Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

Top drawer yet again, 08 Nov 2008
After reading Dominique Enwright's excellent biography on Winston Churchill I had high hopes for this.I was not disappointed because this is fantastic addition to that book.
The thing that I like about her books on Chuchill is the fact that they aren't overblown at all.They stick to the basic facts and hold your interest throughout.This fine effort showcases the wit of the great man in an easy to follow way and I have no hesitation in giving this a full five stars to go alongside Ms. Enwright's first book.
There are many books out there about Churchill but I doubt you will find two finer ones simply because they are so easy to digest.Very highly recommended.

flavor minus ingredients, 06 Mar 2008
a beautful cover and many mistakes in the text. no attribution for many quotes either.

Very enjoyable, 12 Feb 2008
This relatively small book is divided into several sections with slices from Churchill's life and quotations related to politics, speaches, friends, animals, family, etc.

Here are few excerpts:

While campaigning in 1900, it is said that the young Churchill was doing a spot of canvassing when one of those he approached exclaimed:

"Vote for you? Why, I'd rather vote for the Devil!"

"I understand", Churchill answered, "But in case your friend is not running, may I count on your support?"

* * *

When passed a very long but turgidly written memorandum on some worthy but uninspiring subject, the elderly Prime Minister weighed the thick wad of paper in his hands and commented, "This paper by its very length defends itself against the risk of being read."

* * *

Churchill liked animals; sometimes he found this difficult to reconcile with his fondness for rich food. Anthony Montague Brown recalled that 'One Christmas he was about to carve a goose. Learning it was one of his own, he put down the knife and fork and said, "I could not possibly eat a bird that I have known socially."

* * *

A BBC broadcaster described once sitting next to Churchill as he gave a speech, keeping his audience hanging on to his every word. The boradcaster noticed, howver, that what appeared to be notes in Churchill's hand was only a laundry slip, and he later remarked upon this to Churchill. "Yes", said Churchill. "It gave confidence to my audience."

WHEN PARLIAMENT SPARKLED, 10 Jan 2008
Anyone watching the televised proceedings from Parliament could be forgiven for nodding off, given the uninspiring nature of much of the proceedings, and the mundane characters who participate. If you want a glimpse of what we're missing this book is essential reading. Winston Churchill was one of the great characters of the House, at a time when there was no shortage of such people. He is quoted as saying, of the then Russian Foreign Minister, "I have never seen a human being who more perfectly represented the modern concept of a robot". I can't help feeling that, were he a sitting MP today, he'd find no shortage of candidates to fit that description. This book lives up to its title.

The Great British Patriot, 24 Jan 2005
This book sums up almost all the great qualities of a man who for so many was one of the greatest Englishman who ever lived. Full of quotes of indeed great wit and humour as well as thought and intelligence. Just a short read of this book will keep you in the best of spirits, and will surely put you in a most patriotic mood. A brilliant read and a must have book.

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

Top drawer yet again, 08 Nov 2008
After reading Dominique Enwright's excellent biography on Winston Churchill I had high hopes for this.I was not disappointed because this is fantastic addition to that book.
The thing that I like about her books on Chuchill is the fact that they aren't overblown at all.They stick to the basic facts and hold your interest throughout.This fine effort showcases the wit of the great man in an easy to follow way and I have no hesitation in giving this a full five stars to go alongside Ms. Enwright's first book.
There are many books out there about Churchill but I doubt you will find two finer ones simply because they are so easy to digest.Very highly recommended.

flavor minus ingredients, 06 Mar 2008
a beautful cover and many mistakes in the text. no attribution for many quotes either.

Very enjoyable, 12 Feb 2008
This relatively small book is divided into several sections with slices from Churchill's life and quotations related to politics, speaches, friends, animals, family, etc.

Here are few excerpts:

While campaigning in 1900, it is said that the young Churchill was doing a spot of canvassing when one of those he approached exclaimed:

"Vote for you? Why, I'd rather vote for the Devil!"

"I understand", Churchill answered, "But in case your friend is not running, may I count on your support?"

* * *

When passed a very long but turgidly written memorandum on some worthy but uninspiring subject, the elderly Prime Minister weighed the thick wad of paper in his hands and commented, "This paper by its very length defends itself against the risk of being read."

* * *

Churchill liked animals; sometimes he found this difficult to reconcile with his fondness for rich food. Anthony Montague Brown recalled that 'One Christmas he was about to carve a goose. Learning it was one of his own, he put down the knife and fork and said, "I could not possibly eat a bird that I have known socially."

* * *

A BBC broadcaster described once sitting next to Churchill as he gave a speech, keeping his audience hanging on to his every word. The boradcaster noticed, howver, that what appeared to be notes in Churchill's hand was only a laundry slip, and he later remarked upon this to Churchill. "Yes", said Churchill. "It gave confidence to my audience."

WHEN PARLIAMENT SPARKLED, 10 Jan 2008
Anyone watching the televised proceedings from Parliament could be forgiven for nodding off, given the uninspiring nature of much of the proceedings, and the mundane characters who participate. If you want a glimpse of what we're missing this book is essential reading. Winston Churchill was one of the great characters of the House, at a time when there was no shortage of such people. He is quoted as saying, of the then Russian Foreign Minister, "I have never seen a human being who more perfectly represented the modern concept of a robot". I can't help feeling that, were he a sitting MP today, he'd find no shortage of candidates to fit that description. This book lives up to its title.

