The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth about Global Corruption

by John Perkins

Book Overview

A riveting expos? of international corruption?and what we can do about it, from the author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, which spent over a year on the New York Timesbestseller list.In his stunning memoir, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John Perkins detailed his former role as an economic hit man? in the international corporate skullduggery of a de facto American Empire. This riveting, behind-the-scenes expos? unfolded like a cinematic...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 052595015X
• ISBN13: 9780525950158
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 365 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A must read book for all who care about peace and humanity!

John Perkins continues in his tradition as a former economic consultant to plutocratic institutions who realized the hidden agenda of such organizations and wanted to reveal to the ordinary citizens of this country what "foreign assistance" actually entails. He uses material from his previous best seller CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMICS HIT MAN and expounds on it to provide a thorough in depth examination of the politics and intrigues of economic development projects and its profiteers. Perkins, an economist by training, documents thorougly the close ties between economics and poltical realities often with detrimental consequences for the majority of the world's citizens while benefiting certain elite groups who are determined to build a new global order. In doing so, the scarce resources of this planet are being destroyed, and unneccessary conflicts are being created to add to the coffers of these global elitists. I was so glued to this book's amazing factual information and the thorougness of Perkins' research that I found it quite difficult to put down for even a moment! I am an economics professor myself and try to conduct my classes using a real world approach rather than asking students to memorize esoteric graphs and charts which practical economists such as this author would probably scoff at. Perkins gives insight as to why many people in the world view Western aid projects subsidized by such organizations as the World Bank with skepticism and contempt. Throughout the book, Perkins exposes the "corporatacrocy," or the collusion between international bankers and multinational corporations based in the U.S. that seek to plunder and to profit from the exploitation of precious resources at the expense of native peoples, who are viewed as expendable pawns in the conquest for global domination by the plutocratic elites. This is usually done in the guise of foreign aid, which Perkins has a substantial understanding of in his former career as an "economics hit man." This is a person who tries to lure leaders in developing nations to essentially sell his/her country to the control of these multinational corporations in return for lucrative devlopment projects that benefit only a small handful of individuals while keeping the majority of the country's people in dire poverty. If the political leaders do not comply, "jackals", or political thugs are sent to disrupt the national scene. This may even lead to kidnappings, bombings, and assassinations. In extreme cases, the military forces of Western nations are sent to overthrow noncompliant leaders and to install "puppets" to serve the interests of their corporate paymasters. Witness what we have been seeing in places such as Latin America and the Middle East over the past several years! I highly recommend John Perkins' breathtaking work to any concerned citizen. He/she will be amazed at how reality differs from what politicians and business leaders would like us to believe. One of first the q

Why Do They Hate Us? Perkins Provides Answers that Won't Make You Proud

My mind reels as it did after reading "Confessions of an Economic Hitman." The obvious greed and lust for power of the American "corporatocracy" grows and continues. Can this be accurate? Can the United States have fallen so far as to rape and pillage the rest of the world? Looking at conditions around the world, feeling the hatred that so many hold for "the Americans," I am forced to believe the witness of my own eyes. Africa, South American, Middle East - American economic traps span the world. American embassies tote home the loot. America's reputation grows darker. Should we continue to wonder why they distrust and hate us? Without doubt, the events related in this volume are filtered through the mind of a single participant. Therefore, they do not and cannot reflect the whole truth. But should they be as much as 50% accurate, the implications are chilling and shameful. The United States corporatocracy is guilty of immoral and illegal acts. Like "Confessions," this volume will undoubtedly come under attack by NeoCon shills. Do yourself a favor. Ignore them. Ignore me, too. Read this book for yourself, painful though it will be, and then draw your own conclusions. Should you choose to accept the mission, Perkins suggests concrete ways you can change the world. America's can-do spirit is still alive.

A Book That Will Change the World

In his first book, Confessions of an Economic Hitman, John Perkins lifted the veil on a world rarely seen by most people. He took us on a tour of the costs and consequences of American corporate hegemony, dispelling myths of the `free market', and forcing us to peer deep into our own souls. As Perkins states in his earlier works, "The world is as you dream it," so the question is, what will you dream? Picking up where he left off, Perkins continues down the path of redemption. Once serving the masters of modern slavery, Perkins now works tirelessly to free those who have been oppressed by the corpratocracy. His thesis? Our planet cannot survive ruthless consumerism at the expense of the world and its people. When all the trees are gone, and all the oil is tapped, what will be left? Does your shirt still feel nice when you understand the suffering involved in its production? The world John Perkins envisions is one in which personal participation is crucial, and power does not rest in the hands of the few. We have everything we need to create a sustainable global society. We have the resources, the technology, and viable social models. What we need now is a vision, and the inspiration to create such a world. In 329 pages, Perkins provides us with the inspiration to fearlessly question ourselves, and the power structures that exist around us. Traveling through countries like Indonesia, Brazil, Bolivia, Iraq, and Iran, Perkins paints a picture so vivid its life-altering. This is an amazing follow-up to Confessions, and I strongly recommend this book to anyone who still believes the `free market' benefits all, or anyone who is still waving a flag. This story is brutal, harsh, and real. But the good news is: life can change. We can change. Deep down we all share common values. We all want to live peacefully, we all want to prosper, and we all want to feel love. If you wish to understand the world for how it really exists, and you seek the tools to help create positive changes, then you have to read this book. As John says, "Today is the day for us to begin to truly change the world."