John Perkins' "The Secret History of the American Empire" is NONFICTION.
He is the author of "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" and he describes himself as a former economic hitman(EHM) who worked for large corporations who exploit third world countries for the profit they can gain by privatizing their resources. Essentially the rape and ravage of people and environments on a scale that only an empire could be capable of.

John as an EHM went to many various third world countries and in a very business like fashion gave leaders an ultimatum, work with us and get rich OR we will send in the jackals. The jackals usually meant coup or assassination, and that is what has happened over and over again, Iran, Iraq, and many nations in South America. This book isn't just about one or two, here or there, it is about a secret systematic attempt to dominate and reap profits at any cost.

The only people in our world who this secret has NOT been revealed to are the American public. Comfort dulls the senses and maybe we are too comfortable with our way of life. But if you have ever wondered why America has so many people of nations around the world that regard us in a negative light when we appear to give so freely in terms of aid or support, then maybe you are one of those who do not know the secret. This book doesn't just provide a piece of a puzzle that fits in a picture that could provide a few answers to why our world never seems to climb out of the heap of turmoil and injustice that plagues it. John Perkins lets you see the picture that the corporatocracy would prefer to remain a puzzle.

There will be no doubt after reading this book that Perkins has put his life on the line to expose an empire of maniacs who exploit nations and the environment, overthrowing or assassinating democratically elected leaders of third world nations who refuse to except the temptations of instant wealth instead of serving their people. It is about wealth and greed, the kind of wealth that is beyond materialism, the kind of wealth that is power, the kind of power that not only an empire is capable of, but the kind of power that can keep the secret from us as their empire dominates our world in a quest for more wealth and power. The kind of greed that is sick, sick enough to allow millions to suffer the deprivation of hunger, loss of life, and loss of the kind of true democracy that our Declaration of Independence represents. See for yourself, the secret is written on these pages for all to see.

Perkins exposes practices that are the equivalent of a psychopath who tempts a child with candy in order to lure the child into his car, except that instead of one child at a time, these psychopaths rape and ravage whole nations of people, millions suffer because of a greedy few. They have almost ruined America's reputation beyond repair, maybe so that no argument or act of good faith can ever redeem us. Although this book sheds light on a number of events, the truth can appear very dark. When whole nations suffer, indigenous people lose their livelihoods or environments that once allowed at least a subsistent existence, the truth is not only very sad, but revolting if the only reason is that it was done solely for the profits of a few self-serving monsters.

Perkins writes in a fashion that is easy to read. He is a very reflective person who let's us in his head and shares himself in a very personal way. The book flows easily, at times in a very suspenseful fashion. This book would be a great addition to any school curriculum, especially in a social studies class where our kids might wonder why our world can't find an equitable peace among nations. But even when the empire's coercive efforts result in war, the wealthy still reap big profits and education of the masses just might hurt the bottom line. Perkins has some good answers to turn this around. Surely his courage alone gives us hope, but the rest is up to START TRANSACTION WITH CONSISTENT SNAPSHOT; /* 110 = 2550ae2bdfa65ce48e734fe9b98d2fa4