Dear smart people,

I read the FAQ for this subreddit -- I do hope this sort of question is permissible. I've never posted here before.

I've been reading Perception and Misperception in International Politics by Robert Jervis which raises a vast number of interesting questions about the formulation of sound foreign policy.

It's extremely difficult to read it without immediately focusing the mind on U.S.-China relations in the current context of a "rising China." Our peceptions, Chinese perceptions, our perceptions of their perceptions, etc.

Anyway, it set me thinking about British foreign policy during the period of America's rise as a global power -- not to suggest the situations are all that similar, but it seems like an interesting analog worth reading up on.

Can anyone here recommend a good British-perspective diplomatic history that focuses on the decision making processes designed to manage a "rising" U.S. making a run at potential peer competitor and challenger to British hegemony?

I'm curious what lessons there are for U.S. policymakers as the "pivot" or "rebalance" (if you're a "rebalance" kind of guy or gal) continues.

Sorry if this an obnoxious question; I don't know reddit well enough to know where a question like this ought to be asked.

Thanks!