With Us or Against Us: Studies in Global Anti-Americanism - Scholarly

In this review of With Us or Against Us: Studies in Global Anti-Americanism, the reviewer finds a rigorous, essay-driven examination useful for students, researchers, and policy observers who want a deep, historical perspective on global perceptions of the United States. The collection does not posture as polemic; rather, it assembles varied regional and thematic studies to trace the sources, forms, and likely trajectory of anti-Americanism, making it the single best pick for readers who need a careful, balanced account rather than opinionated argument.

Key Features

• Comprehensive scope: The essays together survey both Western and non-Western perceptions of the United States since the Second World War, giving readers a broad historical sweep.
• Analytical, not polemical: Rather than attacking or defending the United States, the book focuses on sources and varieties of sentiment, helping readers understand context and causation.
• Scholarly contribution: Collected essays provide sustained attention to trends and trajectories, useful for academic citation or classroom discussion.
• Comparative approach: Coverage of multiple regions enables comparisons that illuminate how anti-Americanism varies by culture and political environment.
• Policy relevance: The volume's findings are valuable for analysts and policymakers who need to anticipate how attitudes toward the United States may evolve.

Who It's For

The book is best for graduate students, researchers, and informed readers in international relations and political economy who need a well-sourced, interpretive collection on global attitudes toward the United States. Its essay format and historical span make it suitable as supplemental reading for courses on foreign policy, comparative politics, or modern diplomatic history.

Readers seeking a brief primer, a journalistic-style narrative, or a definitive partisan account should look elsewhere; this collection favors analytical depth over quick summaries or popular polemic, and benefits readers willing to engage with scholarly essays.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a broad, historically informed overview that clarifies differing sources of anti-American feeling across regions.
• Maintains an objective, analytical tone rather than polemic, aiding balanced understanding.
• Useful as a scholarly resource and classroom text with essays that can be cited and discussed individually.

Cons

• The essay collection format can feel dense for casual readers and lacks a single authorial narrative to tie all pieces into one continuous account.

Specifications

Title	With Us or Against Us: Studies in Global Anti-Americanism
Series	CERI Series in International Relations and Political Economy
Editors/Authors	D. Lacorne, T. Judt
Subject	Global perceptions of the United States since World War II
Approach	Collection of scholarly essays; analytical rather than polemical
Intended audience	Students, researchers, policymakers

Our Verdict

With Us or Against Us is a valuable, well-argued collection for readers seeking analytical depth on anti-Americanism. Its comparative, historically grounded essays make it a good investment for academic libraries and policy researchers who need careful, sourced discussion rather than a quick overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book argue for or against the United States?
The collection does not seek to attack or defend the United States but instead focuses on identifying sources and varieties of anti-American sentiment.

Who edited or authored the essays?
The volume is presented under the names D. Lacorne and T. Judt as contributors or editors associated with the CERI series.

Is it suitable for classroom use?
Yes; the scholarly essays and comparative scope make it well suited as supplemental reading in graduate or advanced undergraduate courses.