How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr

5.5 out of 10

In its best sense, this book offers a lot of supplementary perspective on the history of the United States.  From the purchase of Louisiana to the current Puerto Rican limbo, the US continually acts in an imperial fashion.  Did you know that the United States had the opportunity to march on Mexico City?  And a chance to buy the Dominican Republic?

On the mainland, the army fought indigenous people and forced them onto reservations.  Ethnicities such as Cubans, Samoans, Inuit, and Filipinos all lived under the stars and stripes, but full citizenship and constitutional rights were not awarded to everyone.  

Uncle Sam's territorial interests have included rubber forests, oil fields, canal zones, and the moon.  To expand economic interests, American businesses built global supply chains and communication networks that export standard practices, language, and culture.  Oh, and don't forget about the profusion of military bases around the world.