The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World
by John Perkins
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Book Summary Information
Author: John PerkinsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-04-29
ISBN: 0452289572
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Plume
Book Reviews of The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World
Book Review: and only a secret to most Americans
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm adding this to what I have already written below because I'm hoping you are looking for answers. There are plenty explanations of how and why and plenty of other books where you can read about the problems addressed in this book, but if you are hoping for inspiration and a means to act with a confidence that your efforts are worth while, this is it. As I read the final chapter I was more pleased than ever with any other book I have read. I had hoped as another review had indicated that there would be some positive aspect to what seemed so hopeless and unjust for most of the text. There was and it gave me hope, a kind of relief from all the issues that plague our world I have been learning about for the past several years and that have weighed upon me as each piled one on top of the other.
Reading it wasn't hard in that I was already aware of the sad things happening in our world. What is new is the light he sheds on how and why these things are happening and that becomes a validation of his understanding and knowledge of the subject, which also becomes a substantial pretext for that last chapter that sheds even more light on what needs to be done and how we can accomplish it. It is being done this very minute by many who understand because they know the secret, and hopefully by many more as time goes by. It is a great book that clears away the fog of confusion the corporatrocracy has created to keep us all good little sheep.
John Perkins' "The Secret History of the American Empire" is NONFICTION.
He is the author of "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" and he describes himself as a former economic hitman(EHM) who worked for large corporations who exploit third world countries for the profit they can gain by privatizing their resources. Essentially the rape and ravage of people and environments on a scale that only an empire could be capable of.
John as an EHM went to many various third world countries and in a very business like fashion gave leaders an ultimatum, work with us and get rich OR we will send in the jackals. The jackals usually meant coup or assassination, and that is what has happened over and over again, Iran, Iraq, and many nations in South America. This book isn't just about one or two, here or there, it is about a secret systematic attempt to dominate and reap profits at any cost.
The only people in our world who this secret has NOT been revealed to are the American public. Comfort dulls the senses and maybe we are too comfortable with our way of life. But if you have ever wondered why America has so many people of nations around the world that regard us in a negative light when we appear to give so freely in terms of aid or support, then maybe you are one of those who do not know the secret. This book doesn't just provide a piece of a puzzle that fits in a picture that could provide a few answers to why our world never seems to climb out of the heap of turmoil and injustice that plagues it. John Perkins lets you see the picture that the corporatocracy would prefer to remain a puzzle.
There will be no doubt after reading this book that Perkins has put his life on the line to expose an empire of maniacs who exploit nations and the environment, overthrowing or assassinating democratically elected leaders of third world nations who refuse to except the temptations of instant wealth instead of serving their people. It is about wealth and greed, the kind of wealth that is beyond materialism, the kind of wealth that is power, the kind of power that not only an empire is capable of, but the kind of power that can keep the secret from us as their empire dominates our world in a quest for more wealth and power. The kind of greed that is sick, sick enough to allow millions to suffer the deprivation of hunger, loss of life, and loss of the kind of true democracy that our Declaration of Independence represents. See for yourself, the secret is written on these pages for all to see.
Perkins exposes practices that are the equivalent of a psychopath who tempts a child with candy in order to lure the child into his car, except that instead of one child at a time, these psychopaths rape and ravage whole nations of people, millions suffer because of a greedy few. They have almost ruined America's reputation beyond repair, maybe so that no argument or act of good faith can ever redeem us. Although this book sheds light on a number of events, the truth can appear very dark. When whole nations suffer, indigenous people lose their livelihoods or environments that once allowed at least a subsistent existence, the truth is not only very sad, but revolting if the only reason is that it was done solely for the profits of a few self-serving monsters.
Perkins writes in a fashion that is easy to read. He is a very reflective person who let's us in his head and shares himself in a very personal way. The book flows easily, at times in a very suspenseful fashion. This book would be a great addition to any school curriculum, especially in a social studies class where our kids might wonder why our world can't find an equitable peace among nations. But even when the empire's coercive efforts result in war, the wealthy still reap big profits and education of the masses just might hurt the bottom line. Perkins has some good answers to turn this around. Surely his courage alone gives us hope, but the rest is up to us and reading this book and sharing it can go a long way by removing the veil of secrecy so that Americans once again embody the ideals and values other nations strive for.
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Summary of The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World
A riveting exposé 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 Times bestseller 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 exposé unfolded like a cinematic blockbuster told through the eyes of a man who once helped shape that empire. Now, in The Secret History of the American Empire, Perkins zeroes in on hot spots around the world and, drawing on interviews with other hit men, jackals, reporters, and activists, examines the current geopolitical crisis. Instability is the norm: It?s clear that the world we?ve created is dangerous and no longer sustainable. How did we get here? Who?s responsible? What good have we done and at what cost? And what can we do to change things for the next generations? Addressing these questions and more, Perkins reveals the secret history behind the events that have created the American Empire, including:
? The current Latin-American revolution and its lessons for democracy
? How the ?defeats? in Vietnam and Iraq benefited big business
? The role of Israel as ?Fortress America? in the Middle East
? Tragic repercussions of the IMF?s ?Asian Economic Collapse?
? U.S. blunders in Tibet, Congo, Lebanon, and Venezuela
? Jackal (CIA operatives) forays to assassinate democratic presidents
From the U.S. military in Iraq to infrastructure development in Indonesia, from Peace Corps volunteers in Africa to jackals in Venezuela, Perkins exposes a conspiracy of corruption that has fueled instability and anti-Americanism around the globe. Alarming yet hopeful, this book provides a compassionate plan to reimagine our world.
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