The Great British Patriot, 24 Jan 2005
This book sums up almost all the great qualities of a man who for so many was one of the greatest Englishman who ever lived. Full of quotes of indeed great wit and humour as well as thought and intelligence. Just a short read of this book will keep you in the best of spirits, and will surely put you in a most patriotic mood. A brilliant read and a must have book.

Almost certainly a true acount, 19 Oct 2008

Perkins has probably made alot of money from this book as it is written in the first person narrative style of an autobiography, and as such draws the reader in and carries him/her along with the "storyline"
Even if some of the accounts in the book are exaggerated (and I have no reason to say that they are), there is so much personal and historical information in this account of Perkins life, that it could easily have been disproved were it not largely truthfull....to my knowledge, he has not been discredited yet, and so we must assume that it is largely true.
I thought this book was rather brilliant actually, and is ideal for anybody who has misgivings, but has not really ever thought about or faced up to the nature of big corporate exploitation of developing countries, the globalization of the world and ...and this is the big one...the consequences for us (the western capitalists), if we continue as we are....we have got it coming to us...big time !! if we carrty on the way we are going
Read it, its a good book that deals with some big issues.... I shall read his follow on book next "the secret history of the American Empire"

Unbelievable Nonsense - I think not!!, 17 Jul 2008
I'm not quite sure what to think of this book. Why? I recently read a book titled 'Great Controversy' by White. It was written about a hundred years before John Perkins wrote this book. Now, the two books are worlds apart, until you come towards the end of White's book, (and you sure have to hang in there and read the whole book), then all of a sudden, Perkins starts to make sense. John Perkins does well in this book! It's more of an overview ... an itroduction to EHM's. If you first read White and then Perkins, you have to admit that perkins hits the nail on the head - or was it White?. But just on it's own this book is a brilliant read. I like it and unless you are 'one of them' you will enjoy it too.

Interesting but far too much sensationalism, 16 Jun 2008
A good read but Perkins spoils it by going over the top with political rhetoric. The book would have been a lot more effective in getting his intended message accross if he allowed his experience to speak for itself rather attempting to direct us how to think.

Despite this, when Perkins stops preaching and self-promoting (you do actually wonder whether he was as important to the whole process as he professes) there are some fascinating stories, it's just a shame that he chooses to interdisperse theses with streams of consciousness and directions such as to "consume less oil".

Confession it is...., 02 Jan 2008
An integral part of foreign policy is obviously economic ambition.
So, i figured this book may give a reasonable insight coming from the horses mouth, however, it is just that..reasonable and no more. It lacked indepth, specific details (there may well be good reasons for this) and seems to merely touch the surface. Far too much emphasis on Perkins` guilt although he always seemed to manage to deal with it for a few more years! People reading this really wont care too much with his personal struggle but then to be fair to Perkins..it is in the title!
Its a good first book which is easy to read and can help to assist being far more critical when reading other material.
I would recommend this but dont expect too much, and if you well advanced in the economic chess game of the world i`d give it a miss.

Personal account of corporate skullduggery, 18 Oct 2007
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a personal account of one man's moral awakening, set against a background of international high finance. The author, John M. Perkins, was a consultant for a consulting company that specialised in `assisting less developed countries to achieve their economic growth potential.' In reality, this involved saddling already impoverished populations with further debt that would cripple future generations. This book, though, is not a dry volume of econometrics or development studies but rather a personal journey from amoral corporate executive shill to a man who rediscovers his essential humanity.

Confessions... follows John Perkins career at Chas T. Main, Inc. (MAIN), and his involvement in such countries as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Panama and Indonesia. Crudely put, Perkins' job required him to undertake studies to prove that country X is on the cusp of an economic boom due to underexploited natural resources but that in order to achieve predicted growth rates of twenty per cent per year for the next five years, the country would require electricity generation stations and accompanying infrastructure (roads, hospitals et cetera) and accommodation for all the construction workers (these economic forecasts were deliberately and grossly exaggerated - low/accurate predictions would lead to less profit for MAIN and possibly even loss of one's job).

Once the World Bank signed off on the forecast, massive loans would be made to the government of country X so that it could afford to undertake such substantial projects. However, when Perkins' economic prophesies fell (far) short, the development firms would vacate and the populations of the countries involved would be left to make the debt repayments; their taxes now being used by the government to finance the interest on the loans, often not the capital itself, instead of investment in schools, healthcare and so forth.

These schemes often involved a transfer of funds from the World Bank to construction and consulting companies like Bechtel, Halliburton and MAIN. In essence, this was a gift from the taxpayer to the corporations, a welfare state for the super-rich, with the money never actually leaving the United States but being transferred directly from the accounts of the World Bank to the accounts of one of the above-mentioned firms (or others).

To quote from the book: "The income ratio of the one-fifth of the world's population in the wealthiest countries to the one-fifth in the poorest countries went from 30 to 1 in 1960 to 74 to 1 in 1995. And the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the IMF [International Monetary Fund], and the rest of the banks, corporations, and governments involved in international "aid" continue to tell us that they are doing their jobs, that progress has been made."

