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

Fascinating ideas

Confessions of an Economic Hitman raises some very interesting questions about the American empire, if I may call it that.

The book suggests that in pursuing profits, large US construction firms and other companies, with the collaboration of the US government, short-sidedly assume other nations need or should want to be Americanised and that they should be pleased with whatever manner and however much it costs those nations (financially and socially). They go into undeveloped countries, extract their profits, and leave the vast majority of those countries’ people in arguably much worse shape. There is probably a fair bit of truth in that.

This behaviour, coupled with US intervention in the affairs of sovereign nations by, for example, supporting dictators or paramilitary forces that the US believes furthers the its immediate interests with no regard for ramifications for people living in the affected region does seem to explain much of the anti-Americanism and terrorism the US faces.

The likely results of America’s indifference for the effects it has on non-Americans is fascinating grist for the mill and made me want to learn more about this side of international business/politics. There’s another aspect to this book though, and that’s its autobiographical angle.

While the author’s life story makes for a very entertaining read, it is at times a bit hard to swallow. The idea, for example, of shadowy and beautiful women training economic “hit men” employed by construction companies to go out and trick third world leaders into so much debt, their countries are shackled to the US stretches credibility. Not to the breaking point, but close. I got the feeling the author was providing a sexed-up version of his life, career, and international significance. Even the term “economic hit men” seems a bit over-dramatic. If that was a term of art in the world of international business, you’d think this author would not be the (seemingly) first person to use it.

I still recommend this book fairly highly if you, like me, have never consider the issues the author raises about the undesirable effects of doing business overseas.

A little overhyped, but a great read regardless

An interesting overview of the last 50 years of American intervention abroad. Whether or not you believe this all to be true depends on just who's Kool-Aid you prefer to drink, but regardless, it's a fun and oftentimes enlightening read

Interesting, but I cannot verify if it is true.

This would have a good thriller fiction without the remorse. If his tale is true then shame on us. If it isn't true then shame on the author. I haven't been able to verify the "truthiness" of all of what John Perkins writes and I don't know how I can do it.
It is a good story anyway, although clumsily written ......I'm somewhat skeptical. Not skeptical about the fact that corporations and developed nations take advantage and exploit less developed nations. I am certain that they do. I am skeptical of his contrition. Besides selling books and making a lot of money, what is this man going to do to right his admitted wrong?
Read and decide for yourself.

Lots of potential, not as good as I hoped

This book is heavy on the author's philosophy and musings, and short on actual incidents and history... it could have been a tightly written, compelling read if edited down to the plot/story line.... but as is, I kept waiting for the 'interesting' part , for the story to pick up the pace - but it never did

I had NO idea!! Must read

Thank you Mr Perkins for the history lesson that we didn't learn in school, but certainly should have. I am flabbergasted by most of what is in this book. I lived through most of this and even though I watch the news and read the newspapers at that time I never heard or understood most of what is contained in this book. Well I knew there was a level of corruption, coup d'état and overthrows I didn't realize how pandemic it was. however I always expected that the United States was in some manner responsible
For many of the wars during my lifetime. I have a feeling the author said only a fraction of what actually happened. However I would not be surprised at all to find out more information pointing in our general direction. This book is for everyone. It should be required reading.

great book and amazed how we have been operating

I love it. I willl definitely it read or listen to it again in the future.

very interesting

the sad thing about this book is that it doesn't surprise me. A lot of things like this seem shocking but then when you sit back and look at it it makes sense

Eye opening

This book is an Eye opening view into a world that operates in the shadows of our global society. While I could have done without the slanted views of Presidents Reagan & G.W. Bush, I appreciate the vulnerability & courage of the author in bringing the reality of how America is secretly & strategically manipulating the world's economy. As a former Jackal, I can testify to the validity of some of these claims, but as always,there is much more to the story.

Opens your eyes a little

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to my friends who are interested in politics or economics

Any additional comments?

I still wonder after reading the book how true it is. Really makes you think.

The reading voice sounds a bit forceful

This book obviously deserves a good rating, but the voice sounds a little forceful that your hearing are exhausted when you listen for some time.

Overall I recommend the book, especially it's a rather straight subject that's convenient to listen to on bus and on train.