Paul Buchheit Editor. American Wars: Illusions and Realities.

• Position: Brief article - Book review

Paul Buchheit Editor. American Wars: Illusions and Realities. Atlanta, GA: Clarity Press, 2008, 188 pages. Paper $14.95.

The book tends to dispel nineteen myths and illusions about American wars, especially in the Middle East. It helps explain why the United States' government tricked its people into supporting unjust seemingly unending wars. The voices of academics, activists, veterans, researchers, and journalists are brought together in a volume that warns the world about a threat. Nonviolent alternatives to war are at times introduced.

The myths and illusions are organized in sections titled, "fighting for the right reason," "believing our decision makers," "not mistreating enemies," "making the world a better place," and "the inevitability of the war." Some of the myths and illusions dispelled in the book are: "we fight for peace and democracy," "our government tells us the truth about our wars," "we stay in Iraq to prevent further bloodshed among Iraqis," "The military will take good care of our soldiers," "war boosts the...