swgdy's review against another edition
3.0
It goes without saying that the contents of this book are not just important, but crucial for anyone who seeks to understand the world order. Perkins does a good job at stating facts in a way that is engaging and informative – highlighting key events from the late 20th century to date this new edition was written (2015). However, the more you read, the more clear it becomes that he is writing to an American audience. His use of 'we' and 'us' make that very blunt. This is not to say that he has a Americentric perspective, but his focus on how this is 'happening at home' in a way that's supposed to surprise the reader left me emotionally unmoved lol. He additionally seems to emphasize his guilt more and more that, by the end of the last chapter, it just sounds forced and apologetic. Nonetheless, Perkins' book is a necessary read. It's credible and easy to understand. You don't need to know economics, politics, or be well versed in history. You can pick up this book and get an accessible path to knowledge that forms a crucial lens to how you see the world we're living in. But this book is not enough. His final chapters (of the new version) seem overly optimistic and kind of cliche in my opinion. Which I found ironic, given his direct involvement with such a violent system that literally resorts to murder when people choose to act against its interests. The 'Things You Can Do' chapter sings that same song. Its nothing I haven't heard or read before.
The book was 4 stars for me until I got to the last third. But still, it's a valuable read and I'd recommend it.
The book was 4 stars for me until I got to the last third. But still, it's a valuable read and I'd recommend it.
reggiewoods's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
In the early 50s Kermit Roosevelt Jr. orchestrated a coup in Iran and through economic models encouraged the taking on of debt to build up infrastructure leading to future economic prosperity; the real goal was to use the debt to put Iran in the USAs pocket. His tactics would be emulated by private corporations through euphemistically named Economic Hitmen like John Perkins for the next several decades. Perkins recounts his career as an “EHM” and the countries he helped to devastate to boost corporate interests. Perkins knows he sold his soul for a glamorous life and spend the second part of the book detailing his regret and wishes to make amends. The new edition brings us into modern times and explains how the tactics of EHMs are more prevalent than ever and how they’ve spread from victimizing 3rd world governments to US citizens (using Student loan debt as an example). It’s a scathing critique of globalization, and an insightful economic/geopolitical history of the last 70 years from an insider. He tells his tale wonderfully, but with a lot of bravado, and he does get a little preachy when proselytizing on how we can change the system, coming from someone who is still profiting off of it. It feels like a true postmodernist history where the shadowy consulting firms are making more of an impact than your vote ever has or will.
amarieads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
1mimi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
You wanted to know, now you do. The world is a strange place. And evidence is out there but John Perkins wraps it up in a book. So down the rabbit hole you go. while trying to understand the Economy and the world.
ciikum's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of documentation to go thru after reading it. History galore... if we all take one step towards the life economy our world will be a happier place.
j_claus12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5