A controversial and timely exploration of the dark side of American idealism -- and its potentially dangerous consequences for the world. In this thoughtful critique of America's role in the world, Lieven contends that US foreign policy since 9/11 has been shaped by the special character of its national identity, which embraces two contradictory features. The first, a civic nationalism or 'creed' which espouses liberty and democracy, sometimes irrespective of the needs and desires of others. The other feature, Jacksonian nationalism, has its roots in the defensive White America, and is fed by a profound pessimism and a sense of personal, social and religious defeat. Lieven examines how these two opposing impulses have played out in recent US policy and suggests that, in the Middle East in particular, the uneasy combination of policies has gravely undermined US credibility and complicated the war against terrorism. Drawing comparisons with earlier European models, Lieven offers powerful insights into alarming elements of the American psyche and their disturbing implications for the coming century. This hard-hitting study directs a spotlight on the American political soul and on the curious mixture of chauvinism and idealism that has been exploited by the Bush administration.

美国乔治城大学卡塔尔分校的国际政治学教授、“新美国基金会”高级研究员，研究领域为美国全球战略和反恐战争。他在剑桥大学获得历史学学士学位和政治科学博士学位。在大学任教之前，利文是英国《金融时报》、《泰晤士报》和英国广播公司的著名驻外记者，“欧威尔奖”获得者。2000—2005年，利文在华盛顿卡耐基和平基金会担任高级研究员。2007—2014年，利文任伦敦大学战争学院战争学教授。利文教授著述颇丰，主要著作有：《巴基斯坦：苦难国家》、《车臣：俄罗斯帝国的墓碑》、《乌克兰与俄罗斯：竞争的兄弟》和《巴尔干革命》。