… encourage world leaders to become part of a vast network that promotes U.S. commercial interests. In the end, those leaders become ensnared in a web of debt that ensures their loyalty. We can draw on them whenever we desire – to satisfy our political, economic or military needs. In turn, they bolster their political positions by bringing industrial parks, power plants, and airports to their people. The owners of U.S. engineering/construction companies become fabulously wealthy.

Wow, does that blow my mind. I mean, we all knew the United States was leveraging its position as a global power player to force smaller countries to do its bidding, but this is on a scale never before imagined.

The very first question out of my (and it seems everyone else’s) mind is, is this guy for real? A quick look on Amazon brings up the fact that Perkins is also the author of books such as “Psychonavigation: Techniques for Travel Beyond Time” and “Shapeshifting: Techniques for Global and Personal Transformation”. They are spirituality related books, and while I certainly don’t think that should have any relevance, many do. I suppose everything you read these days should be taken with a grain of salt!

Moving along, the book is divided into four parts, with each part representing a different period of time. Part I includes the years 1963 to 1971, and covers the story of how Perkins ended up joining the Peace Corps and going to Ecuador, being trained to become an EHM (economic hit man, get with it) by a beautiful and mysterious woman named Claudine, and his first major assignment, Indonesia. Perkins worked for an engineering company called Chas T Main Inc., which similar to Halliburton and Kellog, Brown, and Root, represented some of the major engineering companies who benefited from the work of the EHMs.

Part II deals with the Panama Canal and Saudi Arabia. Again Perkins tells of his exploits in the region, how the America companies exploited the poor indigenous cultures, and especially about his fascination with Omar Torrijos, president of Panama. I am very much interested in global politics and finance, so this book was very interesting just because it let me peer into a world that most Americans would normally have no idea about. Perkins points out how the indigenous people, while poor, may be happier than us, because “.. the wealthiest cultures in human history are plagued with the highest rates of suicide, drug abuse, and violence”. The author makes many salient points throughout the book, but the switching between historically/culturally relevant stories, global macroeconomic lessons, and personal revelations does not always go smoothly. Several times I found myself wishing the story would be over or the personal awakening would pass – I suppose I was hoping for more of a financial/economic focus in the book.

Part III covers the time period between 1975-1981. During this time, Perkins was dealing with the Shah of Iran, Columbia, and Ecuador. Columbia has had a very storied history, and those wishing to investigate Columbian history (and the drug wars specifically) should read a book called Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World’s Greatest Outlawby Mark Bowden.

Part IV is 1981 to the present. The two biggest events that took place were the deaths of the Panamanian president, Omar Torrijos, and the death of the Ecuadorian president, Jaime Roldos. Both were populist presidents loved by the lower and middle class, but shared in their refusal to bow down to the “corporatocracy” (The combination of corporations, banks, and governments all looking to further global empire, as Perkins describes it) interests of American empire. For this, says Perkins, the CIA assassinated them.

This book is a fast and easy read. Clocking in around 220 pages, you could finish this in a few days if you really put your mind to it. The question, though, would be is this book really worth your time? Maybe if you really had no clue about the America empire this book would help open your eyes, or if you were fascinated by world politics and economics (like me), but for the well read historically informed citizen this book merely repeats what you already know. However, many people have not peered into this historical period and may benefit from the lessons that Perkins hands down. This book is full of fascinating history, interesting stories of political figures, and even with the duplicative nature of Perkins’ remorseful stories, I would still recommend it to friends (And isn’t that the true test of any book). Stay tuned for my next book review, Global Financial Warriors, by John B. Taylor.

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

Yes I make a little bit of money if you buy the book, thanks for asking.

The book has 23 chapters and weighs in a little under 300 pages; not a one-day read but maybe a couple weekends would get the job done. There are the usual sections found in all financial books such as Asset Allocation, Diversification, Saving, Index Investing, etc. Where this book really shined are the discussions of taxes as they relate to investing and retirement planning. There are two whole chapters (Taxes part 1 and 2) dedicated to the topic, more so than most of the other financial books I have read. Of course, this may sound boring beyond belief, but taxes play an important part in determining just how much of that money you saved you actually get to keep. Another great section is saving for college, which clearly goes over the various vehicles that are available to both parents and kids to help save for a college education. I hadn’t even realized the plethora of options available; I’m sure my parents wish they had known about all these options before I went to college. (Too late! And UC Santa Cruz will never be the same!)

In the end, if you have more than a little interest in the DIY approach to managing your money, this book will be a wonderful resource and a great read. It’s not made for a great rich quick persona, rather for someone who understands that saving money and prudently investing it over a lifetime can easily turn you into a millionaire! (Like me, for instance). Don’t expect witty writing and funny prose; the writers present the information very matter-of-factly. Take the time to read and re-read this book and you’ll be much better off than before you had read it – and that’s my definition of a good book about investing.

The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing

(Yes I make a few bucks if you buy the book – help a brotha out!)