Hawaii, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Iran, the Philippines, Granada, Panama, Chile, Afghanistan, Iraq. In this compelling review, New York Times journalist and author Kinzer (Crescent and Star, Turkey Between Two Worlds) crisply outlines the events, politics and personalities of 14 cases in which America has brought down foreign governments since 1893. Kinzer effectively demonstrates that revolutions, invasions and foreign meddling are as American as apple pie (and that such adventures rarely do much to enhance security).  (USA148, $16.00)

Best of 2006