Drift
The Unmooring of American Military Power
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Drift
Buy Now for $20.40
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Rachel Maddow
-
Written by:
-
Rachel Maddow
About this listen
The #1 New York Times bestseller that charts America’s dangerous drift into a state of perpetual war. "One of my favorite ideas is, never to keep an unnecessary soldier," Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1792. Neither Jefferson nor the other Founders could ever have envisioned the modern national security state, with its tens of thousands of "privateers"; its bloated Department of Homeland Security; its rusting nuclear weapons, ill-maintained and difficult to dismantle; and its strange fascination with an unproven counterinsurgency doctrine.
Written with bracing wit and intelligence, Rachel Maddow's Drift argues that we've drifted away from America's original ideals and become a nation weirdly at peace with perpetual war, with all the financial and human costs that entails. To understand how we've arrived at such a dangerous place, Maddow takes us from the Vietnam War to today's war in Afghanistan, along the way exploring the disturbing rise of executive authority, the gradual outsourcing of our war-making capabilities to private companies, the plummeting percentage of American families whose children fight our constant wars for us, and even the changing fortunes of G.I. Joe. She offers up a fresh, unsparing appraisal of Reagan's radical presidency. Ultimately, she shows us just how much we stand to lose by allowing the priorities of the national security state to overpower our political discourse.
Sensible yet provocative, dead serious yet seriously funny, Drift will reinvigorate a "loud and jangly" political debate about how, when, and where to apply America's strength and power--and who gets to make those decisions.
©2012 Rachel Maddow (P)2012 Random HouseYou may also enjoy...
-
Blowout
- Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth
- Written by: Rachel Maddow
- Narrated by: Rachel Maddow
- Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 312
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 268
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 268
In 2010, the words “earthquake swarm” entered the lexicon in Oklahoma. That same year, a trove of Michael Jackson memorabilia—including his iconic crystal-encrusted white glove—was sold at auction for over $1 million to a guy who was, officially, just the lowly forestry minister of the tiny nation of Equatorial Guinea. And in 2014, Ukrainian revolutionaries raided the palace of their ousted president and found a zoo of peacocks, gilded toilets, and a floating restaurant modeled after a Spanish galleon.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
As always...
- By Barbara M. on 2019-10-07
Written by: Rachel Maddow
-
Prequel
- An American Fight Against Fascism
- Written by: Rachel Maddow
- Narrated by: Rachel Maddow
- Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 55
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 45
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 45
Inspired by her research for the hit podcast Ultra, Rachel Maddow charts the rise of a wild American strain of authoritarianism that has been alive on the far-right edge of our politics for the better part of a century. Before and even after our troops had begun fighting abroad in World War II, a clandestine network flooded the country with disinformation aimed at sapping the strength of the U.S. war effort and persuading Americans that our natural alliance was with the Axis, not against it.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Nazis in America
- By Chillyfinger on 2023-10-26
Written by: Rachel Maddow
-
War
- Written by: Bob Woodward
- Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 21
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 19
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 19
Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Bob Woodward tells the revelatory, behind-the-scenes story of three wars—Ukraine, the Middle East and the struggle for the American Presidency. War provides an unvarnished examination of the vice president as she tries to embrace the Biden legacy and policies while beginning to chart a path of her own as a presidential candidate.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
All over the place
- By Void on 2024-11-20
Written by: Bob Woodward
-
Say More
- Communicating at Work, at Home, and in the World
- Written by: Jen Psaki
- Narrated by: Jen Psaki
- Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7
Not many White House Press Secretaries capture the nation’s interest the way Jen Psaki did. Refreshingly candid and clear, Psaki quickly became known for her ability to break through the noise and successfully deliver her message. In her highly anticipated book, Psaki shares her journey to the Briefing Room and beyond, taking you along the campaign trail, to the State Department, and inside the White House under two Presidents.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
An interesting woman helping to make history ( American)
- By Frances on 2024-09-30
Written by: Jen Psaki
-
The Conspiracy to End America
- Five Ways My Old Party Is Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy
- Written by: Stuart Stevens
- Narrated by: Jeff Bottoms
- Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 4
Today’s Republican party is not a “normal” political party in the American tradition. It has become an autocratic movement masquerading as a political party. As Stuart Stevens argues in The Conspiracy to End America, if we look away from that truth, we greatly increase the likelihood that the America we love will slip away, never to return.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Nice
- By Matthew Toffolo on 2024-01-03
Written by: Stuart Stevens
-
Autocracy, Inc.
- The Dictators Who Want to Run the World
- Written by: Anne Applebaum
- Narrated by: Anne Applebaum
- Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 11
From the Pulitzer-prize winning author, an alarming account of how autocracies work together to undermine the democratic world, and how we should organize to defeat them.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
A good summary, but with one obvious blindspot
- By Andrew Dunn on 2024-08-09
Written by: Anne Applebaum
-
Blowout
- Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth
- Written by: Rachel Maddow
- Narrated by: Rachel Maddow
- Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 312
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 268
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 268
In 2010, the words “earthquake swarm” entered the lexicon in Oklahoma. That same year, a trove of Michael Jackson memorabilia—including his iconic crystal-encrusted white glove—was sold at auction for over $1 million to a guy who was, officially, just the lowly forestry minister of the tiny nation of Equatorial Guinea. And in 2014, Ukrainian revolutionaries raided the palace of their ousted president and found a zoo of peacocks, gilded toilets, and a floating restaurant modeled after a Spanish galleon.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
As always...
