Book: Addicted To War: Why The U.S. Can't Kick Militarism

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BK-ATW

* "Addicted To War is must reading for all Americans who are concerned with understanding the true nature of U.S. foreign policy and how it affects us here at home." - Martin Sheen, actor
* "Addicted To War is a rare gift to the American people. It should be read by every person who cares about the human condition. This book reveals truths that all Ameticans need to understand if we are ever to experience peace and justice for all the people of the earth." - Father Roy Bourgeois, founder of School of the Americas Watch and a military veteran
* "Our young people will learn more about the cult of militarism in this short and accurate book by Joel Andreas than they might learn in their first twelve years of schooling." - Blase Bonpane, director of Office of the America and military veteran
* "Many years ago in Korea, I believed I was serving a righteous cause. When reality jarred my assumptions, I first reacted angrily. My honor was offended. Then I met other ex-military who helped me understand that while my motives were good, the policies I was asked to support were not. We banded together to use our experience to help head off future wars through education. One of our most effective tools is 'Addicted To War'." - Wilson Powell, Executive Director, Veterans for Peace
* "This book analyzes why men are addicted to fighting and killing - an addiction that could, in this nuclear age, destroy all life on earth, creating the final epidemic of the human race." - Dr. Helen Caldicott, pediatrician and author of "Missile Envy" * "As we're goose-stepping our way into the new millennium, 'Addicted To War' provides us with an opportunity to see ourselves as others see us." - Kris Kristofferson, singer/songwriter and military veteran

Author Joel Andreas' Preface to the Third Edition:

I wrote the first edition of Addicted To War after the U.S. war against Iraq in 1991. The major news media had been reduced to wartime cheerleaders, and people in this country had largely been shielded from the ugly realities of the war. My aim was to present information difficult to find in the mainstream media, and to explain America's extraordinary predilection to go to war. Ten years later events compelled me to update the book. The September 11th attacks provided an opportunity for George W. Bush to declare a "War On Terrorism," which in practice turned out to be an endless binge of war-making. The second edition was published in early 2002, following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. The Bush administration then turned to preparing for a new war against Iraq. A thin rhetorical veneer about combatting terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction hardly concealed its underlying aim: to impose a new U.S. client regime in the Middle East and assure control over a country that has the world's second-largest known oil reserves. As the present edition goes to press [May 2004], the U.S. is occupying Afghanistran and Iraq. In an effort to quell armed resistance, the U.S, military is taking harsh punitive measures against the civilian populations of both countries, feding a spiral of violence that has repercussions arond the world and is placing us all in greater danger.

This book chronicles over two centuries of U.S. foreign wars, beginning with the Indian wars. During this time, America's machinery of war has grown into a behemoth that dominates our economy and society and extends around the globe. Although the Bush administration has been particularly bellicose, this country's addiction to war began long before Bush came to power and will undoubtedly survive his departure. The costs of this growing addiction are now being felt more acutely at home. Soldiers and their families are paying a heavy price, but everyone is affected. Skyrocketing military spending is contributing to huge government deficits, causing sharp cuts in domestic programs, including education, health care, housing, public transport and environmental protection. At the same time, the "War On Terrorism" is being used as an excuse to step up police surveillance and ewrode our civil liberties. I hope this book will spur reflection and debate about militarism, and encourage creative action to change our direction. – Joel Andreas

Teachers can now order copies of "Addicted To War" at no cost from the publisher for classroom use. The publisher, Frank Dorrell, is also seeking donations to help defray the cost of this free classroom distribution program. Contact him at www.addictedtowar.com or (310) 838-8131.