---
product_id: 5926312
title: "The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World (John Perkins Economic Hitman Series)"
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# The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World (John Perkins Economic Hitman Series)

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The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World (John Perkins Economic Hitman Series) [Perkins, John] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World (John Perkins Economic Hitman Series)

Review: Very Detailed First Hand Knowledge-not heard in main stream news for sure! - This Audio book was facinating and jaw dropping!....the information was very detailed from the author because he was there--all first hand stuff. This was the best history lesson I have ever experienced with real situations and names that explained a lot to me as to why the USA is often viewed poorly by people living outside the USA. If American citizens would watch less filtered US Media shows and start reading and or listening to audio books like this--we would have a MUCH better idea of the truth--of what underhanded agressive presence we have had in Asia, South America and in the Middle East and WHY!--and it isn't pretty! If leaders from around the world are listening (reading) this book (which they are).....this should be on the MUST read list of EVERY American interested in truth. John Perkins took a big risk in writing his 3 books--but his heart lead him to tell all! This is his middle book, I believe--all three are a must read as he not only "spills the beans" but he make good suggestions as to how we can clean them up for a better future!
Review: The Bleak Underside of American Pride - In order to assess this new volume I have looked at notes on John Perkins' autobiography, "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man." I have read it, but needed a refresher course, and am appalled all over again at its contents.([...]) Perkins was recruited by the international consulting firm of Charles T. Main. He was an economist, with two primary objectives: justify huge loans for countries for huge engineering and construction projects to be carried out by American companies (think Haliburton, Bechtel et al.); after the companies had been paid, he was to help engineer the debtor's bankruptcy so that country would remain indebted to their creditors and remain pliable when the US wanted `favors' like military bases, access to natural resources, etc. Starting in Indonesia in 1971, a time when Indonesia was believed to be a key to Southeast Asian stability, he made economic forecasts that won him further projects. In 1972 it was Panama. Later, Saudi Arabia came under his spell, and a deal between it and the USA was consummated. With it came a relationship between the American government and the House of Saud, the bin Laden family, and the Bush family, to the immense financial benefit of the latter. His conscience bothered him since he felt that, by following Main's directives, he was causing much harm to the client states. Iran was his breaking point. As what Perkins called the "corporatocracy" supported the Shah, which led to class wars and hatred of the American companies, and the American government which it blamed for all its woes, especially the rampant corruption and despotic government. After the turn of the year in 1979, the Shah fled the country; less than a year later the American hostages in the Embassy were taken. He quit his job at Main in 1980. "The Secret History of the American Empire" is another product of his reflections on his past and the changes in his work life. He talks a lot about American influence in Latin America, and the rise of home grown opponents to the Unite States with respect. As I learned a long time ago, every one is said to have his price; United States employees were outstanding at saving skeletons from other's closets. In fact, after learning of the trap set for President Clinton, he has that information confirmed by a retired CIA officer. Not unsurprisingly, the chickens came home to America to roost. Our policies in the Middle East blew up in our faces. Those in the Middle East caught on to our lust for oil as we established the Shah of Iran, the House of Saud, the ruling families in Kuwait and Jordan, and a friendly dictator in Egypt, and we supported Israeli militarism. They named America and the West as the enemy as the mullahs gained force, al-Qaida grew, and radical politicians replaced moderate ones, exacerbated by the hero worship of the martyrdom of suicide bombers. Here are the roots of our current political crises internationally. Moving to the continent of Africa, Perkins addresses the problems we have inherited from the European colonial expansion. Again, once there was a crack in the system, America rushed in, knowing that it was time to expand its influence. The stories are fascinating, and appalling. A letter he cites at length tells the effects of westernization seen through the eyes of an educated young woman, employed by a NGO. She balances the good that NGOs appear to do against the western influences that attack the fiber of their civilization. In sum she concludes that the bad outweighs the good and calls for a total change of system. Finally, he outlines and discusses briefly the questions essential to making the change the world needs. There are things each and all of us can do, not only in the face of global warming, but also the inequalities we see around us, not only here in the Americas, but also world-wide. Furthermore, he talked to university students who had been told, and believed, that they were America's future. I was most deeply moved by the mission statement of two high school students from Seattle who had established Global; Awareness and Change [GAC]. Perkins reduced several lines of type into this: "We commit to creating a stable, sustainable, and peaceful world far all peoples everywhere." Would that we ll could commit to this. I really urge you to get and read this book and resolve to follow at least some of the suggestions at the end. Bear in mind that if you are not to be part of the problem, you must become part of the solution.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #593,915 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #126 in International Economics (Books) #180 in Economic History (Books) #2,166 in History & Theory of Politics |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 513 Reviews |

## Images

![The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World (John Perkins Economic Hitman Series) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81eZNCg-9PL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Detailed First Hand Knowledge-not heard in main stream news for sure!
*by M***3 on May 20, 2012*

