A World Safe for Commerce: American Foreign Policy from the Revolution to the Rise of China (Dale C. Copeland)

Dale C. Copeland's A World Safe for Commerce: American Foreign Policy from the Revolution to the Rise of China is a historical study of how American international trade and foreign policy are often interlinked. Taking the reader from pre-independent colonies through two wars with Britain, this book shows how American behavior and antagonism towards Britain were largely due to British desires to keep America's growth in check. Over the subsequent centuries, America's foreign policy would often reflect the realpolitik of trade relations with allies and "enemies" throughout the world as the country grew both geographically and economically.

Copeland's historical framing of trade and foreign policy sets up a useful final chapter where he discusses the present relationship between the United States and China, a country that itself is in a position of rising global economic and political strength. Copeland analyzes potential scenarios for how the U.S.-Chinese relationship may play out in the coming decades, drawing on China's history as well as America's current political environment to map out potential outcomes. 

A World Safe for Commerce may be a complex book to digest in some areas, particularly when economic or foreign policy theories are explained. However, the bulk of the book is a fine narrative of understanding America's economic growth and how its foreign policy was tied largely to its global position and, in recent decades, its desires to shape global economic conditions.

MY RATING: 4

Life After Power: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House (Jared Cohen)

The lives of former American presidents have varied tremendously since George Washington retired to his farm and then was coaxed back to ceremonially lead the United States Army in 1798. Their place in American life is unique in that they once held the most powerful position in the country, arguably even the world, and then found themselves without that elected position. While nearly forty men have lived to become former presidents, each tackled their post-presidency in different ways.

Jared Cohen's Life After Power: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House shares the stories of seven former presidents, from Thomas Jefferson to George W. Bush. Each changed history and America's trajectory in their own ways. Jefferson founded the University of Virginia. John Quincy Adams and William Howard Taft had second acts in Washington in different branches of government. Grover Cleveland had a second act in the White House. Herbert Hoover resumed the humanitarian work that he was famous for in the aftermath of World War I (but only after a dozen years on the sidelines). George W. Bush took up painting and made a clean break from American political life as a reminder of the days when presidents simply retired to a quiet life. And of course Jimmy Carter is known for working to advance democratic ideals and public service through volunteering to build houses.

Cohen does a wonderful job telling the stories of these seven men and how each charted their own vastly different course after their time in the White House.

MY RATING: 5

Solving The Price is Right: How Mathematics Can Improve Your Decisions on and off the Set of America's Celebrated Game Show (Justin L. Bergner)

The Price is Right has been broadcast in its current format since the 1970s. The iconic American TV institution allows contestants to win cars, vacations, and cash based on having a strong knowledge of item pricing, plus some basic math skills and a dash of luck. As someone who watched the show off and on for decades, I've sensed a level of math skill and game play associated with various pricing games but wasn't sure of the science behind the games. Author Justin L. Bergner does the heavy lifting and watches two seasons of shows to document his findings in Solving The Price is Right: How Mathematics Can Improve Your Decisions on and off the Set of America's Celebrated Game Show.

This book explores the game theory and necessary math skills for getting out of Contestants' Row, playing pricing games, spinning the big wheel, and bidding on the showcases at the end of the show. Some games are easier to play and require a relatively simple level of strategy (Cliffhanger), a bit of skill (Hole in One), or general strategy on chip or shell placement (Plinko and Shell Game). Bergner reviews two seasons of show data and quantifies contestant results versus what he determines to be the best strategy for each game.

Bergner devotes an entire chapter to the showcase portion and how the first showcase, irregardless of price, is often the winning showcase no matter if the first person bids on it or passes it to their opponent. The game theory in the showcase is arguably the most interesting part of the book since the showcases are different in terms of the items presented. Solving the Price is Right as a whole is a very enjoyable discussion of the math and theory behind a very successful game show. If you're thinking of trying to get on the show and love math, this book is for you.

MY RATING: 4.5