Bound by War: How the United States and the Philippines Built America’s First Pacific Century

In this thorough accounting of the military relationship between the United States and the Philippines, Capozolla (history, MIT; Uncle Same Wants You) effectively traces the complicated, often conflicted relationship between the two countries throughout the years, beginning with the Spanish-American War in 1898. The narrative covers the American colonization of the Philippines, which began in 1898 and lasted until 1946, when the country declared independence. In this comprehensive history, the author describes pivotal events that affected the relationship between the two countries, such as the Bataan Death March during World War II as well as Filipino efforts to assist the United States during the Cold War and after the September 11 attacks. The book also explores how both countries responded as Filipinos emigrated to America for work, and are often overrepresented in the U.S. military. This is more than a story of American militarism and racism; Capozolla is correct when he states that his account is a history of foreign relations as much or more than of foreign policy.