For those whose eyes are caught by the book’s cover, I would urge them to read the preface (2 pages) and “Last Thoughts” (5 pages). Those few pages will tell the reader all they need to know about me, why I wrote the book, and what I thought as I finished revising it in March 2017. They might also enjoy the first chapter (5 pages) that offers an interpretation of the causes of the American revolution that is a bit different than the story as usually remembered.Many who teach American history at the college and high school levels are sorely misinformed about the history of America’s foreign affairs; victims of survey texts reflecting little or no awareness of the scholarship of diplomatic historians and historians of international affairs over the last 50 years or so. Few have the time read to widely outside of their own specialties. I hope the arguments in this easily accessible brief but comprehensive history will capture their attention and stimulate some new thinking.And, like all Americans, I would hope our current and future leaders will make the United States a force for good in the world, leave the world a better place for our children. Perhaps in common with all other historians, I imagine our country will have a better shot at success if we had a clearer sense of what we did well and where we failed in years past. I hope this book contributes to that end.