Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney |
| Products | Non-fiction book on U.S. foreign policy |
Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America is a 2015 publication addressing U.S. foreign policy, co-written by Dick Cheney, who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009, alongside his daughter, Liz Cheney, a former official at the United States Department of State. The book delivers a strong critique of President Barack Obama's foreign policy approach while advocating for the principle of American exceptionalism.
Synopsis
Covering American foreign relations and military engagements from the era of Franklin D. Roosevelt through the tenure of the Obama administration, the book underscores America's singular position as a protector of global liberty since World War II. Drawing upon the concept of American exceptionalism, the Cheneys challenge policies implemented during Obama's presidency and under former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, offering recommendations aimed at revitalizing U.S. leadership and influence on the world stage.
The authors open with a prologue stressing the importance of imparting knowledge about America's unique mission to coming generations, referencing figures such as George C. Marshall, Dwight Eisenhower, Harry Truman, and Ronald Reagan. They argue that the U.S. military plays a vital role in safeguarding freedom internationally, portraying America as "the most powerful, good, and honorable nation in history."
Invoking Abraham Lincoln's description of America as "the last, best hope of earth," they contend that the United States remains indispensable in defending liberty worldwide. They emphasize that future leaders must continue to embody this exceptional responsibility, exemplified by presidents like Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Reagan, ultimately affirming America's exceptional status.
Reception
In The Washington Post, journalist Carlos Lozada characterized the book as a "relentlessly militaristic to-do list for the next commander in chief," criticizing it for presenting an "unconvincing" and selectively framed historical narrative.
On MSNBC, Zachary Roth interpreted the work as a critique targeting Obama’s foreign policy, asserting that the Cheneys argue Obama compromised U.S. security by abandoning bipartisan global leadership and adopting the stance that "America is to blame and her power must be restrained."
Jennifer Harper writing for The Washington Times commended the book for its "specific suggestions from the nation's history" and its compelling defense of national security, offering actionable guidance for reestablishing America's international standing.
Hugh Hewitt in the Washington Examiner highlighted how the book traces a seven-decade consensus on sustaining American global dominance, suggesting that recent years under Obama mark a notable departure from this legacy. Hewitt emphasized the Cheneys' effective critique of Obama and Hillary Clinton while underscoring the pressing necessity for America to maintain its role as a global first responder.
In contrast, Benjamin H. Friedman at reason.com dismissed the book as predictable and factually flawed in its condemnation of Obama's foreign policy. He criticized its unwavering support for military interventionism and refusal to acknowledge any U.S. conflicts as misguided, pointing out that Obama’s administration engaged in six wars without rejecting the militarized global dominance endorsed by the Cheneys.