Declares "the American century", the name Henry Luce gave to an era of American prosperity beginning in 1941, dead, and collects essays explaining what the American century was and meant, and why many believe it has met a premature demise.

Life at the dawn of the American century / Andrew J. Bacevich -- The origins and uses of American hyperpower / David M. Kennedy -- Consuming the American century / Emily S. Rosenberg -- The problem of color and democracy / Nikhil Pal Singh -- Pragmatic realism vs. the American century / T.J. Jackson Lears -- Toward transnationalism / Akira Iriye -- From the American century to globalization / Jeffry A. Frieden -- Illusions of an American century / Walter Lafeber -- The heavenly city of business / Eugene Mccarraher -- Not so different after all / Andrew J. Bacevich.