- By Barbara M. on 2019-10-07
Written by: Rachel Maddow
-
Prequel
- An American Fight Against Fascism
- Written by: Rachel Maddow
- Narrated by: Rachel Maddow
- Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 55
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 45
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 45
Inspired by her research for the hit podcast Ultra, Rachel Maddow charts the rise of a wild American strain of authoritarianism that has been alive on the far-right edge of our politics for the better part of a century. Before and even after our troops had begun fighting abroad in World War II, a clandestine network flooded the country with disinformation aimed at sapping the strength of the U.S. war effort and persuading Americans that our natural alliance was with the Axis, not against it.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Nazis in America
- By Chillyfinger on 2023-10-26
Written by: Rachel Maddow
-
War
- Written by: Bob Woodward
- Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 21
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 19
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 19
Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Bob Woodward tells the revelatory, behind-the-scenes story of three wars—Ukraine, the Middle East and the struggle for the American Presidency. War provides an unvarnished examination of the vice president as she tries to embrace the Biden legacy and policies while beginning to chart a path of her own as a presidential candidate.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
All over the place
- By Void on 2024-11-20
Written by: Bob Woodward
-
Say More
- Communicating at Work, at Home, and in the World
- Written by: Jen Psaki
- Narrated by: Jen Psaki
- Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7
Not many White House Press Secretaries capture the nation’s interest the way Jen Psaki did. Refreshingly candid and clear, Psaki quickly became known for her ability to break through the noise and successfully deliver her message. In her highly anticipated book, Psaki shares her journey to the Briefing Room and beyond, taking you along the campaign trail, to the State Department, and inside the White House under two Presidents.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
An interesting woman helping to make history ( American)
- By Frances on 2024-09-30
Written by: Jen Psaki
-
The Conspiracy to End America
- Five Ways My Old Party Is Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy
- Written by: Stuart Stevens
- Narrated by: Jeff Bottoms
- Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 4
Today’s Republican party is not a “normal” political party in the American tradition. It has become an autocratic movement masquerading as a political party. As Stuart Stevens argues in The Conspiracy to End America, if we look away from that truth, we greatly increase the likelihood that the America we love will slip away, never to return.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Nice
- By Matthew Toffolo on 2024-01-03
Written by: Stuart Stevens
-
Autocracy, Inc.
- The Dictators Who Want to Run the World
- Written by: Anne Applebaum
- Narrated by: Anne Applebaum
- Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 11
From the Pulitzer-prize winning author, an alarming account of how autocracies work together to undermine the democratic world, and how we should organize to defeat them.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
A good summary, but with one obvious blindspot
- By Andrew Dunn on 2024-08-09
Written by: Anne Applebaum
What the critics say
"Thank Ms. Maddow for picking this and every other fight that Drift provokes. It will be a smarter public debate than the kinds we're used to." (Janet Maslin, New York Times)
"Maddow’s distinctive voice in Drift is highly intelligent, often incredulous and intermittently and humorously profane...Her thesis, which is passionately and effectively articulated, remind[s] us of how far we have drifted from linking the sacrifices of our armed forces around the world to the citizens at home they so selflessly serve… Maddow…[has] provided readers with a timely and perhaps necessary provocation to examine the far-reaching consequences of the American way of war." (Gordon M. Goldstein, Washington Post)
"Crosses partisan lines and deals with issues that deserve a healthy debate...A compelling, intelligent read filled with Maddow's trademark wit." (Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times)
What listeners say about Drift
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Adnan Safdar
- 2021-02-03
History and analysis of American wars
American war misadventures and its political backdrops of self aggrandizing white house administrations. Held hostage to world's largest war machine that is eroding the US, politically and economically.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Don B
- 2020-01-18
Cecil John Rhodes Applauds
Restless mind and spirit that always brings you to harbour although sometimes only by canoe. Appreciate the personal narration immensely. Bj Canuck
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- payne
- 2021-12-16
Changes the way you look at the world!
Book was great. The narrator was perfect, the small zinggers kept it light. ( even tho the topic is heavy)
A must read/listen!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- EnaGaile Sagert
- 2019-10-28
A must read
Everyone should read this informative book, it opens ons eyes to what really goes on behind the closed doors of government.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- 🇨🇦Jordan 🇨🇦
- 2020-02-03
I wish more books were like this.
Once again Rachel made informing people of a subject a learning experience. Good book!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Barbara M.
- 2021-12-26
Drift…with Racheal reading ROCKS !
There is nothing more interesting than a good book read by its extremely talented writer. It is a very important and interesting work made into an extremely informative yet fun listening experience by the skillful presentation by its extraordinary author. It is serious, sometimes fun, explanation of misplaced faith in a seriously broken system. Rachael manages to make this very scary topic of misplaced trust incredibly informative yet entertaining…it is her gift !
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!