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

John Perkins, "The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth about Corporate Corruption" 

From Publishers Weekly  Having made a splash with Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, Perkins offers similarly entertaining but disturbing accounts of the American government wreaking havoc around the world in support of American business. In Perkins's view, American presidents willingly comply with their CEO masters, distributing foreign aid to corrupt Third World leaders who keep a share and return the rest to U.S. business for major projects, leaving their nations poor and massively in debt, and requiring more loans and slavish obedience to U.S. policy. If any leader objects, the CIA destabilizes his government, by assassination if necessary. Gathering evidence is not Perkins's strong suit. Typically, a shadowy figure pulls him aside, insists on anonymity, then reveals all. Critics will rightfully accuse Perkins of dreadful journalism and a taste for conspiracy theories. Yet economists admit that loans and "expert advice" to poor nations are often harmful. Few deny that America has ruthlessly undermined uncooperative governments and supported dictators including Saddam Hussein. Perkins's assertions that the U.S. assassinated Ecuador's reformist president and connived at genocide in Timor and Sudan are not absurd, merely unproven. This book's greatest value may be to encourage a competent journalist to cover the same ground. (June 5)  Copyright ? Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.  From AudioFile  In this follow-up to CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMIC HIT MAN, John Perkins continues his expos of corrupt governmental and business economic policies and practices. He focuses primarily on the United States, but he also has much to say about the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The passion the author feels for his subject can be heard in the introduction, which he reads himself. Jonathan Davis projects the same intensity and sense of urgency in his precise and crisp presentation of the rest of the text. What could be a plodding and convoluted economic treatise is made compelling by the authors insider knowledge and personal anecdotes, which are enhanced by Daviss clear, fast-paced delivery. M.O.B. ? AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine