Moneyland: The Inside Story of the Crooks and Kleptocrats Who Rule the World Kindle Edition

First off, I couldn't resist picking up the latest book regarding private power's ongoing theft of public assets. Second, the author's title referred to the crooks and kleptocrats as those who in fact rule the world. A one, two punch that surely would knock it out of the park.But, alas, before the first page turned I knew this book's frame was highly politicized. Sometimes, that's fine if the facts are substantiated with footnotes/facts. Anyone one whose read, Flashpoint In Ukraine: How the U.S. Drive for Hegemony Risks WWIII edited by Stephen Lendman June 20, 2014 or numerous articles by investigative F. William Engdahl on the Ukraine - know that the U.S. has engineered taking over democratically elected leaders with dictator puppets. He also goes after Trump and adheres to the Russia-phobia stolen-election hoopla. Again, not proven. Not fact. No evidence. Incidentally, who was FBI director during the 9/11 criminal inside job? Mueller.Nor does he get the Yeltsin story of Russia correct. Boris Yeltsin and his free market reformers were part of one of the most hidden and most criminal looting operations in CIA history. It was a pillaging of Russia but a corrupted circle of treasonous Soviet KGB generals, together with their select young KGB proteges, who were transformed through the operation into billionaire oligarchs. It was made possible only through Western banks and the democracy machinery of Washington D.C. under three Presidents: Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Because they had been allowed by the Bush CIA networks that controlled the financial side of the Yeltsin mafia[Manifest Destiny: Democracy as Cognitive Dissonance by F. William Engdahl May 2, 2018].The author obfuscates the correct frame for the Bretton Woods Agreement: The victory powers stated their aim was to free the world from fascism forever. In reality, they built the infrastructure for a new fascism - Corporate Fascism - the modern austerity is merely a vehicle to deliver it. We are witnessing the end & not the beginning of the process, set in motion at the end of WWII at Bretton Woods. The pillars of social democracy- law & justice, employment rights, civil liberties & human rights, and the social safety nets of society - have been bulldozed, one after another, under the guise of austerity{Austerity: The Demolition of the Welfare State & the Rise of the Zombie Economy by Mary-Anne Mendoza Nov. 21, 2014].That's just for starters. So, for this reader the author's credibility was next to none. A difficult read, as I had to parse out which frame the author was writing from. His knowledge of the - financial shenanigans, tax havens, and legalities/illegalities, the flight of capital, and other tools of leverage; that those with billions, had available at their beckoning call, and that, thus enabled those plutocrims to perpetrate against society, were there for the reader to ponder. in all its disgusting detail.Still, he misses the greater theft of public assets by the private sector and the real hidden system of finance. Two financial experts that have penetrated this ultra-secret hidden financial system are Catherine Austin Fitts[former Secretary of Housing under George H.W. Bush] & Joseph P. Farrell Rhode Scholar and author of several books regarding this hidden system of finance[Hidden Finance, Rogue Networks, and Secret Sorcery: The Fascist International, 9/11, and Penetrated Operations May 16, 2016].The author's theme is a correct one: an established system of power has accepted grand corruption as a natural part of its daily business. It currently has the modern form of neo feudalism, where the kingly elites are colonizing the public worldwide as their willing serfs[using the latest technologies & mind control techniques to achieve their goals]The reader may consider other books on this subject, like the ones I've listed above in the text. Also check out financial books by Michael Hudson[Killing the Host: How Financial Parasites and Debt Bondage Destroy the Global Economy Aug. 20,2015]. Also there is, Treasure Islands: Uncovering the Damage of Offshore Banking and Tax Havens by Nicholas Shaxson Sep. 4, 2012.Moneyland is still a good financial book; bearing in mind, the few caveats I've mentioned.The message is clear: crime that pays, is crime that stays.Instead of saving the U.S. economy, the U.S. saved the crooked banksters.Until that changes; crime pays & stays.

