# Preface to the Fourth American Edition explained — The Great Illusion > Chapter companion for The Great Illusion by Norman Angell. ## What happens In this preface, Norman Angell explains the expansion of the fourth American edition, attributing it to recent events that illuminate the book's thesis. He emphasizes the relevance of the principles to American interests, particularly regarding relations with Spanish American states, Japan, and the Philippines, and underscores the universal application of economic interdependence. He notes revisions, including a rewritten chapter on the French Indemnity and Part III, and clarifies his personal background as an English-born American citizen. The preface outlines the book's structure, reiterating that war is futile rather than impossible, and stresses the importance of public opinion in resolving armament issues. ## Themes in this chapter ### Interdependence of Nations Angell highlights the financial and commercial interdependence that binds American interests to European events, forming the basis of his argument. ### Role of Public Opinion The preface stresses that progress depends on the improvement of public opinion, and that American opinion must understand these principles to deal with its own foreign relations. ### Economic Futility of War Angell reiterates the book's central thesis that war is futile, even when victorious, in securing moral or material ends for modern civilized peoples. ## Character check-ins ### Norman Angell Author of the preface, explaining revisions and the book's relevance to American and European problems. ## Key lines > It is certain that opinion in America will not be equipped for dealing with her own problems arising out of her relations with the Spanish American states, with Japan, with the Philippines, unless it has some fair understanding of the principles with which this book deals. Americans cannot effectively address their foreign policy challenges without grasping the book's core principles. _Angell argues that understanding these principles is essential for American foreign policy._ > The thesis on its economic side is discussed in terms of the gravest problem which now faces European statesmanship, but these terms are also the living symbols of a principle of universal application, as true with reference to American conditions as to European. Although the economic argument is framed around Europe's most serious issue, the underlying principle applies equally to America. _Angell emphasizes the universal relevance of economic interdependence._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/preface-to-the-fourth-american-edition - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_illusion_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters