A fascinating review of 20th century history and the post-Cold War years. To me, it is closest thing to an "official" American perspective you can get without diving into academic journals or government documents. If you want to know what the USA thought about 21st century up to 2020, this is your book to read. The author was an advisor in the GW Bush admin and worked for the Council on Foreign Relations. Thus, his experience (and consequently, the underlying thesis of this book) demonstrates a firm commitment to the neocon-to-neoliberal agreement on global enforcement of (USA-friendly) law and order, liberal economics, and liberal social/religious policies. His mea culpa  for the US's fumbling of their sole superpower status is refreshing and is hopefully prescient of a shift in America's foreign policy and national identity toward something like the conciliatory, cooperative vibe of a one-time leader now humbler and wiser after their fall from grace.