Derber (sociology, Boston College) and Magrass (sociology, U. of Massachusetts-Dartmouth) argue that America is more than ever ruled by "immoral morality," the art of wrapping up war and other horrible misdeeds in a dishonest veneer of moral and spiritual truth. The book traces the concept from Rome to the British Empire and to America where it is, unfortunately, in full flower, the authors contend. It's very readable social criticism, with a very sharp point. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)