Description:
The book locates myth at the base of U.S. war culture, examines its potential reconfiguration into a culture of peace, and considers rhetoric's capacity to renew democracy by dissent. Guided by the archetype of coyote and a vision of better angels, it reflects on Barack Obama's rhetorical juggling and the prophetic voice of veterans opposed to war.
Review Quotes: "In After Empire: Myth, Rhetoric, and Democratic Revival, Robert L. Ivie and Oscar Giner unpack the way that contemporary American myths of war have played a role in legitimizing war and creating an American empire built around a militarized society. They show that creation of an alternative mythology privileging dissent is essential to rebuilding American democracy. The book is cogently argued, based on ground-breaking research on myth and militarism, and a genuine pleasure to read!" -Robert C. Rowland Professor, Department of Communication Studies, University of Kansas