Book Summary —
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a gripping memoir by John Perkins, in which he reveals his role as an "economic hit man" — a consultant who helped U.S. corporations and government agencies manipulate developing countries into accepting massive loans they couldn't repay. According to Perkins, the strategy was to trap nations in debt, forcing them to comply with U.S. political and economic interests, often at the expense of their own people and sovereignty. Through personal anecdotes and global case studies, Perkins exposes how economic coercion, rather than military force, became a primary tool of modern imperialism. The book offers a critical look at globalization, corporate greed, and the dark side of international finance.
About the Author —
John Perkins is an American author and former economic consultant who became widely known for his whistleblower role through Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, first published in 2004. Initially working for a consulting firm tied to U.S. government interests, Perkins claims he was tasked with persuading developing nations to accept large loans for infrastructure projects — loans that ultimately benefited U.S. companies and entrenched political control. After leaving that world, he began writing and speaking about the unethical practices he witnessed. Perkins has since authored several follow-up books on global economics and sustainability, positioning himself as a critic of corporate exploitation and a proponent of conscious capitalism and systemic reform.
