Beyond the Age of Innocence: Rebuilding Trust Between America and the World

Any concerned about America's changing relations with world nations should take a look at BEYOND THE AGE OF INNOCENCE: A WORLDLY VIEW OF AMERICA. Mahbubani expresses anguish over the deepening distrust and resentment of this country: he's a leading Asian diplomat who gets to observe this first-hand. He chides this nation on its indifference to its decisions on others - and advocates recognizing and alleviating the growing gap between America and the rest of the world - and shows how. It's his ability to point out alternative directions and how to reach them which makes BEYOND THE AGE OF INNOCENCE a special recommendation. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

I read this book while traveling in Southeast Asia - and found Mahbubani's observations well articulated and compelling. Like Mahbubani, it breaks my heart that America's credibility and reputation is in free fall. He asserts that many world citizens still embrace American ideals - but are deeply troubled by our actions. We are violating the very rules / guidelines that we originally crafted to ensure a safe and equitable world order. Mahbubani maintains that America must partner with moderate Muslim countries so that the whole world can unite against extremism. I returned home and have given copies of his book to at least 20 of my friends and colleagues. I think this book should be required reading for every American citizen.

This is a wonderful book. Kishore has achieved a crucial balance between personal experience and general observation (I relished the journey as a reader between these poles!) and between being critical and supportive (it is unfortunate one has to be applauded for such an achievement but 'dem's the breaks' in today's polarized environment!). Kishore's book beautifully articulates some generally-recognized dichotomies - for instance, the tension between individual American generosity and structural institutional implacability - and introduced me to welcome new insights. I was particularly taken with the notion of the ordinariness of American national interest in the context of superpower status and the structural disregard for external consequences - both critical insights for a prolegomena for any future reform of the American role in the world.

I don't agree with all that Kishore Mahbuhani says, but he summaries very nicely the post cold-war attitudes that have arisen as a result of US policy, the world over. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who asked, "why do they hate us?" after 9/11.

If another Rwanda happens, the world will sit on its hands and do nothing. That's exactly what representatives of the 5 permanent members of the Security Council admitted at a private meeting. Why is the world the way it is today? Kishore Mahbubani offers rare insights and some sound recommendations for American global policy after 9/11. This isn't the run of the mill, former policy insider publication that sounds out the same tired refrain. What makes this book stand out is that it is written by an outsider with deep knowledge of America, its global strategy and its dealings with the world. Mahbubani is a kind of Asian Tocqueville of American foreign policy. He peppers the book with personal anecdotes and salts it with his wide-ranging diplomatic experience. He has produced a work that isn't just aimed at the policy wonks at CFR and the other high-brow institutions (although he certainly knows them), but pitched at the average American who cares about the US and its world standing, as well as all global citizens. Thanks to Mahbubani's clear and uncluttered style of writing, we learn how America benefits and harms the world while separate chapters on America's relations with Islam and China highlight two major challenges for the sole superpower. Mahbubani speaks to all Americans honestly about the "in your face" attitude of American power, or at least one aspect of it, suggests how to better manage it and charts the way ahead for a more stable world order. Apart from the many fascinating behind the scenes diplomatic stories, this book taught me two simple truths: First, the world can be a really nasty place. Two, only America has the power to limit its nastiness. The big question is whether it will heed the message to use its power wisely, or whether it will give in to its worst instincts. Anyone who cares about the past, present and future of our world should read this honest and compelling book. And American leaders should read it if they want to restore the lustre to the city on the hill.