Oliver Bullough's new book is a wealth of brazenly corrupt situations that will raise the blood pressure of anyone with a sense of fairness. The chapters in his book appear to be well-researched and unfortunately were not at all surprising to me. What is amazing is the boldness with which these schemes of greed and power are carried out and if you want some examples of just how corrupt our civilization is, pick up this book and read it. The acts are documented but what is the solution? Personally, I feel all the corruption and dirty politics is human nature. It has existed from the beginning and it isn't going to change, no matter what sort of regulations you put in place. The Apostle Paul put it well when he said the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Notice it is the "love" of money and not money itself.I don't think it is a spoiler for me to quote the last paragraph of the book: "So what do we as citizens need to do? We need to know who owns what; we need to put crooks in jail; we need to stop our cities from laundering the wealth of the world. And we need to support any politicians prepared to build the coalitions required to do this patient, taxing, technical and unglamorous work. Only by doing this can we truly take back control of our economies and our societies, and halt the wholesale looting of the world that threatens us all." I wholeheartedly agree. But the thing is, that is what is taking place now - there are "good guys" who are fighting this and achieving success but they are fighting an overwhelming fight. Because it's like Whack-A-Mole; when you whack one evil scheme, another pops up. Not only that, but people are constantly going to the dark side because that's just human nature. We just have to keep trying, and kudos to those who are engaged in this fight. People may indeed turn into Howard Beales after reading this book, standing at their windows screaming, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!!!" but what does that do? After they get exhausted screaming, they go to sleep and wake up the next morning to go to work.As I said, the fight has to continue but it is a battle of human nature. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss," just like the Who sang. The book itself is full of egregious examples of greed and corruption and good for the author that he has brought these to light. The fight against these needs to continue and to grow. One last thing, we all must remember that along with the saying "charity begins at home" we should also remember that before we complain about the speck in someone else's eye, we should examine the log in ours. The book is full of large scale examples but all the small scale, "no one will notice" examples all around us add up, too.

I LOVE this book. It pulls back the veil of secrecy on the greed and money laundering. I have to stop every few pages though becuase at the same time, the honesty affects me and I have to step away or I'll be bitter. I lived with someone while in my 30's and they had a place in Monaco, and used "shield" companies to protect them from 1) losing money 2) liability.... to say that they weren't honest would be an understatement and I see them all over this book. Its better to KNOW that to not know, so buy this book and read it. Its eye-opening.

The topic is critical and important, but the author gives the dots but not a clear and concise connection between the dots.The book comes across as a collection of stories about this dark money, but other than corruption, does not show the harm of this has or can do.

The true story this book reveals is so disturbing, so scary, and it is really tragic that so few people will read it. The OLIGARCHS (the .00001%) rule the world, and the rest of us run around killing each other, fighting, breaking down into homicidal tribes. The truths in this book are -eye-opening to say the least.

This is jaw dropping stuff from start to finish.It’s very well explained given the very complex structures involved.It’s ghastly levels of corruption that you have to read to believe

Although the pages are very wordy and long to read, you'll enjoy what this book has to offer. Millions and billions to read about. Enjoy!

I thought the book was a very illuminating explanation of how money is laundered through various entities often with the connivance of the governments. It outlines the willingness of major players in the financial system to break the laws in pursuit of profits from assisting money laundering. The end result may be you will realize the hypocrisy of the major players involved that claim to be ethical businesses but are not.

A thoroughly researched and illuminating discussion of the criminal concealment of the vast fortunes which run the world. It was a riveting read but I must confess I would frequently have to set it aside because the revelations made me incandescent with rage.

A fascinating look at how the other half lives and runs their lives. An interesting trip through the history of money laundering and the excuses of the very rich. Obviously if you obtain your wealth illegally you need to hide it and world really does not want to know. How many politicians are paid off to keep it this way. A great read for all those who dont believe in conspiracies.