A fascinating look at empires and imperialism, and the new kind of
empire the United States has become. An excellent introduction for young
adults.
The United States presides over the most far-flung imperial system ever
established. Empire compares the American Empire to those of the past,
finding that much can be learned from the fates of the British, Roman,
Chinese, Incan, and Aztec empires.
James Laxer draws ominous parallels with the British who discovered too
late that empire building ultimately threatens the health of democracy
at home. Documenting how the American Empire works and what it means to
the rest of the world, Empire asks: Does the American Empire bring
stability to a troubled world? Or, like its imperial predecessors, does
it impose inequality and oppression on humanity? And what happens when
an empire stumbles?
"[The Groundwork Guides] are excellent books, mandatory for school
libraries and the increasing body of young people prepared to take
ownership of the situations and problems previous generations have left
them." -- Globe and Mail
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2
Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through
particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal
opinions or judgments.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3
Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced,
illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or
anecdotes).
