Battlegrounds cover art

Battlegrounds

The Fight to Defend the Free World

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Battlegrounds

By: H. R. McMaster
Narrated by: H.R. McMaster
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About this listen

From Lt. General H.R. McMaster, former National Security Advisor during Trump’s administration, a bold assessment of the most critical foreign policy and national security challenges of our age.

There has been a shift in power since the end of the Cold War. In Battlegrounds, bestselling author, commander, scholar and National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster examines the rising strength of Russia and China, the threat from hostile states Iran and North Korea, the complex battlegrounds in South Asia and the Middle East, and the new arenas of international competition – space, cyberspace and emerging technology.

How can foreign policy, which has across multiple administrations proved itself outdated, misconceived, inconsistent and poorly implemented, be transformed to face the challenges of today? How can Western countries like America and the UK stay relevant, secure and humane? How can we abandon what McMaster calls ‘Strategic Narcissism’ in favour of ‘Strategic Empathy’ – an approach that relies on understanding other nations’ motivations and ideologies?

A groundbreaking reassessment of international security and survival, McMaster gives vital insight to life inside the most powerful office and military force in the world, and makes bold arguments for how to achieve a safer, more peaceful future.

©2020 H.R. McMaster (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Freedom & Security Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government United States World National Security Military War Middle East Russia Iran Thought-Provoking Imperial Japan China American Foreign Policy Imperialism Soviet Union Cyber Warfare Cold War

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Critic reviews

‘Indispensable… Battlegrounds provides a comprehensive and expert review of the strategic threats the US faced when the author was in the White House – not only the Chinese challenge but also Russia’s troublemaking everywhere from Syria to cyberspace, and the perennial North Korean and Iranian menaces’
TLS

All stars
Most relevant  
Fascinating. Gives me some hope that liberal democracy will prevail, at a time when it seems to be under systemic attack from global neo fascism.

Heroliam Slava ! Heroliam Slava !

HR McMaster For President !!!

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I read a lot of books but this one has absolutely raised the bar. A very informative and unbiased study of global politics and the role of the United States as the world leader.

A must read if you are into modern politics

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Thoughtful, genuine, realistic, insightful analysis & commentary by a military historian with skin in the game.

Read by the author, which contributes to the work’s authenticity.

Recommended for those not interested in biased rhetoric.

For anyone who is even remotely interested in Geopolitics

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Getting an around the world view of the global competition and existential threat the 'west' faces from an historian who has sat at the top table of US National Security is, in many senses, a privilege.

fascinating and insightful

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Excellent book. The opportunity to throw trump under the bus or lament his firing from gov was available, but focusing on the message he wishes to convey shows the class in McMaster.

The message is a practical view on US foreign policy and how the government and citizens struggle with complex situations. It challenges beliefs you might have about America and their role in the world, as well as competitors.

I wish there were more people like McMaster in government today. We’d all be better off.

Eye Opener

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Eye opening book from a highly decorated veteran and high ranking ex government employee. History is extremely useful when looking at what may happen in the future. Sadly too many repeating mistakes have been made from one government to the next. Reading this in 2023/24 this book highlights the dangers we are facing today and the struggles that governments have especially when it comes to foreign policy and convincing the other government personnel as well as the public at large that monies spend in overseas places should be carefully assessed and the correct goals put in placed before moving forward. Also monitoring carefully and making changes as required is vital to ensure that the initial ideas and goals are adhered to and provide value and results. Too much money has been spent and lives lost on wars that benefit some in the minority either financially or personally politically than the country and persons it should. More work is required from governments to ensure that the public’s know the full facts of what were are going to war, or sending troops to be based in far off countries, to ensure that people are fully aware of the dangers out there, without creating mass panic( as per the Covid pandemic) People are not stupid and can make there own minds up, however they need ALL the true information to make a sound judgement and sadly this is generally not fully available to most people This creates division and undermines the reasons for doing x and the personal involved. Social
Media spread untruths and the focus is lost on why X needs to happen. Details should be upfront clear and regular to keep people informed and onside. Overall this book provides agreat insight into the inner workings of the military and the political sphere and the distinguished career H.R McMaster. Great work

What is really going on in government

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