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  • Confessions of an Economic Hitman

  • Written by: John Perkins
  • Narrated by: Brian Emerson
  • Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (75 ratings)

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Confessions of an Economic Hitman

Written by: John Perkins
Narrated by: Brian Emerson
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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.

©2004 John Perkins (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

What listeners say about Confessions of an Economic Hitman

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Interesting Story about American Crony Capitalism

I found out afterwards that there is an updated version, "The New Confessions of an Economic Hitman." You might as well read that one instead.

The memoirs of a American crony capitalist, who's job was to take advantage of development banks and developing countries to win large engineering contracts. His story follows significant global developments from the 60's to second war in Iraq.

It was a very interesting book. This book is from the early 2000's, so some of the perspective is a bit dated. His perspective is also limited to that of someone who grew up rich, and succeeded through cronyism rather than merit. As a result, his perspective on poverty, the middle class, and business/economic development can be naive at times.

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A must read/listen - for anyone trying to understand world events, and place in the world

This book was the thread that ties together so many historical events over the past 50 years; from wars, global finance, foreign policy - and truly makes all these seemingly unrelated events over time all make sense. The overarching construction of the empire.. explains the past, and predicts the future. Thank you.. this book brought clarity to me. For good or bad, right or wrong - at least it makes sense.

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libtard author overestimates own importance

From the second chapter it becomes clear the author is more interested in telling you about how interesting he is rather than explaining international political/financial relationships in any worthwhile detail. He uses every opportunity to condemn Americans as fat, greedy and stupid. This book is bad. The narration was so-so.

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Blown away

What an amazing book and an ever more amazing and crazy story. Thank you for sharing.

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Worth it and essential!

This should be part of the reading list of every teenager in North America. If we don't learn about our history we are doomed to repeat it, and the raping of third world countries needs to stop.

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we are all responsible

we are all responsible to become aware and take action. this book provide a glimpse into that deeper awareness and calls us into action for our children's sake.

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