Overthrow

America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq

By: Stephen Kinzer

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 15 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A fast-paced narrative history of the coups, revolutions, and invasions by which the United States has toppled 14 foreign governments, not always to its own benefit.

"Regime change" did not begin with the administration of George W. Bush, but has been an integral part of U.S. foreign policy for more than one hundred years. Starting with the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 and continuing through the Spanish-American War and the Cold War and into our own time, the United States has not hesitated to overthrow governments that stood in the way of its political and economic goals. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 is the latest, though perhaps not the last, example of the dangers inherent in these operations.

In Overthrow, Stephen Kinzer tells the stories of the audacious politicians, spies, military commanders, and business executives who took it upon themselves to depose monarchs, presidents, and prime ministers. He also shows that the U.S. government has often pursued these operations without understanding the countries involved; as a result, many of them have had disastrous long-term consequences.

©2006 Stephen Kinzer (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Kinzer] brings a rich narrative immediacy to all of his stories." (Publishers Weekly)
"Kinzer's narrative abounds with unusual anecdotes, vivid description, and fine detail, demonstrating why he ranks among the best in popular foreign policy storytelling." (The Washington Post's Book World)

An Audible Must Read.

What made the experience of listening to Overthrow the most enjoyable?

This is a book that is well worth the one credit.
Stephen Kinzer wrote an excellent book, Michael Prichard narrated perfectly.
A must read piece of the puzzle that helps document American history.
Easy to stay with, and facts well researched. Well done.

IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, KILL 'EM

If you thought that Junior was out of the loop with his crack-pot invasion of Iraq - read this book. He us actually part of a long tradition of US interference and actual overthrow of nations we don't like or need to control.

Fanrastic book despite Monotone reading

The content of this book really changed the way US Foreign policy is analyzed throughout the genre. However, the monotone reading really made a great narrative history lackluster.

True American History

This is how we do things in America. Detailed and Defined. Good listen.

A Must Read

This book lays out in plain language the HISTORY of the United States and our interactions with other nations around the globe.

Corruption in South American countries... why they're not stable is largely due to U.S. intervention, meddling and regime change.

Migrants coming to our borders seeking asylum, are our chickens coming home to roost.

The author gives a tour de force recounting of history... names, dates and places. You come away wondering what might have been, had we only lived up to our expressed ideals.

If you want to understand why the world is the way it is... This book is a good starting point. The only way to prevent our previous mistakes is to understand them.

Must Read despite flawed narration

I completely agree with Martha from NY.
This book is a must read. Even if you are aware of the broad outlines of covert US interventions in developing countries, this book includes subtleties, personalities, and parallels that deepen one’s understandings of these interventions. Although far from flattering to the US, the underlying message is that many of these interventions came to pass because many good people failed to stop a very few misguided, greedy and/or fixated individuals. This is an excellent book for learning from history. The narration is not a plus, but it is worth overcoming the narration and listening to fascinating book.

wonderful experience when drove in the winter

I full enjoyed this wonderful book when I drove in northen Ontario cold. Thanks a lot

the narrator is so dry and boring

it reminded me of a dronning school video. just dry and boring. put me to sleep several times and I got bored despite being very interested in the topics.

excellent information

excellent book for any historian or anyone interested in understanding how the world has been shaped by the US government.

Very informative and entertaining

Written in a factual context, while still remaining very entertaining. Provides good insight into the roots and justified feelings of other nationalities as it pertains to members of the US government and the country as a whole.