Arthur Borden's A Better Country demonstrates why America was right to confront Saddam Hussein. This book analyzes the public debate over Iraq to show how partisanship has obscured the purposes of the war effort and promoted a mistaken image of American power both domestically and abroad. A Better Country reminds us that, stretching back to the presidency of Jimmy Carter and before, there had been a broad consensus over the touchstone issues of Iraq, the Middle East and the unmentionable reality of oil—until political argument became degraded by charges of betrayal and wholesale deception. Taking by turn the key points of argument-from weapons of mass destruction and the inspectors to containment and the imminence of the threat from aggressive Iraq-Borden argues that even the Administration failed to present clearly the true nature of the security risks facing America. From George Bush and Hans Blix to Meet the Press and The New York Times, this book provides a lively account of how America—over its airways, through its newspapers and thus within its living rooms—argues out the great issues of the day. Written by a veteran World War II and of the many political crises since, this book is underlined by a personal narrative about the meaning of America and of American power at its best. It renews the principle that, in rising to address security risks in an uncertain world, America itself becomes a better county.

"Written in the compact style of a lawyer, Borden lays out a compelling case for the war in Iraq being a necessary one. Reaching back to the Carter doctrine, he ably argues that Bush’s actions, and President Clinton’s, were simply extensions of this well-known doctrine. Jimmy Carter declared that the free flow of oil was critical to our nation and its economic survival and we, as a country, would do what is necessary to ensure it....The book is highly recommended to those who are tired of having to accept the conventional wisdom that has been crafted over the years and want something solid with which to fire back. Arthur Borden’s “A Better Country” delivers the necessary ammo." - The Qando Blog, November 20, 2008