "Hart brings excellent credentials to the subject of security policy. This book's value lies in its stylistic clarity and conceptual breadth, qualities that make it a likely contender in forthcoming political debate. Hart's recommendations nicely balance the notion of security as an aggregate of domestic policies with specific recommendations to strengthen military, diplomatic, and intelligence capabilities. This book is likely to get serious attention. Recommended for all public and academic libraries."-- Library Journal " The Shield and the Cloak is about big ideas--and a reminder that they matter. Experts and common citizens alike would be well served to read this book closely and heed Hart's core message and his example."-- The Washington Monthly "An accessible and stimulating read for those interested in national security, politics and terrorism."-- Publishers Weekly "A public intellectual of the first rank."-- Des Moines Register "With the new threats of this new century, a fresh approach to security is needed. In this book, Gary Hart provides one. Our great task is to understand the complexities of today's global chessboard and build a commonwealth for security that focuses on more than unilateral military action. Hart's book is crisp, well-informed, readable, and persuasive. All who care about the security of our nation, or our kids' nation, should read it."--Walter Isaacson, President & CEO, The Aspen Institute "No one seriously interested in the full spectrum of national security thinking can afford to miss this book. Hart saw the changing security environment before 9-11, and has thought as much about it since as anyone in the country. This book is his unique contribution."--Charles G. Boyd, General USAF (RET), Executive Director, U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century "Three decades of intense study of America's national security are reflected in this thoughtful volume. Hart has always been an original thinker and his rejection of the dogmas of the past is both provocative and insightful. His proposals for a new view of security for our nation will hopefully garner the attention of those who are responsible for America's security."--Warren B. Rudman, U.S. Senator from N.H. (Rep.) "Must-reading not just for Democrats, but for any American who is struggling to make sense of today's global challenges."-- The Washington Monthly Gary Hart represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 1975 to 1987. He is the author of seventeen books, has taught at Yale, and lectured at the University of California and Oxford University, where he earned a doctor of philosophy degree in politics in 2001. As co-chair of the U.S. Commission on National Security for the 21st Century, he was credited with forecasting a 9/11-type attack. He resides with his family in Kittredge, Colorado. In The Shield and the Cloak: The Security of the Commons (Oxford Univ., $22) former Democratic presidential candidate and senator Gary Hart defines American security broadly. It's not just protecting the United States from the kind of spectacular terrorist attacks warned about by the commission he co-chaired before 9/11; it's also a matter of ensuring trust between citizens and government. Hart roundly criticizes the Bush administration for misleading the public about the Iraq War. "The only issue for history," he writes, "is whether we waged preventive war unnecessarily based on staggeringly wrong factual mistakes or whether our nation's leaders were guilty of massive mendacity." He also argues that the doctrine of preemptive war is unprincipled. The world has many dangerous dictators, and we cannot invade the countries of them all. By "reserving to itself the right to determine when, where, and under what conditions it will invade other countries," Hart contends