John Perkins (whose papers are still referenced in PhD economic classrooms) was instrumental in such corporate deceit; the more he lied, the more he was rewarded for his skills of consulting and persuasion. What Confessions of an Economic Hit Man relates is how one man woke from his dogmatic slumber, how a life of private corporate jets and five star hotels, huge salaries and exotic locations lost its allure when weighed against the social and environmental legacy that he was bequeathing to his daughter and to the planet as a whole. This is where the book is on its strongest footing, with the personal account. Where it is at its weakest, is on the mechanical details; exactly how Perkins achieved such feats of deception is never fully explained.

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is an easy read, written in a loose, intimate style, more reminiscent of an espionage thriller than a book covering parallel material, such as Joseph Stiglitz's Globalisation and its Discontents. Get Perkins' book for the first-person perspective, get Stiglitz's book for the reform agenda and the academic interpretations of what's gone wrong. Taken together, these two books compliment each other commendably; for details of corporate deception and intrigue, John Perkins' testimony lacks sufficient minutiae but as a narrative of individual corruption, self-justification and ultimately, enlightenment - and which it should be read as such - Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a success.

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

Top drawer yet again, 08 Nov 2008
After reading Dominique Enwright's excellent biography on Winston Churchill I had high hopes for this.I was not disappointed because this is fantastic addition to that book.
The thing that I like about her books on Chuchill is the fact that they aren't overblown at all.They stick to the basic facts and hold your interest throughout.This fine effort showcases the wit of the great man in an easy to follow way and I have no hesitation in giving this a full five stars to go alongside Ms. Enwright's first book.
There are many books out there about Churchill but I doubt you will find two finer ones simply because they are so easy to digest.Very highly recommended.

flavor minus ingredients, 06 Mar 2008
a beautful cover and many mistakes in the text. no attribution for many quotes either.

Very enjoyable, 12 Feb 2008
This relatively small book is divided into several sections with slices from Churchill's life and quotations related to politics, speaches, friends, animals, family, etc.

Here are few excerpts:

While campaigning in 1900, it is said that the young Churchill was doing a spot of canvassing when one of those he approached exclaimed:

"Vote for you? Why, I'd rather vote for the Devil!"

"I understand", Churchill answered, "But in case your friend is not running, may I count on your support?"

* * *

When passed a very long but turgidly written memorandum on some worthy but uninspiring subject, the elderly Prime Minister weighed the thick wad of paper in his hands and commented, "This paper by its very length defends itself against the risk of being read."

* * *

Churchill liked animals; sometimes he found this difficult to reconcile with his fondness for rich food. Anthony Montague Brown recalled that 'One Christmas he was about to carve a goose. Learning it was one of his own, he put down the knife and fork and said, "I could not possibly eat a bird that I have known socially."

* * *

A BBC broadcaster described once sitting next to Churchill as he gave a speech, keeping his audience hanging on to his every word. The boradcaster noticed, howver, that what appeared to be notes in Churchill's hand was only a laundry slip, and he later remarked upon this to Churchill. "Yes", said Churchill. "It gave confidence to my audience."

WHEN PARLIAMENT SPARKLED, 10 Jan 2008
Anyone watching the televised proceedings from Parliament could be forgiven for nodding off, given the uninspiring nature of much of the proceedings, and the mundane characters who participate. If you want a glimpse of what we're missing this book is essential reading. Winston Churchill was one of the great characters of the House, at a time when there was no shortage of such people. He is quoted as saying, of the then Russian Foreign Minister, "I have never seen a human being who more perfectly represented the modern concept of a robot". I can't help feeling that, were he a sitting MP today, he'd find no shortage of candidates to fit that description. This book lives up to its title.

The Great British Patriot, 24 Jan 2005
This book sums up almost all the great qualities of a man who for so many was one of the greatest Englishman who ever lived. Full of quotes of indeed great wit and humour as well as thought and intelligence. Just a short read of this book will keep you in the best of spirits, and will surely put you in a most patriotic mood. A brilliant read and a must have book.

Almost certainly a true acount, 19 Oct 2008

Perkins has probably made alot of money from this book as it is written in the first person narrative style of an autobiography, and as such draws the reader in and carries him/her along with the "storyline"
Even if some of the accounts in the book are exaggerated (and I have no reason to say that they are), there is so much personal and historical information in this account of Perkins life, that it could easily have been disproved were it not largely truthfull....to my knowledge, he has not been discredited yet, and so we must assume that it is largely true.
I thought this book was rather brilliant actually, and is ideal for anybody who has misgivings, but has not really ever thought about or faced up to the nature of big corporate exploitation of developing countries, the globalization of the world and ...and this is the big one...the consequences for us (the western capitalists), if we continue as we are....we have got it coming to us...big time !! if we carrty on the way we are going
Read it, its a good book that deals with some big issues.... I shall read his follow on book next "the secret history of the American Empire"

Unbelievable Nonsense - I think not!!, 17 Jul 2008
I'm not quite sure what to think of this book. Why? I recently read a book titled 'Great Controversy' by White. It was written about a hundred years before John Perkins wrote this book. Now, the two books are worlds apart, until you come towards the end of White's book, (and you sure have to hang in there and read the whole book), then all of a sudden, Perkins starts to make sense. John Perkins does well in this book! It's more of an overview ... an itroduction to EHM's. If you first read White and then Perkins, you have to admit that perkins hits the nail on the head - or was it White?. But just on it's own this book is a brilliant read. I like it and unless you are 'one of them' you will enjoy it too.

