The Imperial Cruise

James Bradley talked about his book The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War (Little, Brown and Company; November 24, 2009). The author of Flags of our Fathers, talked about his research into the origins of World War II that revealed the large diplomatic mission that President Theodore Roosevelt sent in 1905. Traveling across the Pacific, Mr. Bradley reports that Secretary of War William Howard Taft made ‘secret and unconstitutional’ agreements on President Roosevelt’s behalf that permitted Japanese expansion into the Philippines and Korea and denial of a once promised protection of Korea by the United States. Mr. Bradley argues that these events set the stage for World War II, the Chinese Communist Revolution, and the Korean War. He responded to questions submitted by members of the audience.

This edition of the “Meet the Author Series” at the Marines' Memorial Club and Hotel was held on December 2, 2009 at 6 p.m. PT. It was co-sponsored by the World Affairs Counc close