This encyclopedia offers authoritative coverage of the concepts, traditions, events, and individuals that shaped United States' foreign relations from the American Revolution to the present.

The United States is often portrayed as country that gradually, even at times grudgingly, entered the realm of international diplomacy. But in fact, diplomatic alliances have been an essential component of the American story from the very beginning, when the young nation used its connections to bolster its revolutionary efforts, patch together a country out of a variety of foreign territories, and protect itself from its enemies.

Belligerents, Brinkmanship, and the Big Stick: A Historical Encyclopedia of American Diplomatic Concepts is the first comprehensive encyclopedic work to focus specifically on America’s extraordinary history of political engagement with the world. With hundreds of alphabetically organized entries and a rich collection of primary sources, it offers a unique way of understanding the centrality of diplomacy and the role of foreign relations throughout U.S. history.

The encyclopedia is divided into five chronological sections, each containing a brief introduction, topical entries, biographical portraits, and representative documents. It is designed to help readers gain a deeper understanding of both general ideas as well as specific policies like the Monroe Doctrine, the Open Door Policy, and Shuttle Diplomacy. By examining seminal events, important ideas, and individual contributions in the context of U.S. history, the encyclopedia reveals the underlying traditions and motivations of American foreign policy as it has evolved over time.

Features
• Five chronologically arranged sections, each with an introduction that describes key events and relationships
• Over 200 chronological and alphabetic listings of major concepts and events in the history of American foreign relations as well as brief biographical entries on individuals who made major diplomatic contributions
• Excerpts from a number of key foreign policy documents, statements, and treaties that relate to the subject and individual entries
• Maps Illustrating the results of various treaties and international agreements as well as photographs and illustrations of key individuals and events
• Bibliographic listings of print and online resources for each entry, enabling readers to explore topics further
• A comprehensive index plus alphebetical and subject area listings of entries in each section

Highlights
• Illustrates the evolution of American foreign policy and its central role in the nation's development from the American Revolution to the present
• Allows the reader to understand underlying traditions and motivations in diplomatic policies that evolved over time
• Focuses on seminal events and ideas as well as individuals who made particular contributions within the broader context of history

John Dobson, PhD, is professor emeritus of history at Oklahoma State University, Stiillwater, OK, where he also served as dean of the College of Arts and Science. His published works include ABC-CLIO's Bulls, Bears, Boom, and Bust: A Historical Encyclopedia of American Business Concepts.

Reviews
"This reference book also could serve as a handy supplemental text for political science classes covering American foreign relations. . . . Recommended. Lower- and upper-level undergraduates; general readers."—Choice

"Using a chronological framework, the author has produced a reference source that enables a user to comprehend how U.S. foreign policy changed over time. . . . The author’s experiences at home and abroad have given him a broader perspective than many, and his teaching skills enable him to write for an audience that knows some things but would like to learn more about why Americans think and behave as they do regarding other cultures. Some aspects of U.S. foreign policy are rooted in values; others are based on pragmatism. This book helps serious readers sort that out and is recommended for academic libraries and large public library collections. Also available as an e-book."—Booklist

"Dobson’s comprehensive work uses a chronological structure, covering the years since 1776 in five parts. Each of these sections begins with an overview of American diplomacy during that era. Bolded key concepts refer readers to the more in-depth alphabetically arranged entries that follow, each of which includes meticulous citing of footnotes and sources. Biographies of important period diplomats conclude each section. Primary sources are emphasized throughout, with excerpts from, or the full text of, speeches and important documents, such as a letter from William Seward to Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the Civil War, Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, and the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, appearing in text boxes. Back matter includes a detailed chronology with entry titles bolded for easy access. Black-and-white photos and illustrations offer additional material. Elegant organization makes Belligerents an ideal reference work; Dobson’s clear explanations of big-picture concepts and how they relate to specific situations in American history make this a readable and useful resource."—School Library Journal

"The volume will interest a variety of readers: from students and educators to politics and history enthusiasts."—Reference & Research Book News

"College-level libraries strong in political science history will find this a key acquisition, packing in excerpts from key foreign policy documents, treaties, statements and more."—Midwest Book Review

"This dictionary is suitable for all levels and libraries..."—Library Journal

"This book should be in all libraries that have a historical focus and particularly those that focus on governments and foreign policy."—ARBAonline