Interesting but far too much sensationalism, 16 Jun 2008
A good read but Perkins spoils it by going over the top with political rhetoric. The book would have been a lot more effective in getting his intended message accross if he allowed his experience to speak for itself rather attempting to direct us how to think.

Despite this, when Perkins stops preaching and self-promoting (you do actually wonder whether he was as important to the whole process as he professes) there are some fascinating stories, it's just a shame that he chooses to interdisperse theses with streams of consciousness and directions such as to "consume less oil".

Confession it is...., 02 Jan 2008
An integral part of foreign policy is obviously economic ambition.
So, i figured this book may give a reasonable insight coming from the horses mouth, however, it is just that..reasonable and no more. It lacked indepth, specific details (there may well be good reasons for this) and seems to merely touch the surface. Far too much emphasis on Perkins` guilt although he always seemed to manage to deal with it for a few more years! People reading this really wont care too much with his personal struggle but then to be fair to Perkins..it is in the title!
Its a good first book which is easy to read and can help to assist being far more critical when reading other material.
I would recommend this but dont expect too much, and if you well advanced in the economic chess game of the world i`d give it a miss.

Personal account of corporate skullduggery, 18 Oct 2007
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a personal account of one man's moral awakening, set against a background of international high finance. The author, John M. Perkins, was a consultant for a consulting company that specialised in `assisting less developed countries to achieve their economic growth potential.' In reality, this involved saddling already impoverished populations with further debt that would cripple future generations. This book, though, is not a dry volume of econometrics or development studies but rather a personal journey from amoral corporate executive shill to a man who rediscovers his essential humanity.

Confessions... follows John Perkins career at Chas T. Main, Inc. (MAIN), and his involvement in such countries as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Panama and Indonesia. Crudely put, Perkins' job required him to undertake studies to prove that country X is on the cusp of an economic boom due to underexploited natural resources but that in order to achieve predicted growth rates of twenty per cent per year for the next five years, the country would require electricity generation stations and accompanying infrastructure (roads, hospitals et cetera) and accommodation for all the construction workers (these economic forecasts were deliberately and grossly exaggerated - low/accurate predictions would lead to less profit for MAIN and possibly even loss of one's job).

Once the World Bank signed off on the forecast, massive loans would be made to the government of country X so that it could afford to undertake such substantial projects. However, when Perkins' economic prophesies fell (far) short, the development firms would vacate and the populations of the countries involved would be left to make the debt repayments; their taxes now being used by the government to finance the interest on the loans, often not the capital itself, instead of investment in schools, healthcare and so forth.

These schemes often involved a transfer of funds from the World Bank to construction and consulting companies like Bechtel, Halliburton and MAIN. In essence, this was a gift from the taxpayer to the corporations, a welfare state for the super-rich, with the money never actually leaving the United States but being transferred directly from the accounts of the World Bank to the accounts of one of the above-mentioned firms (or others).

To quote from the book: "The income ratio of the one-fifth of the world's population in the wealthiest countries to the one-fifth in the poorest countries went from 30 to 1 in 1960 to 74 to 1 in 1995. And the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the IMF [International Monetary Fund], and the rest of the banks, corporations, and governments involved in international "aid" continue to tell us that they are doing their jobs, that progress has been made."

John Perkins (whose papers are still referenced in PhD economic classrooms) was instrumental in such corporate deceit; the more he lied, the more he was rewarded for his skills of consulting and persuasion. What Confessions of an Economic Hit Man relates is how one man woke from his dogmatic slumber, how a life of private corporate jets and five star hotels, huge salaries and exotic locations lost its allure when weighed against the social and environmental legacy that he was bequeathing to his daughter and to the planet as a whole. This is where the book is on its strongest footing, with the personal account. Where it is at its weakest, is on the mechanical details; exactly how Perkins achieved such feats of deception is never fully explained.

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is an easy read, written in a loose, intimate style, more reminiscent of an espionage thriller than a book covering parallel material, such as Joseph Stiglitz's Globalisation and its Discontents. Get Perkins' book for the first-person perspective, get Stiglitz's book for the reform agenda and the academic interpretations of what's gone wrong. Taken together, these two books compliment each other commendably; for details of corporate deception and intrigue, John Perkins' testimony lacks sufficient minutiae but as a narrative of individual corruption, self-justification and ultimately, enlightenment - and which it should be read as such - Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a success.

This moving story creates an empathy for negro slaves., 01 Sep 1999
This book was moving and a good summer reading book for students like myself in high school.

1sthand account of the evils of this "peculiar institution", 31 Aug 1999
This is a great book, and I feel everyone should read it. Iwasn't forced to read, but I chose to read it on my own in order to better understand the nation's injustices. Douglass' first hand account of slavery is one of the best sources. His writing isn't wordy or difficult to understand, either.

Great man, great book.

