Rotary International and the Selling of American Capitalism

Few historians are able to produce a book that is thoroughly argued, painstakingly documented, and written with a lucid (at times biting) prose. Brendan Goff's book does exactly that. It is an important book for historians of the US and its place in the world. Goff expertly explores the broad transnational networks of businessmen that Rotary International weaved during the first quarter of the 20th century to illustrate American capitalism immense appeal. But Goff's book should reach a larger audience, particularly the legions of Rotary members scattered across the English-speaking world. In it the Rotarians of Main Street and Wall Street alike will find a highly readable and critical yet fair account of their international organization.

As a millennial, I knew little about Rotary Clubs. I would see the signs across the USA, but would never fully appreciate its impact on social networking, and global capitalism. This book clearly describes the roots of rotatory clubs, and influence world-wide.

As a Rotarian, I found this book fascinating at what our Rotary founders were able to accomplish in the days before mass transit and internet. The Rotary history written for the first time as it related to the happenings of the day. Every Rotarian should read this book.

The author wants to prove a theory and bends and twists Rotary as his case study. The title and most of the content imply that Rotary overtly (or naively) pitches capitalism to the world. It is true that Rotary was formed on western culture and values. Indeed that may be what makes Rotary so attractive to other cultures. The author correctly points out that other organizations like Lions (the largest) , Kiwanis, and others tend to follow Rotary's lead.Today American Rotarians are less than 50% of total membership - and most leaders are from countries with socialist values. And thus Rotary is changing from a bottom up organization where clubs and individuals make the decisions to a centralist outfit with top down management. This is perhaps illustrated by the monthly news magazine which recently changed it's name from "The Rotarian Magazine" to "The Rotary Magazine".