In his stunning memoir, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, which spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list, John Perkins detailed his role in the 1970s and '80s in the international corporate intrigues that created a de facto American Empire. This riveting, behind-the-scenes exposé unfolded like a cinematic blockbuster told through the eyes of a man who once helped shape that empire.

Now, in The Secret History of the American Empire, Perkins zeroes in on hot spots around the world today and, drawing on interviews with other hit men, jackals, CIA operatives, reporters, and activists, examines the current geopolitical crisis. Instability is the norm: It's clear that the world we've created is dangerous and no longer sustainable. How did we get here? Who's responsible? What good have we done? And at what cost? And what can we do to change things for the next generations? Addressing these questions and more, Perkins reveals the secret history behind the events that have defined our world, including:
* The current Latin-American revolution and its lessons for democracy
* How the "defeats" in Vietnam and Iraq benefited big business
* The role of Israel as "Fortress America" in the Middle East
* Tragic repercussions of the IMF's "Asian Economic Collapse" and Clinton's "African Renaissance"
* U.S. blunders in Tibet, Congo, Lebanon, and Venezuela
*Jackal forays to assassinate democratic presidents

From the U.S. military in Iraq to infrastructure development in Indonesia, from Peace Corps volunteers in Africa to jackals in Venezuela, Perkins exposes a web of corruption and corporate skullduggery. Alarming yet hopeful, The Secret History of the American Empire concludes with a clear-eyed look toward the future and a compassionate plan to reimagine the world.

365 pages ($25.95)