Outstanding read, 08 Jun 1999
I Read Douglass for an assignment in my college U.S. History class, and was almost dreading opening this book afraid that Douglass would blame every white person for his torment. Instead I found that Douglass knew the difference between the slave owners and the people who were trying to stop the practice. I finished this book in a matter of days, and respect Douglass as the extreamly brave man that he was. The paper I wrote reflected my outrage that such an occurance could have happened in this beautiful country.

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

Top drawer yet again, 08 Nov 2008
After reading Dominique Enwright's excellent biography on Winston Churchill I had high hopes for this.I was not disappointed because this is fantastic addition to that book.
The thing that I like about her books on Chuchill is the fact that they aren't overblown at all.They stick to the basic facts and hold your interest throughout.This fine effort showcases the wit of the great man in an easy to follow way and I have no hesitation in giving this a full five stars to go alongside Ms. Enwright's first book.
There are many books out there about Churchill but I doubt you will find two finer ones simply because they are so easy to digest.Very highly recommended.

flavor minus ingredients, 06 Mar 2008
a beautful cover and many mistakes in the text. no attribution for many quotes either.

Very enjoyable, 12 Feb 2008
This relatively small book is divided into several sections with slices from Churchill's life and quotations related to politics, speaches, friends, animals, family, etc.

Here are few excerpts:

While campaigning in 1900, it is said that the young Churchill was doing a spot of canvassing when one of those he approached exclaimed:

"Vote for you? Why, I'd rather vote for the Devil!"

"I understand", Churchill answered, "But in case your friend is not running, may I count on your support?"

* * *

When passed a very long but turgidly written memorandum on some worthy but uninspiring subject, the elderly Prime Minister weighed the thick wad of paper in his hands and commented, "This paper by its very length defends itself against the risk of being read."

* * *

Churchill liked animals; sometimes he found this difficult to reconcile with his fondness for rich food. Anthony Montague Brown recalled that 'One Christmas he was about to carve a goose. Learning it was one of his own, he put down the knife and fork and said, "I could not possibly eat a bird that I have known socially."

* * *

A BBC broadcaster described once sitting next to Churchill as he gave a speech, keeping his audience hanging on to his every word. The boradcaster noticed, howver, that what appeared to be notes in Churchill's hand was only a laundry slip, and he later remarked upon this to Churchill. "Yes", said Churchill. "It gave confidence to my audience."

WHEN PARLIAMENT SPARKLED, 10 Jan 2008
Anyone watching the televised proceedings from Parliament could be forgiven for nodding off, given the uninspiring nature of much of the proceedings, and the mundane characters who participate. If you want a glimpse of what we're missing this book is essential reading. Winston Churchill was one of the great characters of the House, at a time when there was no shortage of such people. He is quoted as saying, of the then Russian Foreign Minister, "I have never seen a human being who more perfectly represented the modern concept of a robot". I can't help feeling that, were he a sitting MP today, he'd find no shortage of candidates to fit that description. This book lives up to its title.

The Great British Patriot, 24 Jan 2005
This book sums up almost all the great qualities of a man who for so many was one of the greatest Englishman who ever lived. Full of quotes of indeed great wit and humour as well as thought and intelligence. Just a short read of this book will keep you in the best of spirits, and will surely put you in a most patriotic mood. A brilliant read and a must have book.

Almost certainly a true acount, 19 Oct 2008

Perkins has probably made alot of money from this book as it is written in the first person narrative style of an autobiography, and as such draws the reader in and carries him/her along with the "storyline"
Even if some of the accounts in the book are exaggerated (and I have no reason to say that they are), there is so much personal and historical information in this account of Perkins life, that it could easily have been disproved were it not largely truthfull....to my knowledge, he has not been discredited yet, and so we must assume that it is largely true.
I thought this book was rather brilliant actually, and is ideal for anybody who has misgivings, but has not really ever thought about or faced up to the nature of big corporate exploitation of developing countries, the globalization of the world and ...and this is the big one...the consequences for us (the western capitalists), if we continue as we are....we have got it coming to us...big time !! if we carrty on the way we are going
Read it, its a good book that deals with some big issues.... I shall read his follow on book next "the secret history of the American Empire"

Unbelievable Nonsense - I think not!!, 17 Jul 2008
I'm not quite sure what to think of this book. Why? I recently read a book titled 'Great Controversy' by White. It was written about a hundred years before John Perkins wrote this book. Now, the two books are worlds apart, until you come towards the end of White's book, (and you sure have to hang in there and read the whole book), then all of a sudden, Perkins starts to make sense. John Perkins does well in this book! It's more of an overview ... an itroduction to EHM's. If you first read White and then Perkins, you have to admit that perkins hits the nail on the head - or was it White?. But just on it's own this book is a brilliant read. I like it and unless you are 'one of them' you will enjoy it too.

Interesting but far too much sensationalism, 16 Jun 2008
A good read but Perkins spoils it by going over the top with political rhetoric. The book would have been a lot more effective in getting his intended message accross if he allowed his experience to speak for itself rather attempting to direct us how to think.

Despite this, when Perkins stops preaching and self-promoting (you do actually wonder whether he was as important to the whole process as he professes) there are some fascinating stories, it's just a shame that he chooses to interdisperse theses with streams of consciousness and directions such as to "consume less oil".

