How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States

America still maintains hundreds of military bases around the world and this, too, is another one of those unspoken, hidden indicators of empire that no one wants to talk about. Many would argue that this is different, that it isn’t exactly like the empires of the past, and they are correct. But it is still a form of empire, in the economic sense at least, because these bases are there to protect our interests.
--Bryan Carey comment on Amazon.com

How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr is a comprehensive exploration of American Imperialism focusing on the often overlooked territories and dependencies of the United States. 

We're all familiar with maps that outline our fifty states. And we are also familiar with the idea that the United States is an “empire,” exercising power around the world. But what about the actual territories—the islands, atolls, and archipelagos—this country has governed and inhabited?

Here's a brief overview:

Thesis: Immerwahr argues that the traditional narrative of U.S. history as a continental story is incomplete. He introduces the concept of the "Greater United States," which includes not just the 50 states but also territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among others.

Historical Context: The book traces American expansion from the early days of the republic, through the acquisition of territories like the Philippines during the Spanish-American War, to the strategic military bases and territories post-World War II. 

Pointillist Empire: Immerwahr uses the term "pointillist empire" to describe how U.S. territories are scattered across the globe, often hidden from the national consciousness. This contrasts with the more contiguous land empires of old.

Impact on History: The book examines how these territories have shaped American history, including their role in military strategy, economic benefits, and social policies. It delves into the legal and cultural implications of U.S. rule over these areas, particularly in terms of citizenship, rights, and representation.

Cultural and Political Oversight: Immerwahr discusses how these territories are often excluded from common American narratives, maps, and even the national imagination. He critiques the portrayal of the U.S. as a nation without colonies, highlighting the contradictions and moral questions this raises.

Modern Relevance: The book also looks at more contemporary issues, such as the treatment of residents of these territories during crises like natural disasters (e.g., Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico) and the implications of this "hidden" empire in global politics.

Narrative Style: Immerwahr's writing is engaging, blending historical analysis with storytelling, which makes complex geopolitical issues accessible. He uses personal stories, legal battles, and cultural references to flesh out his arguments.

Conclusion: "How to Hide an Empire" challenges readers to reconsider what it means to be part of the United States, urging a reevaluation of the nation's identity, responsibilities, and historical narrative.

The book has been both praised for its insightful reframing of American history and criticized by some for its perspective on U.S. imperialism. Nevertheless it remains a significant contribution to understanding the scope and nature of American influence around the world. I've not seen anything quite like it. One reviewer called it "A pathbreaking history of the United States’ overseas possessions and the true meaning of its empire.

My 9th grade Civics teacher and 11th grade History teacher Mr. Griffith would have liked this book, and would have included it in our History curriculum. 

Here's an endorsement from another teacher:

I'm a professor at the University of California San Diego and I'm assigning this for a graduate class. No other book out there has the level of breadth on the history of US imperialism that this work provides. Even though it packs 400 pages of text (which might seem like a turnoff for non-academic readers), "How to Hide an Empire" is highly readable given Immerwhar's skills as a writer. Also, its length is part of what makes it awesome because it gives it the right amount of detail and scope.

I could not disagree more with the person who gave this book one star. Take it from me: I've taught hundreds of college students who graduate among the best in their high school classes and they know close to nothing about the history of US settler colonialism, overseas imperialism, or US interventionism around the world. If you give University of California college students a quiz on where the US' overseas territories are, most who take it will fail (trust me, I've done it). And this is not their fault. Instead, it's a product of the US education system that fails to give students a nuanced and geographically comprehensive understanding of the oversized effect that their country has around our planet.

Author Daniel Immerwahr (PhD Berkeley, 2011) is an associate professor at Northwestern University, specializing in U.S. and global history.