Destined for War by Graham Allison Summary
Overview of Destined for War
Will America and China go to war? Graham Allison's geopolitical masterpiece examines history's power transitions, where 12 of 16 cases ended in bloodshed. Required reading in both Washington and Beijing, President Biden calls Allison "one of the keenest observers of international affairs around."
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Key takeaways
When History's Most Dangerous Pattern Returns
In 1492, Portugal and Spain stood at the brink of war. Both maritime powers claimed newly discovered lands across the Atlantic, and conflict seemed inevitable. Then something remarkable happened: they turned to Pope Alexander VI, who drew a line down the middle of the world map. Everything west belonged to Spain; everything east to Portugal. The Treaty of Tordesillas prevented war for nearly a century. It sounds almost quaint now-dividing the globe with a papal pen stroke. But it worked because both sides recognized a fundamental truth: the cost of conflict would exceed any potential gain. Today, we face a far more consequential version of this dilemma. China has risen with breathtaking speed, growing from an economy just 7% the size of America's in 1980 to one that now rivals or exceeds it by certain measures. This isn't just another geopolitical shift-it's what one statesman called "the biggest player in the history of the world" entering the game. And history whispers a dark warning: when a rising power challenges a ruling one, war follows in twelve of sixteen cases. The question isn't whether this pattern applies to US-China relations, but whether we're wise enough to become the exception.
The Numbers That Changed Everything
The Ancient Pattern That Haunts Us
The War Nobody Wanted
What Xi Jinping Sees in the Mirror
How War Could Start Tomorrow
The Path We Must Choose
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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