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Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
by John Perkins

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man Cover

About This Book

ISBN13: 9780452287082
ISBN10: 0452287081
Condition: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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 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.

[A] gripping tell-all book. — The Rocky Mountain News

Astonishing. — Boston Herald

This riveting look at a world of intrigue reads like a spy novel . . . Highly recommended. — Library Journal

Here are the real-life details — nasty, manipulative, plain evil — of international corporate skullduggery spun into a tale rivaling the darkest espionage thriller. — GregPalast, author of The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

Review:

"Perkins spent the 1970s working as an economic planner for an international consulting firm, a job that took him to exotic locales like Indonesia and Panama, helping wealthy corporations exploit developing nations as, he claims, a not entirely unwitting front for the National Security Agency. He says he was trained early in his career by a glamorous older woman as one of many 'economic hit men' advancing the cause of corporate hegemony. He also says he has wanted to tell his story for the last two decades, but his shadowy masters have either bought him off or threatened him until now. The story as presented is implausible to say the least, offering so few details that Perkins often seems paranoid, and the simplistic political analysis doesn't enhance his credibility. Despite the claim that his work left him wracked with guilt, the artless prose is emotionally flat and generally comes across as a personal crisis of conscience blown up to monstrous proportions, casting Perkins as a victim not only of his own neuroses over class and money but of dark forces beyond his control. His claim to have assisted the House of Saud in strengthening its ties to American power brokers may be timely enough to attract some attention, but the yarn he spins is ultimately unconvincing, except perhaps to conspiracy buffs." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

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

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

Synopsis:

From the author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, comes an exposof international corruptionand 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.

Synopsis:

The runaway bestseller that has generated a major movie dealaand an international dialogueawith over 170,000 copies sold in hardcover and seven weeks on the New York Times list

aEconomic hit men, a John Perkins writes, a 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.a

John Perkins should knowahe 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 apound of flesha in favors, including access to natural resources, military cooperation, and political support.

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is the story of one manas 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.

a A] gripping tell-all book.aaThe Rocky Mountain News

aAstonishing.aaBoston Herald

aThis riveting look at a world of intrigue reads like a spy novel . . . Highly recommended.aa Library Journal

aHere are the real-life detailsanasty, manipulative, plain evilaof international corporate skullduggery spun into a tale rivaling the darkest espionage thriller.aaGreg Palast, author of The BestDemocracy Money Can Buy

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About the Author

John Perkins is the author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, which spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list. He is a founder and board member of Dream Change and The Pachamama Alliance, two nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating a stable, sustainable, and peaceful world.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Elizabeth Claussen, August 24, 2006 (view all comments by Elizabeth Claussen)
I am presently only in the middle of the book, but I find everything that Perkins says VERY believable. It has been clear to me for a long time that practically everything our country does is geared to "what can we make out of it," whether our corporations exploit workers of other countries, neglecting to pay taxes either to that country or to our own, our aid for disease, birth control, and famine is always tied to strings requiring the country to kowtow to our view and control, or whether we are dealing with towns, counties, or states in our own country, all being exploited for corporation benefits. It sickens me; but it gives me hope that people like Perkins have the courage to try and expose these highly kept secrets. I highly recommend the book to anyone who cares about America and the direction we are going. The book is guaranteed to catalyze many thought provoking conversations.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780452287082
Author:
Perkins, John
Publisher:
Plume Books
Author:
Perkins, John
Subject:
Business
Subject:
Conspiracy & Scandal Investigations
Subject:
Government & Business
Subject:
Economics - International
Copyright:
2006
Publication Date:
January 2006
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
303
Dimensions:
800x530x67 55
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