Confession it is...., 02 Jan 2008
An integral part of foreign policy is obviously economic ambition.
So, i figured this book may give a reasonable insight coming from the horses mouth, however, it is just that..reasonable and no more. It lacked indepth, specific details (there may well be good reasons for this) and seems to merely touch the surface. Far too much emphasis on Perkins` guilt although he always seemed to manage to deal with it for a few more years! People reading this really wont care too much with his personal struggle but then to be fair to Perkins..it is in the title!
Its a good first book which is easy to read and can help to assist being far more critical when reading other material.
I would recommend this but dont expect too much, and if you well advanced in the economic chess game of the world i`d give it a miss.

Personal account of corporate skullduggery, 18 Oct 2007
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a personal account of one man's moral awakening, set against a background of international high finance. The author, John M. Perkins, was a consultant for a consulting company that specialised in `assisting less developed countries to achieve their economic growth potential.' In reality, this involved saddling already impoverished populations with further debt that would cripple future generations. This book, though, is not a dry volume of econometrics or development studies but rather a personal journey from amoral corporate executive shill to a man who rediscovers his essential humanity.

Confessions... follows John Perkins career at Chas T. Main, Inc. (MAIN), and his involvement in such countries as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Panama and Indonesia. Crudely put, Perkins' job required him to undertake studies to prove that country X is on the cusp of an economic boom due to underexploited natural resources but that in order to achieve predicted growth rates of twenty per cent per year for the next five years, the country would require electricity generation stations and accompanying infrastructure (roads, hospitals et cetera) and accommodation for all the construction workers (these economic forecasts were deliberately and grossly exaggerated - low/accurate predictions would lead to less profit for MAIN and possibly even loss of one's job).

Once the World Bank signed off on the forecast, massive loans would be made to the government of country X so that it could afford to undertake such substantial projects. However, when Perkins' economic prophesies fell (far) short, the development firms would vacate and the populations of the countries involved would be left to make the debt repayments; their taxes now being used by the government to finance the interest on the loans, often not the capital itself, instead of investment in schools, healthcare and so forth.

These schemes often involved a transfer of funds from the World Bank to construction and consulting companies like Bechtel, Halliburton and MAIN. In essence, this was a gift from the taxpayer to the corporations, a welfare state for the super-rich, with the money never actually leaving the United States but being transferred directly from the accounts of the World Bank to the accounts of one of the above-mentioned firms (or others).

To quote from the book: "The income ratio of the one-fifth of the world's population in the wealthiest countries to the one-fifth in the poorest countries went from 30 to 1 in 1960 to 74 to 1 in 1995. And the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the IMF [International Monetary Fund], and the rest of the banks, corporations, and governments involved in international "aid" continue to tell us that they are doing their jobs, that progress has been made."

John Perkins (whose papers are still referenced in PhD economic classrooms) was instrumental in such corporate deceit; the more he lied, the more he was rewarded for his skills of consulting and persuasion. What Confessions of an Economic Hit Man relates is how one man woke from his dogmatic slumber, how a life of private corporate jets and five star hotels, huge salaries and exotic locations lost its allure when weighed against the social and environmental legacy that he was bequeathing to his daughter and to the planet as a whole. This is where the book is on its strongest footing, with the personal account. Where it is at its weakest, is on the mechanical details; exactly how Perkins achieved such feats of deception is never fully explained.

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is an easy read, written in a loose, intimate style, more reminiscent of an espionage thriller than a book covering parallel material, such as Joseph Stiglitz's Globalisation and its Discontents. Get Perkins' book for the first-person perspective, get Stiglitz's book for the reform agenda and the academic interpretations of what's gone wrong. Taken together, these two books compliment each other commendably; for details of corporate deception and intrigue, John Perkins' testimony lacks sufficient minutiae but as a narrative of individual corruption, self-justification and ultimately, enlightenment - and which it should be read as such - Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a success.

This moving story creates an empathy for negro slaves., 01 Sep 1999
This book was moving and a good summer reading book for students like myself in high school.

1sthand account of the evils of this "peculiar institution", 31 Aug 1999
This is a great book, and I feel everyone should read it. Iwasn't forced to read, but I chose to read it on my own in order to better understand the nation's injustices. Douglass' first hand account of slavery is one of the best sources. His writing isn't wordy or difficult to understand, either.

Great man, great book.

Outstanding read, 08 Jun 1999
I Read Douglass for an assignment in my college U.S. History class, and was almost dreading opening this book afraid that Douglass would blame every white person for his torment. Instead I found that Douglass knew the difference between the slave owners and the people who were trying to stop the practice. I finished this book in a matter of days, and respect Douglass as the extreamly brave man that he was. The paper I wrote reflected my outrage that such an occurance could have happened in this beautiful country.

A somewhat flawed review of a flawed man, 17 Nov 2008
I have been intruiged about how George Bush was not only elected once, but re-elected as US president. So, in a bored moment, I bought this book. It promised much,and is worth a read, but cutting to the chase, it was fascinating but fairly distorted ... not by lack of trying, but by trying too hard. Everything was force fitted into a mould that had some truth in it, but was pushed too far. In a little more detail, the backstory was fascinating, the early years likewise, and you can certainly see how his thesis of a man who wants to emulate his father's course, but also draw sharp contrast and be thought of as his own man. Having done this groundwork, it felt like the period of the presidency was skated over, and through the lens of folks like Karl Rove and Dick Cheney. Even here it paints only a sketch of Condi Rice who feels an intruiging figure who, from the little I know, I thought should have been smart enough to provide a more guiding hand. The books written fairly well, but nothing like as well as one might interpret from the reviews.

