The Secret History of the American Empire -
The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World    by John Perkins       Paperback

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 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 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.

AMAZON REVIEW

This is looking to be one of my favorites. It's personal and intriguing and reads like a good fiction novel as I'm getting to know the main character, but in fact it's nonfiction and that character is John Perkins sharing his real-life experiences. Also, every chapter is like, "whoa - no way." I knew the "policies" of US and multinational corporations were at the root of many world problems, but this book explains it more completely. The worldwide and very human (and environmental) consequences of the "corporatocracy" are truly tragic. ...Okay, finished it. Secret History should be required reading for all USers: There are other books that tell these truths, but this one includes inspiration and recommendations for change in the important last chapters.

-A Nonymous