The Asian American Century

This book is a superb introduction to a complex and broad topic. Contrary to the review in the Library Journal, I do not find the first chapter on the history of US strategy in Asia to be either too simple or too advanced. It has a lot for both the naive and sophisticated reader. And contrary to the other reader reviews, I found the book very balanced, neither condemning nor condoning all the US actions in the region, but explaining their complex evolution.

-- A Readable Well-Thought Perspective --I enjoyed reading Cohen's perspective on Asian-American realtionships; it includes many interesting insights on the historial, current and potential future directions between the the U.S. and Asia. Cohen's extensive dicsussion of U.S.-Japan U.S.-China and U.S.-Korea history helps put todays' world events into perspective. Americans DO tend to view the world through a Eurocentric lens; this books shows a different path. Cohen's (sociological) insights into cultural impacts and exchanges are top notch. This book is a well written, deceivingly light read that packs in many complex ideas into a very readable package. ...and the restaurant tips aren't bad either. ;) Cheers, Patrick