So, one of the things I was left wondering was how it got the rave reviews it did on the cover - e.g the front cover has a quote from Malcolm Gladwell (he of 'The tipping point') - "Political drama, family history and psychological insight in dazzling combination. If you read one book about George W. Bush and his presidency, this should be it". That would be the same Malcolm Gladwell thanked in the Acknowledgements for his 'keen insights and editorial suggestions' would it? And, the one who dwelt on Jacob's mother Lois extensively within 'The Tipping Point'. So, hardly the disinterested observer that you might imagine.

But, he's in good company, since Jacob also thanks Joe Klein (Author of 'Primary Colors') for the benefits that have come from conversations with him (and others) ... and Joe turns up on the back cover saying 'Scorching, powerful and entirely plausible ... a beautifully written and erudite book, hilarious at times, a joy to read'. In terms of general reviews we have 'A serious, thought-provoking effort to penetrate what instinct tells us muct be an extraordinary family drama' from the Washington Post. Jacob is editor-in-chief of Slate Group, a division of The Washington Post Company in which I must presume the Washington Post is stabled. Maybe it's an innocent connection, but after two spun connections, I am a little skeptical.

But, for all the skepticism, still worth a read, and worth three stars

A Family Madness **, 16 Jun 2008
Drawing on some distorted form of Freudian analysis and dabbling in Shakespeare, Weisberg is at some pains to show how George W. Bush's family heritage formed the President's personality. The son is continually referencing his father in comments and actions, while at the same time trying to distance himself from the 41st President . This isn't the first effort along these lines, nor will it surely be the last. In this well-written, but terribly narrow assessment, the author carefully traces how W.'s actions are a reflection of his reactions to his President father.

The account opens with a summary history of the Bush and Walker families. Their rise, successes and especially their personalities lay the groundwork for what follows. Weisberg carefully follows W.'s life in Texas and his attempts at an education in the East. Yale was not a happy time for the young man, and his reaction to the alien world of "The Eastern Establishment" set patterns he would follow throughout his career. As he haltingly moves toward becoming the Republican nominee [although little is given of that process], Bush begins collecting the men - and a woman - who will become his "inner circle". Karl Rove is a sycophant with a dream, manipulating Bush while being subjected to W's banter. Rove is later joined by Dick Cheney, two men with a dream of remaking the Presidency and US society. It's a compelling, if highly disturbing picture.

The Iraq invasion is, of course, the pivot point for Weisberg's analysis, calling the crusade against Saddam Hussein a total blunder. Yet Weisberg, in his depiction, makes a major gaffe of his own. After making serious effort to show how Bush makes decisions with little consideration, then sticks to the choice against any contending opinions, tells us that the President had not chosen to invade until almost the final moment. This is an astounding reversal of what Weisberg has been presenting throughout the book. The author accepts that the Bush regime "honestly" felt Hussein was a threat and the war decision justified on those grounds. Weisberg lightly passes over those such as Richard Clark or Christopher Meyer who testified Bush had decided on "regime change" long before. He ignores Colin Powell's admission that he was fed a lot of "BS" to present to the UN. Indeed, the contrived WMDs the Bush regime touted so vehemently were declared missing by Hans Blix, who receives not a drop of ink here.

Nothing is offered for why US voters should have returned this misfit to the Presidency. It will be the greatest tragedy in US history if Bush leaves the Presidency without facing charges, but this eventuality never enters Weisberg's account. In fact, no real assessment of the long-term impact of the regime's many Constitutional violations is given. We are given the portrait of a vulnerable man, with the most superficial talents holding sway over government procedures and policies unfit for a democracy. Does Weisberg think any one or a generation of successive Presidents is going to be able to set right what the Bush regime has wrought? Any new President will not be able to purge the Supreme Court of the witless hacks Bush has placed there. Worse, the deep penetration of appointments vetted more for their sympathy to "Christian" evangelical views than for any abilities is not easily uprooted and dispensed with. Weisberg may have well fulfilled the mandate he set himself, but as far as the author's concerned, that will all pass into history's assessment when Bush leaves office. The effect on society will endure. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

** with thanks to Thomas Keneally

Simple but elegantly written, 20 Nov 2008
Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words and get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.

Best Book I've read in 10 yrs., 20 Nov 2008
He describes his childhood to manhood in such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!

Touching and sincere, 16 Nov 2008
This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapter in which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one and only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back and forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child and adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.

Moving,engaging and inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.

He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, and search for his identity and roots.

I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, and I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, and confusion in his journey.


His work in the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.

I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.

This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.

It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.



Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic, 13 Nov 2008
This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own and others' weaknesses and strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problems in US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny and very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge and wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black and white, men and women, 'West' and 'Third World', past and present. Buy it--and enjoy it!

