John Perkins
John Perkins has lived four lives: as an Economic Hit Man; as the CEO of a successful alternative energy company; as an expert on indigenous cultures, shamanism, ecology and environmental movements; and as a writer who, in telling the real-life story of his extraordinary experiences, has exposed the world of international intrigue and corruption that is turning the American republic into a global empire despised by increasing numbers of people around the world.
As an Economic Hit Man, Perkins’ job was to convince Third World countries to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development – loans that were much larger than needed – and to guarantee that the development projects were contracted to U.S. corporations like Halliburton and Bechtel. Once these countries were saddled with huge debts, the U.S. government and the international aid agencies allied with it were able to control these economies and to ensure that oil and other resources were channeled to serve the interests of building a global empire.
In his stunning memoir, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, a startling expose of international corruption, which spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list and has been published in more than thirty languages, Perkins detailed his former role as an Economic Hit Man in the international corporate skullduggery of a de facto American Empire.
In his next book, which hit shelves on June 5, 2007, The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth About Global Corruption, Perkins describes the post-WWII era as one that created history's first truly global empire -- mostly through economics, rather than the military. Now we find ourselves catapulted toward a future that appears catastrophic to many people; however, in Perkins's view it offers great opportunities. Identifying corporations as "the most influential institutions on the planet," he challenges us to transform ourselves and the companies that so deeply impact our lives.
Perkins zeroes in on hot spots around the world, and drawing on interviews with other hit men, jackals, reporters, government officials, and activists, examines the current geopolitical crisis. Instability is the norm—it’s clear that the world we’ve created is dangerous and no longer sustainable. How did we get here? Who’s responsible? What good have we done and at what cost? And what can we do to change things for the next generations? Addressing these questions and more, Perkins reveals the secret history behind the events that have defined our world, including:
• The current Latin American Revolution and its lessons for democracy
• How the “Defeats” in Vietnam and Iraq benefited big business
• The role of Israel as Fortress America in the Middle East
• Tragic repercussions of the IMF’s “Asian Economic Collapse”
• US blunders in Tibet, Congo, Lebanon, and Venezuela
• Jackal (CIA operatives) forays to assassinate democratic presidents
From the U.S. military in Iraq to infrastructure development in Indonesia, from Peace Corps volunteers in Africa to Jackals in the Indian Ocean, Perkins exposes a conspiracy of corruption that has fueled instability and anti-Americanism around the globe. Alarming yet hopeful, this book provides a compassionate plan to re-imagine our world.
"A sweeping, bold assault on the tyranny of corporate globalization, full of drama and adventure, with devastating stories of greed run wild. But Perkins is undaunted, and offers imaginative ideas for a different world." - Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States
“John Perkins's new book is both an eye-opening expose of global corruption and a fascinating story of adventure and intrigue. This devastating indictment of current economic policies also offers hope by showing the power of the growing movement toward a caring economics worldwide.” - Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice and The Blade
and The Real Wealth of Nations
John is a founder and board member of Dream Change and the Pachamama Alliance, nonprofit organizations devoted to creating a stable, sustainable, and peaceful world. He has lectured and taught at universities on four continents.
John’s courage in writing these books and speaking out against his former bosses exemplifies the courage shown by our Founding Fathers and Mothers when they stood up to the British Empire. Like them, John defied threats and bribes; he took action. His courage serves as an example for all of us. As he proclaims at the end of Secret History, “Now is the time for us to change the world.”
In his lectures, Perkins portrays the post-WWII era as one that created history's first truly global empire -- mostly through economics, rather than the military. Now we find ourselves catapulted toward a future that appears catastrophic to many people; however, in Perkins' view it offers great opportunities. Identifying corporations as "the most influential institutions on the planet," he challenges us to transform ourselves and the companies that so deeply impact our lives. He presents an approach for creating a world "that will make our children proud of us."
John Perkins has lived four lives: as an Economic Hit Man; as the CEO of a successful alternative energy company; as an expert on indigenous cultures, shamanism, ecology and environmental movements; and as a writer who, in telling the real-life story of his extraordinary experiences, has exposed the world of international intrigue and corruption that is turning the American republic into a global empire despised by increasing numbers of people around the world.
As an Economic Hit Man, Perkins’ job was to convince Third World countries to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development – loans that were much larger than needed – and to guarantee that the development projects were contracted to U.S. corporations like Halliburton and Bechtel. Once these countries were saddled with huge debts, the U.S. government and the international aid agencies allied with it were able to control these economies and to ensure that oil and other resources were channeled to serve the interests of building a global empire.
In his stunning memoir, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, a startling expose of international corruption, which spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list and has been published in more than thirty languages, Perkins detailed his former role as an Economic Hit Man in the international corporate skullduggery of a de facto American Empire.
In his next book, which hit shelves on June 5, 2007, The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth About Global Corruption, Perkins describes the post-WWII era as one that created history's first truly global empire -- mostly through economics, rather than the military. Now we find ourselves catapulted toward a future that appears catastrophic to many people; however, in Perkins's view it offers great opportunities. Identifying corporations as "the most influential institutions on the planet," he challenges us to transform ourselves and the companies that so deeply impact our lives.
Perkins zeroes in on hot spots around the world, and drawing on interviews with other hit men, jackals, reporters, government officials, and activists, examines the current geopolitical crisis. Instability is the norm—it’s clear that the world we’ve created is dangerous and no longer sustainable. How did we get here? Who’s responsible? What good have we done and at what cost? And what can we do to change things for the next generations? Addressing these questions and more, Perkins reveals the secret history behind the events that have defined our world, including:
• The current Latin American Revolution and its lessons for democracy
• How the “Defeats” in Vietnam and Iraq benefited big business
• The role of Israel as Fortress America in the Middle East
• Tragic repercussions of the IMF’s “Asian Economic Collapse”
• US blunders in Tibet, Congo, Lebanon, and Venezuela
• Jackal (CIA operatives) forays to assassinate democratic presidents
From the U.S. military in Iraq to infrastructure development in Indonesia, from Peace Corps volunteers in Africa to Jackals in the Indian Ocean, Perkins exposes a conspiracy of corruption that has fueled instability and anti-Americanism around the globe. Alarming yet hopeful, this book provides a compassionate plan to re-imagine our world.
"A sweeping, bold assault on the tyranny of corporate globalization, full of drama and adventure, with devastating stories of greed run wild. But Perkins is undaunted, and offers imaginative ideas for a different world." - Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States
“John Perkins's new book is both an eye-opening expose of global corruption and a fascinating story of adventure and intrigue. This devastating indictment of current economic policies also offers hope by showing the power of the growing movement toward a caring economics worldwide.” - Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice and The Blade
and The Real Wealth of Nations
John is a founder and board member of Dream Change and the Pachamama Alliance, nonprofit organizations devoted to creating a stable, sustainable, and peaceful world. He has lectured and taught at universities on four continents.
John’s courage in writing these books and speaking out against his former bosses exemplifies the courage shown by our Founding Fathers and Mothers when they stood up to the British Empire. Like them, John defied threats and bribes; he took action. His courage serves as an example for all of us. As he proclaims at the end of Secret History, “Now is the time for us to change the world.”
In his lectures, Perkins portrays the post-WWII era as one that created history's first truly global empire -- mostly through economics, rather than the military. Now we find ourselves catapulted toward a future that appears catastrophic to many people; however, in Perkins' view it offers great opportunities. Identifying corporations as "the most influential institutions on the planet," he challenges us to transform ourselves and the companies that so deeply impact our lives. He presents an approach for creating a world "that will make our children proud of us."
