Mills (American studies, Sarah Lawrence U.) presents a political biography of the Marshall Plan, from its conceptualization by Secretary of State George Marshall as a means of helping stabilize European economies with aid in the wake of World War II and drawing them closer into the American orbit through its implementation and evolution. His historical narrative is presented in part as a means of showing how the Marshall Plan differed from the political projects of those that would invoke its name in that Secretary of State Marshall was honest about the sacrifices that would have to be made for its success and in that American policy makers were flexible in working with the European allies. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)