Yes I'm late to the discussion. I can't help it this book has been checked out from the local library since it came in. I have to say, I'm actually less than impressed. Let me qualify that, in light of the reading I do on-line as well as my knowledge of recent military action by the United States I'm less than impressed.
Clark does Yeoman's work recapping Afghanistan and Iraq up to September 2003, but let's face it he's no Bob Woodward. Woodward's 'Bush at War' is one of the pivotal pieces in my view of the Bush administration and the use of force in the post cold war era. What Clark has to say about Afghanistan pales in comparison to Woodward's recount. Indeed Clark fails to even mention the important role that the CIA played in the initial conflict.
Likewise Clark's recount of the initial Iraqi expedition while tacitly correct disappoints. He does point out missed opportunities and bungled statesmanship where he sees it, but seen through the lens of a semi-avid blogger and daily reader of places like 'Talking Points Memo' and 'Daily Kos' Clark comes off as regurgitating information that has steeped in the blogosphere for months now. Doubtless I'm seeing this because other bloggers and journalists have read 'Winning Modern Wars' as well and taken up Clark's points to champion them.
Possibly the best part of the book for me was captured in the last 40 pages as Clark recaps the magnanimity and wise policy of the United States post World War II. He does provide a very readable, compelling look at American power, politically, that did rally me to him. Unfortunately after the build up to his vision of America things quickly break down into a political diatribe worthy of a convention acceptance speech.
Some bloggers have likened Clark's book to a presidential stump speech. I'm inclined to half agree with them. However in light of other books I've read recently, including 'Bushwhacked' and 'Lies and the lying liars that tell them', Clark's book is actually refreshing on a 'Bush-bashing' scale (it's on the low end). Clark doesn't set his sights directly on the current administration and take them to task for their failures (he does point them out). Rather, he presents his views and vision for America in this new millennium. It may be a stump speech, but it's a damned good one and this book provides enough detail and candid thought to flesh out this candidate.
Would I recommend this book? It depends. If you're a Clark supporter absolutely. If you're a reasonably with it blog crawler and news junky, skip it. If you're neither and are interested in what this Wes Clark guy is all about then go check out this book. At 200 pages it is no where near as daunting as other books on the market this year and it provides a good overview and context for the past 4 years of Pax Americana.