Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
Book Review: Powerful Book, Every American should read
Summary: 5 Stars
This was an audiobook I picked up some time ago and didn't get into immediately because it sounded to conspiracy theory-ish. Well, after a recent road trip and coming across a lot of information that confirmed the stories, I must say it is an incredible book that has true stories told from authors personal experience which have actually made me really take a look at my life and lifestyle and change things up. I'd been a libertarian/ free market capitalist proponent and hadn't come across much to make me think there were any options better out there. I still think each of those philosophies has it's place, but our corporations are out of control, and we must all act now to keep them in their place, or stories similar to what is found in this book will likely become more and more prevalent, widespread and harmful. Book Review: Does Not Ring True
Summary: 1 Stars
I am willing to believe that the US Government has done some awful things over the last several decades (in fact, we know they have done). And so, Perkins' story is somewhat plausible. However, in reading it, I did not feel that it has the "Ring of Truth" that I look for in such an account.
Perkins is making some fairly strong accusations/statements about our government. Carl Sagan often said that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and of course Perkins cannot provide that -- we just have his unverifiable anecdotes. Perkins' narrative is framed in such a dramatic fashion, complete with quotes from conversations from the mid-to-late-seventies, that it feels slightly embellished or re-imagined. He includes details, like people taking significant pauses or how their smiles looked, that simply wouldn't be a part of any journaling/note-taking he would've done at the time. Those are details he's adding for color. And, in a work of this kind, I expect scrupulous attention to the truth.
Despite his unsavory role, Perkins always manages to describe himself as something of a hero in whatever circumstances he finds himself. Locals in every region take to him as being "the American who *gets it*", bring him in and share their secrets with him without reservation. It's too convenient. Perkins' NSA-ish contact, Claudine, is straight out of a Bond film. Why would the NSA put so much trust in a Peace Corps. volunteer with a BA in Business Management? Perkins says it's because his NSA screening test showed him to be dissolute enough to make the grade, but I imagine that there are a host of low-moral college kids that the government wouldn't bring in to the innermost cabals, straight out of school. Also, Perkins insists that Economic Hit Man is an actual job title... it makes no sense; usually, positions that people want to keep hidden are given *euphemisms* not titles that make them sound more incendiary than they actually are. Nixon's thugs were called "plumbers," not "political hit men," and actual hit men sometimes call themselves "cleaners" or such. Perkins' details seem off.
Finally, if we buy into the least part of Perkins' tales, we have to realize that he's admitting to the following: that he has for the greater part of his life acquired wealth and status by lying to people's faces, time and time again. I understand that people can change, and maybe Perkins has, but I think we must be open to the possibility that... he might be willing to lie for a buck just one more time.
I give this book one star because, while it's readable and enjoyable, and has some good information inside... I don't think it's honest. And a book of this kind must be honest, or it is worse than worthless -- it is a travesty.
Book Review: Confessions indeed.
Summary: 3 Stars
John Perkins gives a good account of his understanding of how the building blocks of empire in this new age of global finance is achieved. There is one question that I tried to answer throughout the book, but could not find the answer. John seems to feel very guilty, and attempts to purge his sins with this book. ?Are his economic "hits" just the tip of the iceberg? For that I'll have to wait to finish reading Chalmers Johnson's book Nemesis. John fails to deliver the broader vision that Chalmers does into the working of empire building and its relation to the failing republic.Book Review: Should hold the label: Fiction
Summary: 1 Stars
John Perkins reveals his hits in the economic arena. The book narrates nicely with good description of events, places and conversations. However, it is loaded with fantasies, silly scenarios and unbelievable events. This book has no facts, when facts must have been the backbone of such allegations.
When I started reading it, I though that it might be a good read like "Fundamentalist World: The New Dark Age of Dogma" by Stuart Sim who talks about the the economic fundamentalism of the World Bank. However, I was totally disappointed by the:
1)Lack of facts
2)Missing to tell us how he could convince other economists who were reviewing his work and did not agree on his economic growth arguments. What were his arguments against theirs?
3)His conversations with different locals and his apologetic behaviour through out the book
4)The fact that he told Claudine (his coach) that he will someday reveal all and she did not even rise an eyebrow. Logically, she would contact her superiors and terminate Mr. Potential Hitman.
5)On one hand he says that the House of Saud does what it sees appropriate and does not tolerate other Saudis refusing the mentioned deal/contract with the States, and on the other hand he had to buy a Saudi through providing him with blondes.
6)Other and other pieces in his narrative that makes the whole story seems not related to his true life.
I stopped reading at page 98.
This economic hit man thing might be a factual thing, but it definitely did not have John Perkins on its payroll.
Book Review: Whether you believe Perkins or not, this book should be read.
Summary: 5 Stars
Have you ever wondered how the world really, really, really works? Perkins attempts to show insight into the secretive world of global finance, emphasis on markets, and the quest for American Empire.
I really wanted to love this book, yet at times it felt more than a bit shallow. It is hard to know what is true and what may be distorted. Perhaps Perkins cannot come completely clean.
Having lived abroad for several years in the 1990's I can attest to the "Ugly-American" syndrome, and how some have contempt for foreign cultures.
Debt burden and the rise of the Corporatocracy are true and attestable. If you don't believe it, search for "Project for a new American Century" on Google. Take a look at the membership, and you will find many of the cast of characters within Perkins book.
Remember, "The greatest trick the Devil ever performed, is convincing the world he doesn't exist."
Cheers!