The Secret History of the American Empire

Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth about Corporate Corruption

By: John Perkins

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

In his stunning memoir, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John Perkins detailed his former role as an "hit man" operating within the international corporate skullduggery of a de facto American Empire. That riveting, behind-the-scenes exposé unfolded like a cinematic blockbuster told through the eyes of a man who once helped shape that empire.

Now, in The Secret History of the American Empire, Perkins zeroes in on hot spots around the world and, drawing on interviews with other hit men, jackals, reporters, 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 created the American Empire.

From the U.S. military in Iraq to infrastructure development in Indonesia, from Peace Corps volunteers in Africa to jackals in Venezuela, 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 for reimagining our world.

©2007 John Perkins (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"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' 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)

“Having made a splash with Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, Perkins offers similarly entertaining but disturbing accounts of the American government wreaking havoc around the world in support of American business. In Perkins's view, American presidents willingly comply with their CEO masters, distributing foreign aid to corrupt Third World leaders who keep a share and return the rest to U.S. business for major projects, leaving their nations poor and massively in debt, and requiring more loans and slavish obedience to U.S. policy. If any leader objects, the CIA destabilizes his government, by assassination if necessary.” (Publishers Weekly)

must read

This is an incredible book with invaluable information. Anyone interested in how government works and how the money system works would love this book.

good book, a little preachy

I liked the story very much but it fascinates me that the author can earn tons of money, travel all over the world and live a fantastic life then years later state that what he was doing was wrong after he collects his money and travels the globe.

Eye Opening

I was expecting to listen to a book which gave accounts of America from 1776 to now and some not well known facts. I was mistaken about that, it generally dealt with the cold war era, not exactly in chronological order either. So all that threw me off at first but then I was gripped by it, angered by it, amazed at my ignorance although I've lived in other countries. The things I've learned in this book truly makes me want to make a change in this world.

a must read for truth seekers

If you want more after reading confessions of economic hitman then this is it! He tells the same stories but with more details... John reveals how the decisions we make in the 🇺🇸 affects the world. Literally covers each continent!

Life-changing

One of the best books I ever listened to, even though it is not about mellifluous prose or any literary devices. It is even better than Confessions of an Economic Hitman. Read this today and get your eyes opened. Once you know what really goes on you can not go back to your illusions.

Eye opening, exciting, outstanding, and SAD

Everyone in America should read this book. Changed the way I fundamentally looked at things. Whether your conservative or liberal this book has value to what America has been and may be.

A Very Good Very Important Book

Everyone should give this book a read or a listen. It is so very enlightening, motivating and terrifying all at the same time.

Laws and Sausages

Just started this reading, but Perkins reminds me of the guy in my Politics 101 class long ago, very upset about United Fruit's storied past in Latin America, but who never mentioned the 15 cent bananas, and 10 cent coffee he gobbled up at the lunch hall each day. In the end, he seemed most interested in recounting his family's vacations in Latin America.

In the same way, Perkins manages to make romance out of the a business that is as unsightly as the making laws and sausages. He made his money and had his interesting life as an "EHM", and retires to becomes a labor economist for a profitable hobby. I guess it's not a moral failing to be a hypocritical if you stand up quaking and confessing to America's opinion class at $19.00 per person, or "1 credit", before making your plea that the American middle class (prices, pensions, taxes) pay for fair trade While the EC and Asian economies play catch up for limited resources.

By the way, since some reviewers are splitting hairs: those working girls (Nancy and Mary) in Indonesia were said to be Taiwanese-American, raised in Japanese "foster care" by a Japanese pimp, not "Filipino," as the reviewer asserts. Having worked in Asia, I found it convincing that they called themselves "Geisha". There aren't many fact checkers around the whirlpools. Good thing for Jack too.

should be required reading.

yeah make sure your kid knows common core math up and down, I'm sure that will matter in their life.

The Silmarillion to Confessions (LOTR)

Replete with incomplete tales of globetrotting adventures told in what amounts to linguistic blackface. The truths of John’s career are always intriguing and worth attention. However, often times he moves on without getting to the core of his actions in the region. The ending is a palm to the face apologia of capitalism. Individual responsibility, win-wins, and high road capitalism. John’s gets so close to point but just misses the mark.