While the U.S. Sleeps

"With slight shades of differences, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have a common cause fought and triumphed together. The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint effort of common dangers, sufferings, and successes."- George Washington. While the U.S. Sleeps: Squandered Opportunities and Looming Threats to Societies is an illuminating roadmap on history, politics, the U.S. economy, and leadership. It is a fresh and pragmatic overview that touches on six concepts: Arms limitation and disarmament, economic development, racism, education, the environmental movement, and global leadership.

The book explores areas and opportunities that America has had, and should have acted upon them but failed to. Through wise, practical commentary and questioning throughout, observations are made about the many occasions that the United States should have acted for the greater good of humanity and the economy.

Author Langley believes that more domestic savings, a greater focus on education, a change in the burden of the world's key currency plus a change in election financing, could make a major impact. Further, there has been a failure by the U.S to grasp opportunities that constitutes a form of sleep and a lack of basic understanding of the profound implications of rejecting or circumventing those opportunities.

Undoubtedly, While the U.S Sleeps is that book that leaves readers reflecting upon thoughts shared long after the reading is done. Though the approach used is primarily historical, the chapters have been broken down into well-explained bits which balance with more practical advice for the future as well. Moreover, they are punchy and frank as they navigate through the different topics discussed.

It is evident the author took his time and did a lot of research before writing this book. He is expressive and vocal and uses references from renowned scholars and historians, such as Adam Smith and Robert Kagan to accentuate his views. In addition, the book amplifies the voices and contributions of those that have been in power in the United States. It also provides a bibliography and endnotes to guide readers in their reading. Overall, While the U.S. Sleeps: Squandered Opportunities and Looming Threats to Societies is a remarkable and information-packed read which can be used as an excellent reference book in the field of leadership and politics. It is by no means a light read but an investment, and one which I highly recommend.

- Pacific Book Review

"For over two hundred years, the United States' role in the world has focused on or expressed the will to national power and domination."

Langley's text takes the pulse of America. Through a series of examples that span more than a century, Langley suggests that perhaps a misdiagnosis has occurred. Why American life is teetering is neither due to the figure in power, such as Trump, nor party affiliations but rather a systemic series of patterns that have gradually come to a head in the early parts of the twenty-first century. As the author dissects pivotal events (or missed events that could have been pivotal), his stance is crystal clear: it is imperative to learn from history so that it does not repeat itself.

Referencing a missed opportunity at the second Hague Conference in 1907 to limit armaments, Langley points to its continued impact into the modern day with half-baked efforts to curb the development of lethal weapons and a climate where an arms race among nations has never been more apparent. From losing out on the opportunity to unify the globe with one currency to completely dropping the ball on climate change, the author believes that the United States has become a victim of its own grandeur. In the old days, the Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny spoke to its calling for world supremacy. More recently, it has been the Trump-led America-first policy that led the nation to excuse itself from the Paris Accord, expediting the rate of damage done to the environment.

Throughout, the author raises crucial points on the infrastructure that makes America what it is while also exploring the pertinent question of how much longer its status as a global superpower can last if it continues to get in its own way. Langley's text is easy to read, delivering less of a history book feel and more of a comprehensive cause-and-effect guide map to understanding catalysts like race relations that have led to America's looming threats.

- The US Review of Books