Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq

Overthrow examines fourteen cases where the United States orchestrated or participated in the removal of foreign governments from 1893 to the present day. Author Stephen Kinzer presents these regime changes chronologically, from Hawaii to Iraq, documenting the methods, motivations, and key players involved in each intervention. The book divides these interventions into three historical phases: the imperial era of the late 19th century, the Cold War period, and modern operations in the Middle East. Each case study explores the economic interests, political ideologies, and cultural attitudes that drove American decision-makers to pursue regime change. Kinzer draws from declassified documents, historical records, and interviews to reconstruct the complex dynamics between U.S. leaders, corporate interests, and local forces in target nations. The narrative traces connections between seemingly separate events across different decades and continents. Through these fourteen episodes, the book reveals patterns in American foreign policy and raises questions about the long-term consequences of intervention. The work challenges readers to consider the relationship between stated diplomatic goals and underlying economic motives in international relations.

Readers appreciate Kinzer's clear documentation of US intervention in foreign governments, finding the book well-researched and accessible. Many note it fills gaps in their historical knowledge, particularly about lesser-known operations in Hawaii, Chile, and Iran. Readers liked: - Balanced presentation of complex events - Smooth narrative flow connecting different interventions - Inclusion of primary sources and declassified documents - Clear explanations of economic motivations Common criticisms: - Some chapters feel rushed or oversimplified - Limited coverage of certain interventions - Not enough detail on aftermath/long-term impacts - Writing can be dry in technical sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (8,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (750+ ratings) Sample review: "Kinzer connects dots between corporate interests and military action without falling into conspiracy theories. The Hawaii chapter alone is worth the price." - Amazon reviewer "Could have gone deeper into the CIA's role in several cases." - Goodreads reviewer

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🌎 While most Americans know about recent regime changes in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. has orchestrated at least 14 successful overthrows of foreign governments between 1893 and 2003. 📚 Author Stephen Kinzer spent more than 20 years as a foreign correspondent for The New York Times, reporting from over 50 countries on four continents. 👑 The first U.S.-backed overthrow covered in the book was Hawaii in 1893, where a small group of American businessmen and plantation owners deposed Queen Liliuokalani to gain control of the island's sugar industry. 🔍 The term "banana republic" originated from U.S. interventions in Central America, particularly Honduras and Guatemala, where the United Fruit Company wielded enormous influence over American foreign policy. 🗞️ The CIA's role in Iran's 1953 coup against Mohammad Mossadegh remained classified until 2013, sixty years after the event, when the agency officially acknowledged its involvement.