A very sobering read. As a military officer, this book began as vindication for the struggles we face day-to-day. Unnecessary problems and roadblocks that serve as “no” so often that many requests aren’t even asked for. We know it would just be a waste of time. After the thrill of my sense of vindication wore off, the book became very hard to read. I see this book. I feel it every time I go to work. It’s heavy, unpleasant, many times painful. I wonder how future generations will remember us, those who have failed this country. Have all but foundered it. There is a a sliver of hope to right the course, but it would take cooperative action. Mr. Brose finished this book towards the end of Trump’s presidency, and noted the political divide in this country. Does anyone think it has gotten better? This book should be a mandatory read for every student, leader, person of power, but it’s not. I hope that it is well known enough to influence real change, but the realist in me says isn’t. China won’t give us a Pearl Harbor moment. They’re too smart for that. They will continue to erode our society until we are so sick of each other we just hand over the keys. We’ve already given them access to so much, I could laugh about it. If I was Chinese.

Absolutely mind bending, captivating and thought provoking work until Chapter 6. Then the writing style changes the too frequent use of words like “indeed”, “Military Internet of Things” and a couple others. The following chapters bury the reader in never ending rancor of the military/industrial etc. complex. One oddity is the use of the term Chinese Communist Party defining China while we are America. If our adversary is defined by its social system shouldn’t we be called “American Capitalist Party”? Sadly, much of this important book devolves in the end to hope.