Synopses & Reviews
From the author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, comes an exposé of international corruption, and an inspired plan to turn the tide for future generations
With a presidential election around the corner, questions of America's military buildup, environmental impact, and foreign policy are on everyone's mind. Former Economic Hit Man John Perkins goes behind the scenes of the current geopolitical crisis and offers bold solutions to our most pressing problems. Drawing on interviews with other EHMs, jackals, CIA operatives, reporters, businessmen, and activists, Perkins reveals the secret history of events that have created the current American Empire, including:
- How the defeats in Vietnam and Iraq have benefited big business
- The role of Israel as Fortress America in the Middle East
- Tragic repercussions of the IMF's Asian Economic Collapse
- The current Latin American revolution and its lessons for democracy
- U.S. blunders in Tibet, Congo, Lebanon, and Venezuela
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, with consequences reflected in our daily headlines. Having raised the alarm, Perkins passionately addresses how Americans can work to create a more peaceful and stable world for future generations.
Review
"Astonishing." Boston Herald
Review
"This riveting look at a world of intrigue reads like a spy novel....Highly recommended." Library Journal
Review
"John Perkins was for 10 years a player in a high-stakes game of global empire. Confessions of an Economic Hit Manis his very personal account of the events that forced him to choose between conscience and a glamorous life of power, luxury and beautiful women. It is also an adventure thriller worthy of Graham Green or John Le Carré that connects the dots between corporate globalization, American Empire, and the dynasty of the House of Bush." David C. Korten, Dragonfly Review
Review
"John Perkins has written a book that shakes one's confidence in the ethics of the prevailing economic system. We are in troubling times and need to understand realistically the price we are paying for the 'free' market we enjoy. Perkins has written an extraordinary tale." Jim Garrison, author of America As Empire, President of the State of the World Forum
Review
"Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a unique book, brave because it is personal....This book possesses an immediacy that separates it from the numerous studies we already have of American Empire. It comes from the heart. I highly recommend it." Michael Brownstein, author of World on Fire
Review
"Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a brave and potent book written by a man whose commitment to the truth transcends any personal concerns about revealing his own previous blindness....This is a stunning and groundbreaking book that is a must-read for anyone who cares about our world." Lynne Twist, global activist and author of The Soul of Money
Synopsis
Perkins, a former chief economist at a Boston strategic-consulting firm, confesses he was an "economic hit man" for 10 years, helping U.S. intelligence agencies and multinationals cajole and blackmail foreign leaders into serving U.S. foreign policy and awarding lucrative contracts to American business.
Synopsis
The runaway bestseller that has generated a major movie deal — and an international dialogue — with over 170,000 copies sold in hardcover and seven weeks on the
New York Times bestseller list!
"Economic hit men," John Perkins writes, "are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder. They play a game as old as Empire but one that has taken on terrifying dimensions during this time of globalization."
John Perkins should know — he was an economic hit man for an international consulting firm that worked to convince developing countries to accept enormous loans and to funnel that money to U.S. corporations. Once these countries were saddled with huge debts, the American government and international aid agencies were able to request their "pound of flesh" in favors, including access to natural resources, military cooperation, and political support. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is the story of one man's experiences inside the intrigue, greed, corruption and little-known government and corporate activities that America has been involved in since World War II, and which have dire consequences for the future of democracy and the world.
About the Author
John Perkins is founder and president of the Dream Change Coalition, which works closely with Amazonian and other indigenous people to help preserve their environments and cultures. From 1971 to 1981 he worked for the international consulting firm of Chas.T. Main, where he became chief economist and director of economics and regional planning. Perkins has lectured and taught at universities and learning centers on four continents and is a regular lecturer for the Omega Center.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface ix
Prologue xvi
Part I 1963-1971
1 An Economic Hit Man Is Born 3
2 "In for Life" 12
3 Indonesia: Lessons for an EHM 20
4 Saving a Country from Communism 23
5 Selling My Soul 28
Part II 1971-1975
6 My Role as Inquisitor 37
7 Civilization on Trial 42
8 Jesus, Seen Differently 47
9 Opportunity of a Lifetime 52
10 Panama's President and Hero 58
11 Pirates in the Canal Zone 63
12 Soldiers and Prostitutes 67
13 Conversations with the General 71
14 Entering a New and Sinister Period in Economic History 76
15 The Saudi Arabian Money-laundering Affair 81
16 Pimping, and Financing Osama bin Laden 93
Part III 1975-1981
17 Panama Canal Negotiations and Graham Greene 101
18 Iran's King of Kings 108
19 Confessions of a Tortured Man 113
20 The Fall of a King 117
21 Colombia: Keystone of Latin America 120
22 American Republic versus Global Empire 124
23 The Deceptive Resume 131
24 Ecuador's President Battles Big Oil 141
25 I Quit 146
Part IV 1981-Present
26 Ecuador's Presidential Death 153
27 Panama: Another Presidential Death 158
28 My Energy Company, Enron, and George W. Bush 162
29 I Take a Bribe 167
30 The United States Invades Panama 173
31 An EHM Failure in Iraq 182
32 September 11 and its Aftermath for Me, Personally 189
33 Venezuela: Saved by Saddam 196
34 Ecuador Revisited 203
35 Piercing the Veneer 211
Epilogue 221
John Perkins Personal History 226
Notes 230
Index 240
About the Author 248