Confessions of an Economic Hitman

By: John Perkins

Narrated by: Brian Emerson

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the inside story of how America turned from a respected republic into a feared empire.

"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."

John Perkins should know; he was an economic hit man. His job was to convince countries that are strategically important to the U.S., from Indonesia to Panama, to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development and to make sure that the lucrative projects were contracted to Halliburton, Bechtel, Brown and Root, and other United States engineering and construction companies. Saddled with huge debts, these countries came under the control of the United States government, World Bank, and other U.S.-dominated aid agencies that acted like loan sharks, dictating repayment terms and bullying foreign governments into submission.

This extraordinary real-life tale exposes international intrigue, corruption, and little-known government and corporate activities that have dire consequences for American democracy and the world.

Listen to John Perkins discuss the book on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

©2004 John Perkins (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

most people are suffering while only a few thrive

It tells a fact that most people are suffering while only a few thrive. This world was and is not equal. Till today we are still fighting each other while the top billionaires are enjoying watching the show they and their family created. being rich is reasonable but billionaire are absolutely non-sense. Something is wrong with capitalism. Something is the one at top. They are responsible for all the mess.

Must Read

Every person in the world needs to read this book. It should be a required high school read. Americans need to read it to understand the wars their government gets involved in. People around the world must read it to understand why America attacks their countries and why the CIA manufactures fake revolutions against their incorruptible leaders. God bless.

Everyone needs to read this book

Well written, well read, and inspiring! This is the first book I've read in three years and I couldn't recommend it more.

Awesome and interesting all the way through.

Would you listen to Confessions of an Economic Hitman again? Why?

I would listen to this a 2nd time just to take it all in.

Any additional comments?

Great book, I would consider it a must read/listen.

Mindless drivel from another crazy conspiracy theorist.

If you take the time to read this book, please consider other works by the same author. The return on investment is well worth your time and money.

Must Read

If you could sum up Confessions of an Economic Hitman in three words, what would they be?

Open Your Eyes!

What other book might you compare Confessions of an Economic Hitman to and why?

I've never read anything like this book

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Trust no one.

Any additional comments?

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to see the world for what it truly is.

Perverted Corporate Power!

Corporate power aligned to 'national' interests have clearly caused havoc around the world. A new form of imperialism that is subtle and seemingly nebulous - while perverting what we think we stand for.

Terrific admission of the nature of our civilization

Fantastic truths about greed and redemption. Highly recommend it to anyone who searches for hard truths about the nature of humanity and its civilizations.

More detailed version of this book in progress

Of course there will be people who do not want to see the reality of US companies using the US government to advance their interests in developing countries. This book explains the facts in a simplified way so that the 'average American' can understand how things work. Those who don't believe the book, claiming there is not enough detail in it, will be surprised to hear that the author is writing a more detailed version with several other economic hit-man coming forward. Its just a matter of time before more people from developing countries come forward and everything is exposed to those who have the courage to face reality. The next step of course should be to make an effort to hold these greedy and unethical companies responsible.
This is an excellent book and highly recommended. Don't be distracted by the negative 1 star reviews.

I had no idea

"Confessions" is an excellent starter book to begin one's journey into understanding America's foreign policy and its [diminishing] role as Empire. Want to know how America turned from a Republic into an Empire, start with "Confessions." The storytelling is dynamic. When I want to understand material in detail, I frequently buy both the audio and the book. I start with the audio which works particularly well for this one. If you are new to or knowledgable about ECMs, Jackyls, and eventially the use of the military, this is a excellent listen. You will be amazed at how long the exploitation of TWCs has been going on. Sad to say, this book clearly lays out why so many in the Third World hate us.