This Audio book was facinating and jaw dropping!....the information was very detailed from the author because he was there--all first hand stuff. This was the best history lesson I have ever experienced with real situations and names that explained a lot to me as to why the USA is often viewed poorly by people living outside the USA. If American citizens would watch less filtered US Media shows and start reading and or listening to audio books like this--we would have a MUCH better idea of the truth--of what underhanded agressive presence we have had in Asia, South America and in the Middle East and WHY!--and it isn't pretty! If leaders from around the world are listening (reading) this book (which they are).....this should be on the MUST read list of EVERY American interested in truth. John Perkins took a big risk in writing his 3 books--but his heart lead him to tell all! This is his middle book, I believe--all three are a must read as he not only "spills the beans" but he make good suggestions as to how we can clean them up for a better future!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Bleak Underside of American Pride
*by J***5 on December 22, 2012*

In order to assess this new volume I have looked at notes on John Perkins' autobiography, "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man." I have read it, but needed a refresher course, and am appalled all over again at its contents.([...]) Perkins was recruited by the international consulting firm of Charles T. Main. He was an economist, with two primary objectives: justify huge loans for countries for huge engineering and construction projects to be carried out by American companies (think Haliburton, Bechtel et al.); after the companies had been paid, he was to help engineer the debtor's bankruptcy so that country would remain indebted to their creditors and remain pliable when the US wanted `favors' like military bases, access to natural resources, etc. Starting in Indonesia in 1971, a time when Indonesia was believed to be a key to Southeast Asian stability, he made economic forecasts that won him further projects. In 1972 it was Panama. Later, Saudi Arabia came under his spell, and a deal between it and the USA was consummated. With it came a relationship between the American government and the House of Saud, the bin Laden family, and the Bush family, to the immense financial benefit of the latter. His conscience bothered him since he felt that, by following Main's directives, he was causing much harm to the client states. Iran was his breaking point. As what Perkins called the "corporatocracy" supported the Shah, which led to class wars and hatred of the American companies, and the American government which it blamed for all its woes, especially the rampant corruption and despotic government. After the turn of the year in 1979, the Shah fled the country; less than a year later the American hostages in the Embassy were taken. He quit his job at Main in 1980. "The Secret History of the American Empire" is another product of his reflections on his past and the changes in his work life. He talks a lot about American influence in Latin America, and the rise of home grown opponents to the Unite States with respect. As I learned a long time ago, every one is said to have his price; United States employees were outstanding at saving skeletons from other's closets. In fact, after learning of the trap set for President Clinton, he has that information confirmed by a retired CIA officer. Not unsurprisingly, the chickens came home to America to roost. Our policies in the Middle East blew up in our faces. Those in the Middle East caught on to our lust for oil as we established the Shah of Iran, the House of Saud, the ruling families in Kuwait and Jordan, and a friendly dictator in Egypt, and we supported Israeli militarism. They named America and the West as the enemy as the mullahs gained force, al-Qaida grew, and radical politicians replaced moderate ones, exacerbated by the hero worship of the martyrdom of suicide bombers. Here are the roots of our current political crises internationally. Moving to the continent of Africa, Perkins addresses the problems we have inherited from the European colonial expansion. Again, once there was a crack in the system, America rushed in, knowing that it was time to expand its influence. The stories are fascinating, and appalling. A letter he cites at length tells the effects of westernization seen through the eyes of an educated young woman, employed by a NGO. She balances the good that NGOs appear to do against the western influences that attack the fiber of their civilization. In sum she concludes that the bad outweighs the good and calls for a total change of system. Finally, he outlines and discusses briefly the questions essential to making the change the world needs. There are things each and all of us can do, not only in the face of global warming, but also the inequalities we see around us, not only here in the Americas, but also world-wide. Furthermore, he talked to university students who had been told, and believed, that they were America's future. I was most deeply moved by the mission statement of two high school students from Seattle who had established Global; Awareness and Change [GAC]. Perkins reduced several lines of type into this: "We commit to creating a stable, sustainable, and peaceful world far all peoples everywhere." Would that we ll could commit to this. I really urge you to get and read this book and resolve to follow at least some of the suggestions at the end. Bear in mind that if you are not to be part of the problem, you must become part of the solution.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perkins has done it again!
*by G***Y on July 17, 2007*

If our country manages to pull itself out it's current mess, I believe that John Perkins will deserve a lot of the credit. 'Confessions of an Economic Hit Man' seems to have given courage to so many who have been, and even still may be involved in international skulduggery, to come forward and offer information which helped him write this important and revealing must-read sequel. I believe these two books have also given inspiration to many other writers as well as courage to recent - and, I hope, future whisle blowers. I do recommend reading 'Confessions' first, if you haven't already read it. It is quick reading, exciting and informative and really sets the stage for a clear understanding and full appreciationof 'The Secret History of the American Empire'. In 'The Secret History' he also gives some important and thought provoking insights into the solution to our national/international problems and how we can do our bit, as individuals, to help.

## Frequently Bought Together

- The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World (John Perkins Economic Hitman)
- The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: How America really took over the world

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*Last updated: 2026-02-03*