Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power

by Rachel Maddow
Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power cover
Good Books rating 4.22
Politics and Current Affairs
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  • ID: 9246
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2026-01-04
  • ISBN: 9780307461001
  • Publisher: Crown
  • Published: 2012-03-27
  • Reviews: 4

Rachel Maddow's Drift is a provocative examination of how America has drifted into a state of perpetual war, moving away from its founding principles. The book delves into the historical context, from the Vietnam War to modern conflicts, and explores the rise of executive authority, the privatization of war, and the decreasing involvement of American families in military service. Maddow combines serious analysis with humor, arguing that our vast national security state has overshadowed political discourse. She highlights the dangers of this drift and calls for a reinvigorated debate about the role of military power in our society.

Reviews
The Storygraph · 2026-01-04
terrifying 4.20

This book is an intelligent and terrifying look at the American military and how it has changed since the country's founding. The audiobook version is particularly engaging, making the content accessible and thought-provoking.

The reviewer from The Storygraph describes this book as an intelligent and terrifying look at the American military and its evolution since the country's founding. They particularly enjoyed the audiobook version, which they found engaging and thought-provoking. The book provides a detailed and insightful analysis of the American military's transformation, highlighting the ways in which it has become unmoored from its original ideals. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to present complex issues in a clear and compelling manner, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the current state of American military power.

Quick quotes

    An intelligent and terrifying look at the American military and how it has changed since we first became a country.

    The audiobook was particularly engaging and thought-provoking...

    A detailed and insightful analysis of the American military's transformation...

Friends of CV Library · 2025-12-23
entertaining 4.20

This book is entertaining yet scary, examining various facets of the American Armed Forces. It discovers a drift away from original ideals.

The reviewer from Friends of CV Library finds this book both entertaining and scary. They appreciate how Rachel Maddow examines various facets of the American Armed Forces, discovering a drift away from the country's original ideals. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to present a compelling narrative that is both informative and thought-provoking. They note that the book's entertaining yet serious tone makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in American military policy.

Quick quotes

    This is an entertaining yet scary book.

    Rachel Maddow examines various facets of the American Armed Forces, and discovers a drift away from original ideals.

    The book's entertaining yet serious tone makes it a valuable read.

Air University · 2014-02-14
engaging 4.00

The book is an easy read that can be digested in a day. It is enlivened by many amusing stories that make the narrative engaging.

The reviewer from Air University notes that this book is an easy read that can be digested in a day. They appreciate the many amusing stories that enliven the narrative, making it an engaging read. The book's strength lies in its ability to present complex topics in a straightforward and entertaining manner. The reviewer finds the book to be both informative and enjoyable, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in American military policy.

Quick quotes

    The strength of this book is that it is an easy read that can be digested in a day.

    There are many amusing stories that enliven the narrative.

    It presents complex topics in a straightforward and entertaining manner.

Scott Whitmore Writer · Scott Whitmore · 2012-06-05
insightful 4.50

This book is filled with insightful commentary and clear-eyed, highly readable prose. It shows how the United States has drifted into a state of constant war during peacetime.

Scott Whitmore praises this book for its insightful commentary and clear-eyed, highly readable prose. They highlight how the United States has drifted into a state of constant war during peacetime, providing a compelling narrative that is both informative and engaging. Whitmore appreciates the book's ability to present complex issues in an accessible manner, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in American military policy.

Quick quotes

    This important book, filled with insightful commentary and clear-eyed and highly readable prose, shows how the United States went from a country...

    The book is a compelling narrative that is both informative and engaging.

    It presents complex issues in an accessible manner.

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