“Thank You For Your Service!” (AE236)

This book is a compilation of parts of the Pentagon Papers, a 7,000-page secret history of the Vietnam War compiled by the Defense Department. It includes articles published by the New York Times and supporting documents, providing insight into the conversations and decision-making processes within the White House and the Pentagon from 1950 to 1968. The papers expose the government's lies to the American public about the war and highlight the faulty assumptions and hunches that guided U.S. policy. The book offers a detailed look at the Johnson administration's handling of the war and the broader context of the Cold War and U.S. foreign policy.

In this work, Lenin builds upon Marx's theories to propose a stage of capitalism characterized by the dominance of finance capital and the formation of monopolies. He argues that imperialism is a result of the concentration of capital, the growth of industrial and banking monopolies, and the export of capital to colonies. Lenin provides empirical evidence and statistical data to support his analysis, highlighting the predatory and anticompetitive behaviors of cartels and the inevitability of war arising from the contradictions of imperialism.

Published in 1917, 'Nationalism' by Rabindranath Tagore is a series of essays that critique the concept of nationalism. The book is divided into four main sections: 'Nationalism in the West', 'Nationalism in Japan', 'Nationalism in India', and concludes with a poem titled 'The Sunset of the Century'. Tagore argues that the Western model of nationalism, based on exclusivity and the pursuit of power and profit, is detrimental to humanity. He criticizes the nationalist movements for promoting divisiveness, hatred, and the mechanization of life, and instead advocates for a universal and moral approach that emphasizes love, compassion, and the inherent goodness of humans. Tagore's work is notable for its early postcolonial perspectives and its call for social and cultural reform, particularly in India, where he prioritized addressing social inequalities over achieving political freedom.

Luke Peterson's study analyzes the relationship between the U.S. military and mainstream print media, showing how narratives of service and sacrifice are constructed and sustained. The book traces coverage from the Spanish–American War through twentieth-century conflicts to contemporary reporting, highlighting recurring themes, omissions, and institutional influence. Peterson combines archival research with media analysis and interviews to demonstrate how business interests, state agencies, and cultural production shape public perceptions of military action. He argues that persistent nationalistic rituals and media practices normalize militarism and obscure abuses and imperial dimensions of U.S. foreign policy. The work is positioned as a resource for historians, media scholars, and readers seeking a critical account of military-media relations in American public life.

In 'All the Shah's Men,' Stephen Kinzer provides a detailed and engaging narrative of the CIA's Operation Ajax, the covert operation that deposed Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953. The book explores the historical context, including the nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company by Mossadegh, the British and American interests involved, and the role of key figures such as Kermit Roosevelt and the Dulles brothers. Kinzer argues that this coup had significant and unintended consequences, including the rise of Muslim fundamentalism, anti-American sentiment in the Middle East, and ultimately, the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The book is a critical examination of American foreign policy and its impact on global events, drawing connections between the 1953 coup and contemporary issues in the Middle East.