Really enjoyed this eye-opening, riveting and non-partisan view of where we are in the world (vs. where we see ourselves). Though it's approach is a "plague on both houses" The Reckoning provides real resolutions. Anybody interested in understanding how we got here and where we think we are going (in the global political landscape) should read this book. Highly recommended!

Moran's a genius and explains things very clearly. Great book!

I have finally found a book that tries to explain current economic and political conditions without a definitive bias. It is worth reading for anyone who wants an even handed assessment. I don't agree with some of the conclusions and tend to think the author is too kind in dealing with some of the liberal positions but I don't read to prove myself right. I have tried for several years to find a book like this that doesn't try to convert me to the economic view of the political left or right. If you are hardcore in either direction this book won't satisfy you. It could, however, make you think.

If Mr. Moran has an understanding of Middle East history he sure doesn't let it get in the way of his story telling. According to Mr. Moran, the United States is responsible for all the wrong in the world while giving Israel an assist for all the problems in the Middle East.

If you are looking for a book that explains how America has screwed up the world, you have found it.

What I got most from this book is that I will research an author before purchasing a book "bundled" with another book recommeded by Amazon.

The day of American global dominance is ending - a huge debt burden, and risky economic and foreign policies have made a mockery of our cherished notion of exceptionalism. Instead of confronting reality, we continue our unsuccessful practices - eg. fiscal policy directed by the size of the national debt rather than the employment crisis at hand has become a tremendous drag on economic growth. Our one 'hope,' manipulating exchange rates to influence trade balances, is a zero-sum game.

The 'good news' is that America will continue to appear strong, perhaps for as long as a generation; the 'bad news' is that our slow decline is not likely to prod the significant constructive actions needed. These include more progressive taxation and fiscal stimulus aimed at improving productive infrastructure, coupled with long-term fiscal discipline, stricter supervision and regulation of a financial system still running amok (eg. J.P. Morgan), and the breakup of 'too big to fail' banks. Also needed - less investment in hugely expensive satellite weaponry, hypersonic aircraft, and naval flotillas.

Except for the peak years of WWII, the U.S. has never had a debt/GDP ratio as high as it is now. At 1% rates, the interest now has reached $169 billion/year, exceeding eg. federal spending on highway construction and other 2011 transportation projects.

Israel was the #2 recipient of U.S. foreign aid in 2010, #3 in 2011. Adding Egypt and Jordan's foreign-aid receipts (provided primarily to calm the waters for Israel), would clear make Israel the #1 recipient in both years. Israel's policies of occupying the West Bank and Gaza, proliferating nuclear weapons while pretending it doesn't have any, and the denial of voting and property rights to Palestinians cannot continue. Other Mid-East states (eg. Saudi Arabia - both a major source of oil and holder of our debt) will demand a more aggressive U.S. stance vs. Israel.

Moran is somewhat encouraged by rising labor costs within China; however, he ignores that millions more workers still available in China, as well as India, Vietnam, etc.

China's world influence is boosted by the fact it can shoot down satellites with lasers, and its carrier-killer can strike as much as 1,200 miles offshore. (The range of carrier-based aircraft absent refueling is not about 735 miles.) It's now the #1 trade partner vs. South Korea, Japan, Australia, and India. This doesn't bode well for U.S. influence in those areas. Further, everyone (especially South Korea) knows China has far more leverage with North Korea than does the U.S.

Placing Pakistan into the category of 'friend' has undermined relations with India; ironically, both have strong intelligence assets vs. the Taliban. India then retaliated by declining to consider purchasing new U.S. fighter aircraft.

The 'really bad news' is that even recent severe shocks have failed to motivate rethinking - eg. 9/11 instead saddled us with misguided wars and the squandering of much of the admiration and good will that had been acquired following the peaceful end of the Cold War. Then came the 'Great Recession' after our Darwinistic financial systems deregulation, further worsening matters. Still no major changes. And perhaps worst of all, what passes for 'truth' in American political debate adds no light but does provide another major obstacle. Moran doesn't see either the Tea Party or Obama as leading the U.S. forward in a positive manner.

Recommendations: 1)'Tough love' for all our allies, else they'll continue to over-rely on the U.S. until reaching the point that it is obvious we've become a paper tiger. (Eg. Taiwan - Do you really think the U.S. will/could choose defending a nation nearly 7,000 miles away, vs. Los Angeles?) 2)Address income inequality and re-boot the economy by resetting mortgage loans to actual current values, re-emphasizing progressive taxation. 3)Take a 'gloves off' approach vs. the financial sector. 4)Restructure the military - eg. emphasize long-range drones vs. the new trillion-dollar-plus problem-plagued F-35, smaller ships vs. the $12+ trillion aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gerald Ford. 5)End our unilateral assumption of responsibility for Middle-East stability.

This book is an education, a kind of geostrategy course in 200 pages. It can, at times, be painful to read for holding a magnifying glass to the widening cracks and festering splinters in the foundation of US government... but thankfully, the book stands out from other US `declinist' books in providing a nuanced look at the less obvious ways that America's influence has diminished as well as real recommendations on how to regain it. The author has a kind of journalistic style that is lively and accessible - it is sophisticated in its analysis without being pedantic, wonky or too technical. AS we careen toward another debt showdown in Washington, anyone who wants to understand the big picture should read this!

Fascinating and interesting take on some of the causes of the more serious geostrategic and macroeconomic issues facing the US today. In particular, chapters where Moran uses recent events to demonstrate how technology and social media shifted the balance of power in ways establishment powers couldn't predict, and how the rise of new powers (China, Brazil) will continue to challenge US leadership. He makes an eloquent case for real leadership in the US in terms of changing our foreign and monetary policy for the better before its too late- including current human rights and energy policies.

Fantastic, evocotive read: Hunter S. Thompson meets Graham Greene!