A Stark Look at Global Manipulation and Power

The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man was wild — and honestly, pretty disturbing. I went in thinking I had a decent handle on how global economics work behind the scenes, but this book still managed to surprise (and shake) me.

John Perkins doesn’t hold back. He walks you through the machinery of economic manipulation — but not in some distant, academic way. He was part of it. That makes it hit differently. You’re not reading about theories; you’re reading about actual deals, tactics, and the pressure applied to entire countries under the guise of “helping” them.

Some of it confirmed what I already suspected — like how debt is used as a weapon — but other parts were new to me and pretty chilling. The way governments, corporations, and international banks operate together? It’s hard to unsee once you’ve read it.

What I appreciated most was how Perkins owned up to his role. He doesn’t write like a hero or a victim. He’s honest about the choices he made, and that reflection makes the whole thing feel more grounded.

If you’ve ever looked at the global economy and thought, “Wait, how is this all even legal?” — this book will hit a nerve. It’s not comforting, but it’s important.