The Shock Doctrine

The Rise of Disaster Capitalism

By: Naomi Klein

Narrated by: Jennifer Wiltsie

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

The bestselling author of No Logo shows how the global "free market" has exploited crises and shock for three decades, from Chile to Iraq

In her groundbreaking reporting, Naomi Klein introduced the term "disaster capitalism." Whether covering Baghdad after the U.S. occupation, Sri Lanka in the wake of the tsunami, or New Orleans post-Katrina, she witnessed something remarkably similar. People still reeling from catastrophe were being hit again, this time with economic "shock treatment," losing their land and homes to rapid-fire corporate makeovers.

The Shock Doctrine retells the story of the most dominant ideology of our time, Milton Friedman's free market economic revolution. In contrast to the popular myth of this movement's peaceful global victory, Klein shows how it has exploited moments of shock and extreme violence in order to implement its economic policies in so many parts of the world from Latin America and Eastern Europe to South Africa, Russia, and Iraq.

At the core of disaster capitalism is the use of cataclysmic events to advance radical privatization combined with the privatization of the disaster response itself. Klein argues that by capitalizing on crises, created by nature or war, the disaster capitalism complex now exists as a booming new economy, and is the violent culmination of a radical economic project that has been incubating for fifty years.

©2007 Naomi Klein (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Great Book

This is absolutely a book worth reading, interesting insights and connections albeit at times far reaching. Even as a conservative I enjoyed naomi's perspectives

Everyone needs this book.

This book is great! I wish it had been read by the author, but the reader is a good second. The book itself is absolutely wonderful, if not heartbreaking.
Everyone should have this one in their library.

Worth every cent and every minute

A very informative account of what goes wrong when deregulation and government privatization are taken too far. Unlike many books of this type, Klein never gets repetitive or preachy. I would have given it five stars except that having the unabridged version would be even better.

The writing is interesting and easy to follow even on audio. The narrator did an excellent job of giving just the right amount of emphasis without being overly dramatic.

Essential reading for understanding

the contemporary world order and post-war history. Everyone should read this who is interested in political history and economics.

Good narrator.

A must read for understanding the modem era.

Illustrates the effects of shock, the (sometimes religious) nihilism of the powerful framers of the violence in Chile, the fall of the Soviet Union, Iraq. Offers a glimpse of hope at the end.

Illuminating

I've been wanting to read this book for a while, and it didn't disappoint. Klein describes in great detail the systems in which crises are used to implement massive privatization of public services, using well-researched examples from across the globe. This is an abridged version of the physical book, which I didn't notice until after I bought it. That said, it was good enough that I plan to read the full version. It's been surreal to read this during the Covid-19 pandemic as these privatization measures happen right in front of us.

Amazingly depressing

Great book but depressing when you realize the likelihood of ecofascism due to climate change

Super important book to understand current events

Super important interesting book that is well researched and well argued. Explains the trump playbook and allows us to see what his backers aim to achieve by breaking America.

Excellent

This is an excellent book even though it's abridged which I normally wouldn't listen to but on the other hand, by the time it's over I was so upset with our political system it may be just as well. Like many books of research etc. some of the things you discover are not pleasing. Everyone should listen to it and think seriously about what they see going on around them. You'll have to listen to something fun and light after this though.

ON POINT!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Shock Doctrine to be better than the print version?

I never read the print version, but the audio version was disturbing enough!

What other book might you compare The Shock Doctrine to and why?

Not a book so much as a Documentary by Michael Moore; "Capitalism, A Love Story."

What about Jennifer Wiltsie’s performance did you like?

Excellent performance!

If you could give The Shock Doctrine a new subtitle, what would it be?

"How To Destroy Civilization!"

Any additional comments?

The Shock Doctrine is disturbing...because by now we can SEE the truth of it! Sadly most Americans will NOT see the truth staring them in the face.