Hoodwinked: An Economic Hit Man Reveals Why the World Financial Markets Imploded--And What We Need to Do to Remake Them

by John Perkins

Book Overview

John Perkins has seen the signs of today's economic meltdown before. The subprime mortgage fiascos, the banking industry collapse, the rising tide of unemployment, the shuttering of small businesses... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307589927
• ISBN13: 9780307589927
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Broadway Books
• Length: 243 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

'Part II: The Solution' is more actionable than you may think

I feel no need to add to the reviews in appreciation of Perkin's first hand account of how we've used Friedman-based economic policy to generate the crises we find ourselves surrounded by. If you can't believe the kind of thing he's seen and reports on is actually happening there are many books that provide further substantiation - such as A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present (P.S.). I want to delve deeper into `Part II: The Solution', in response to those who think we cannot/willnot change. In Part II, Perkins presents a solid framework for effective action through five pathways for change: 1. Accepting consumer responsibility 2. Creating a new economy 3. Adopting attitudes that encourage good stewardship and make icons of a new type of hero 4. Implementing new rules for business and government 5. Honoring our individual passions These are all fully actionable, and initial small steps are accessible to anyone. #1 is a simple, extremely effective pathway to change via individual acts - and doable even if you're over-busy and strapped for cash (see [...] - the latter two in Perkin's book). It may require some re-orientation of priorities - for instance, buying less stuff or more used or less processed food or less meat in order to have funds to make a higher proportion of purchases from fair, environmentally responsible companies. Many of my friends make - and spend - very little, but make their remaining purchases with this level of care. #5 is the best pathway out of apathy out there (not to mention making life way more interesting and fun). Find the place where your talents and passions meet the world's need and, however slowly, start moving in that direction. It's bound to be a better party than the apathy crowd puts on. With #3, any parent, child, teacher, friend can influence those they're close to by shifting attitudes, behavior, and what and who you choose to admire and discuss. Cultures change, sometimes rapidly, and largely via social networks. Those in the media (or with friends and family in media) can play a wider role, but we all can make a difference here without any extra money or time - just a shift of emphasis. #2 and #4 are to me perhaps the most key, and admittedly harder to see how to act on. Anyone who starts or runs a business based on ethical and green principles or develops a new green technology or service is working on #2, but so is anyone who supports organizations (such as [...]) that are developing and enabling alternative economic approaches. #2 is also #1,4 and 5 combined. Anyone can help create a new economy by using your $ to support things in that economy (#1), and by buying less stuff and using your resulting economic flexibility to make your life fulfill your passions (#5), and to also give $ to support those fighting for #4. For #4, big battles are going on right now all over the world. Here's where giving support to groups making change (like [...] or [...]) and adding your voic

Hoodwinked

I was really amazed when reading this book that these things actually go on. OK, call me naive but the thought that our government and large corporations send businessmen (ie hitmen) to other countries with the sole intention of conning them into giving us their natural resources and going into debt just disgusts me. John Perkins really opens readers eyes to what's going on in the global market. He gives an insight into the global meltdown that many people haven't previously considered. He discusses how just a few large corporations own much of the capital, land and resources around the world and he talks about how these corporations influence and control our politicians. The second part of Hoodwinked talks about the solution to the problem. He discusses how we can create a healthy economy that encourages businesses to act responsibly and by doing this to create a more sustainable world. I think this is a really valuable book for people to read. It will truly open your eyes to the ways our government and corporations work and it will get you thinking about ways to fix capitalism. I do agree with John Perkins. I think capitalism can be fixed and I think it's a worthy system that deserves to be fixed.

Reading it will simultaneously anger and depress you

Although I am a longtime political and news junkie, it is not possible for me to accurately determine the truth of all the claims that are made in this book. However, I do know a great deal of history and have some knowledge of economics so I can reach conclusions on many of the claims. Where I am able, I can confirm the accuracy of what Perkins puts forward. Perkins is a self-proclaimed former "economic hit man" (EHM), a person whose job is to convince people to accept his economic claims to the long-term detriment of their country or organization. He describes some of the tactics used to press a form of economic imperialism on other countries, where their leaders are pressed to accept loans, allow multi-national corporations to enter the country and engage in rapacious development and describes the consequences if the leaders try to assert independence. Perkins also goes into detail and explains how similar tactics have been applied in the United States, where there is the increasing consequence of wealth being concentrated in a smaller and smaller economic elite. He has very harsh words for some of the most praised business leaders, especially for the often-praised Jack Welch and Sam Walton, former CEO of General Electric and founder of Wal-Mart respectively. This is a book that will simultaneously anger and depress you, the anger will be generated from the knowledge that the United States is more and more being governed by the equivalent of a corporate theocracy where the basis of the religion is the ruthless acquisition of wealth. Since the odds are approximately four to one that you are a victim of this movement and your real earnings have declined as a consequence, frustration and depression are a natural consequence of reading about how it has happened.

Ryan McKenney - Vermont

Every consumer in the States should read this book! John Perkins does an exceptional job of guiding you through the troubles and atrocities that our country has burdened not only ourselves, but the rest of the world, through greed and deception. This is a must read for everyone, especially if you have young children, grandchildren, or plan on having children. It is time for us to sustain a future for generations to come. If we don't, as John explains in his book, there will be a disastrous outcome. Read this book and recommend it to friends and family. It will take time, but with passion, dedication, and hard work we can change the world. My thanks goes out to John Perkins for sharing his knowledge and showing his dedication.

Hoodwinked Truly Revelatory

If there is only one book you read in the next month to understand on a very deep level what has happened to our nation and our financial market, you must read this one. Perkins, author of the previous "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" has created a gripping, astonishing and purposeful book. If you only read the chapter on "Modern Robber Barons" the book will well worth the investment. Are you at all curious about the 355 billionaires in the United states? You should be. This book is not only a powerful and stunning story, but it also offers great hope and actionable ideas for change in the future. Perkins invokes all citizens to honor their passions, create a sustainable future, stop the corporatocracy and stop the enslavement of debt. A Must-Read. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man