Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, 3rd Edition

Fascinating book. You get a blend of history, geopolitics, economics, and the personal journey of an economic hit man. Very well written. Easy to follow. Full of information for those of us that love true history (not the whitewashed garbage the Department of Education has been feeding the public for so long). Enjoyed this book thoroughly and I can see why it’s been such a bestseller for so long

Fantastic book definitely recommend

I’ve had this book sitting on my iPhone for a while, and finally I pushed myself to read it. For that I’m glad, for it’s a very good book. It’s an important book. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins share many similarities with the books of F. William Engdahl, especially Myths, Lies, and Oil Wars, but there are also differences. I’ll get back to where the two men disagree. Both are history books. They explain why and how the world turned into what it is today, the political landscape, the war about resources, all the money-grabbing schemes, the problem with the money system of today, and why the rich are getting richer while the poor are turning into slaves. Just like the spice merchants of old, the oil companies have a lot of power. Enough money and power to shape the world around them. Perkins talks about «corporatocracy». How the megacorporations rule the world. They choose the politicians, not the other way around. They control the narrative, and they trick the people to think they have democracy. They send out their hit men, the EHMs, they own the banks, the government. They decide what kind of money system we are forced to use. Go against them, and you risk ending up having an «accident». Originally I was going to rate the book five stars, but there are inconsistencies, factual errors, and spelling errors. Where Engdahl is clear about the origins of oil and gas, Perkins for some reason uses Big Oil’s own term Fossil Fuels. That term, alongside Peak Oil, was coined by Rockefeller, to create an illusion of scarcity, while in reality oil and gas will keep bubbling up from the deep as long as the Earth has a liquid metal core. I also wonder if Perkins is aware that mankind always has, and probably always will, exist within the Quaternary ice age? Ice ages last for millions of years, and while we’re lucky to live within an interglacial, the Quaternary isn’t likely to end anytime during the next hundred million years. He talks about CO2 and climate change, and it’s really confusing. Doesn’t he know who stood behind the Neo-Malthusian Club of Rome? A warm and green world is the best we can hope for, but scared people are always easier to rule. Perkins calls them Death and Life economies, but isn’t it really about Keynesian and the Austrian Economics? One creates hyper-inflation and regularly crashing markets, making the rich richer and the poor poorer, while the other is stable and fair, with no need for a money monopoly. While less important, there are also a few spelling errors. Sometimes our planet is called «earth» and at other times «Earth». Name of planets shall of course have a capital first letter. «Flammable» should be «inflammable» (see the writer’s bible «Elements of Style»). When talking about percentages one should choose between the forms «five percent» and «5 %». Don’t mix them. There are many more, but I’ll stop there. If you’ve read this book, don’t stop there. I also recommend Engdahl’s Myths, Lies, and Oil Wars, and Fraudcoin by Rune Østgård. These books are telling you what’s really going on.

I was fortunate to meet John Perkins in 2011 when he spoke at a Maui event hosted by my employer. As the event emcee, I worked with him backstage to prepare his introduction. I mention this before getting to the book, because it goes to his authenticity. Although he's a top-tier speaker, he's not about sensationalism - he's about connection, clarity, and truth and I was delighted to find that he's the same quality of person onstage and off. What was most helpful to me in the pages of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man 3rd Edition was the way Mr. Perkins blended his early history as an "EHM" with current events playing out on the global stage. The new chapters promoted on the cover really do add new value and relevance to this work, from the "where are they now?" updates covering his formative work in places like the Middle East and Latin America to his illuminating insights on today's EHM activity related to China and the New Silk Road. Mr. Perkins takes complex world events (many of which he personally participated in) and provides fresh perspectives that make them accessible. This is important, because he goes on to explain how "ordinary" people like myself (without a background in international politics, business, or economics) can understand these events and find grassroots ways to make a difference. In many ways it reads like some of my favorite classic spy stories, but it's all true, all rigorously documented, and ultimately, a hopeful call to positive action. I hope many will read and share this important writing.

Having read Confessions over a decade ago, the third edition is a great opportunity to go back down memory lane as well as to learn about what is currently most pressing on John Perkins mind. He provides key updates on how China has taken over and is using the Economic Hit Man model. Fascinating encounters with luminaries such as Nursultan Nazarbayev and Sergey Glazyev are described. He explains in detail the Belt & Road Initiative, China's rise and integration with the rest of the world, and the New Cold War situation we find ourselves in. He posits it's a Lose-Lose situation because despite some of the benefits China provides to countries compared to the IMF/World Bank model, it is still based on a death economy model. John gives great advice at the end of the book on how people can help change the system. All in all I was VERY pleased with the third edition and HIGHLY recommend picking up a copy!

This book will tell you how the world really works.

The book offers engaging stories and thought-provoking moments, but it often feels overshadowed by the author’s personal struggles. Rather than letting the stories stand on their own, the narrative frequently circles back to his own predicament, emotions, and internal conflicts. Every… other.. paragraph. This repetitive introspection sometimes turns the book into more of a “woe-is-me” autobiography, diluting its impact making it less entertaining.

Great book to learn about empires

This is an excellent read. John Perkins has a style which includes us, his readers, in intimate conversations with men and women of huge power and influence. He shares with us his intimate knowledge of the international power brokers who dictated the course of history. John Perkins was a part of that brokerage and in this third edition of his confessions, he speaks to us, and shares with us an unparalleled insight and knowledge into what can be described as conspiracy fact enacted on a global scale. John concludes his book with many ideas on how we, the readers can help ourselves and our friends to combat feelings of impotency in the face of the economic structures which are killing our planet. I give John hearty thanks for his courage, honesty and tenacity in the writing of this brilliantly written book. Thank you John.

Great book

An exceptional book. A must read

Where do I begin… if you are interested in learning how corporations and the US government make things happen around the world, read this. It’s an essential read.