Science and American Foreign Relations since World War II

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'In this intelligent and original book, Greg Whitesides brings needed attention to the role of science in post-1945 American diplomacy. Drawing on deep research in a range of sources, including scientific reports and publications, Whitesides shows with great clarity and skill how the United States leveraged its scientific and technical expertise to help other nations but also to advance the perceived needs of US foreign policy. Not infrequently these twin aims were in conflict, and the study illuminates the often mixed results of America's scientific dominance.' Fredrik Logevall, Harvard University, Massachusetts 'Whitesides has written an indispensable book on a topic long neglected: the role of science in American foreign policy from the World War II race to develop the atomic bomb to the Trump administration's rejection of international efforts to control climate change. Sources are almost encyclopedic in nature, ranging from scholarly monographs and articles to the 'Foreign Relations of the United States' series and declassified CIA documents. The story begins with a description of the importance of Allied collaborative research during the years 1940-45, followed by US use of technology as a Cold War weapon. Particularly fascinating are materials dealing with Soviet geneticist T. D. Lysenko, the crisis Sputnik created, the failed Alliance for Progress program in Latin America, US-Israeli scientific relations, and Chinese physicist and spy Wen Ho Lee. ... works such as this revolutionize the writing of American diplomatic history. Highly recommended.' J. D. Doenecke, Choice
 
'In this intelligent and original book, Greg Whitesides brings needed attention to the role of science in post-1945 American diplomacy. Drawing on deep research in a range of sources, including scientific reports and publications, Whitesides shows with great clarity and skill how the United States leveraged its scientific and technical expertise to help other nations but also to advance the perceived needs of US foreign policy. Not infrequently these twin aims were in conflict, and the study illuminates the often mixed results of America's scientific dominance.' Fredrik Logevall, Harvard University, Massachusetts
'Whitesides has written an indispensable book on a topic long neglected: the role of science in American foreign policy from the World War II race to develop the atomic bomb to the Trump administration's rejection of international efforts to control climate change. Sources are almost encyclopedic in nature, ranging from scholarly monographs and articles to the 'Foreign Relations of the United States' series and declassified CIA documents. The story begins with a description of the importance of Allied collaborative research during the years 1940-45, followed by US use of technology as a Cold War weapon. Particularly fascinating are materials dealing with Soviet geneticist T. D. Lysenko, the crisis Sputnik created, the failed Alliance for Progress program in Latin America, US-Israeli scientific relations, and Chinese physicist and spy Wen Ho Lee. ... works such as this revolutionize the writing of American diplomatic history. Highly recommended.' J. D. Doenecke, Choice