Top drawer yet again, 08 Nov 2008
After reading Dominique Enwright's excellent biography on Winston Churchill I had high hopes for this.I was not disappointed because this is fantastic addition to that book.
The thing that I like about her books on Chuchill is the fact that they aren't overblown at all.They stick to the basic facts and hold your interest throughout.This fine effort showcases the wit of the great man in an easy to follow way and I have no hesitation in giving this a full five stars to go alongside Ms. Enwright's first book.
There are many books out there about Churchill but I doubt you will find two finer ones simply because they are so easy to digest.Very highly recommended.

flavor minus ingredients, 06 Mar 2008
a beautful cover and many mistakes in the text. no attribution for many quotes either.

Very enjoyable, 12 Feb 2008
This relatively small book is divided into several sections with slices from Churchill's life and quotations related to politics, speaches, friends, animals, family, etc.

Here are few excerpts:

While campaigning in 1900, it is said that the young Churchill was doing a spot of canvassing when one of those he approached exclaimed:

"Vote for you? Why, I'd rather vote for the Devil!"

"I understand", Churchill answered, "But in case your friend is not running, may I count on your support?"

* * *

When passed a very long but turgidly written memorandum on some worthy but uninspiring subject, the elderly Prime Minister weighed the thick wad of paper in his hands and commented, "This paper by its very length defends itself against the risk of being read."

* * *

Churchill liked animals; sometimes he found this difficult to reconcile with his fondness for rich food. Anthony Montague Brown recalled that 'One Christmas he was about to carve a goose. Learning it was one of his own, he put down the knife and fork and said, "I could not possibly eat a bird that I have known socially."

* * *

A BBC broadcaster described once sitting next to Churchill as he gave a speech, keeping his audience hanging on to his every word. The boradcaster noticed, howver, that what appeared to be notes in Churchill's hand was only a laundry slip, and he later remarked upon this to Churchill. "Yes", said Churchill. "It gave confidence to my audience."

WHEN PARLIAMENT SPARKLED, 10 Jan 2008
Anyone watching the televised proceedings from Parliament could be forgiven for nodding off, given the uninspiring nature of much of the proceedings, and the mundane characters who participate. If you want a glimpse of what we're missing this book is essential reading. Winston Churchill was one of the great characters of the House, at a time when there was no shortage of such people. He is quoted as saying, of the then Russian Foreign Minister, "I have never seen a human being who more perfectly represented the modern concept of a robot". I can't help feeling that, were he a sitting MP today, he'd find no shortage of candidates to fit that description. This book lives up to its title.

The Great British Patriot, 24 Jan 2005
This book sums up almost all the great qualities of a man who for so many was one of the greatest Englishman who ever lived. Full of quotes of indeed great wit and humour as well as thought and intelligence. Just a short read of this book will keep you in the best of spirits, and will surely put you in a most patriotic mood. A brilliant read and a must have book.

Almost certainly a true acount, 19 Oct 2008

Perkins has probably made alot of money from this book as it is written in the first person narrative style of an autobiography, and as such draws the reader in and carries him/her along with the "storyline"
Even if some of the accounts in the book are exaggerated (and I have no reason to say that they are), there is so much personal and historical information in this account of Perkins life, that it could easily have been disproved were it not largely truthfull....to my knowledge, he has not been discredited yet, and so we must assume that it is largely true.
I thought this book was rather brilliant actually, and is ideal for anybody who has misgivings, but has not really ever thought about or faced up to the nature of big corporate exploitation of developing countries, the globalization of the world and ...and this is the big one...the consequences for us (the western capitalists), if we continue as we are....we have got it coming to us...big time !! if we carrty on the way we are going
Read it, its a good book that deals with some big issues.... I shall read his follow on book next "the secret history of the American Empire"

Unbelievable Nonsense - I think not!!, 17 Jul 2008
I'm not quite sure what to think of this book. Why? I recently read a book titled 'Great Controversy' by White. It was written about a hundred years before John Perkins wrote this book. Now, the two books are worlds apart, until you come towards the end of White's book, (and you sure have to hang in there and read the whole book), then all of a sudden, Perkins starts to make sense. John Perkins does well in this book! It's more of an overview ... an itroduction to EHM's. If you first read White and then Perkins, you have to admit that perkins hits the nail on the head - or was it White?. But just on it's own this book is a brilliant read. I like it and unless you are 'one of them' you will enjoy it too.

Interesting but far too much sensationalism, 16 Jun 2008
A good read but Perkins spoils it by going over the top with political rhetoric. The book would have been a lot more effective in getting his intended message accross if he allowed his experience to speak for itself rather attempting to direct us how to think.

Despite this, when Perkins stops preaching and self-promoting (you do actually wonder whether he was as important to the whole process as he professes) there are some fascinating stories, it's just a shame that he chooses to interdisperse theses with streams of consciousness and directions such as to "consume less oil".

Confession it is...., 02 Jan 2008
An integral part of foreign policy is obviously economic ambition.
So, i figured this book may give a reasonable insight coming from the horses mouth, however, it is just that..reasonable and no more. It lacked indepth, specific details (there may well be good reasons for this) and seems to merely touch the surface. Far too much emphasis on Perkins` guilt although he always seemed to manage to deal with it for a few more years! People reading this really wont care too much with his personal struggle but then to be fair to Perkins..it is in the title!
Its a good first book which is easy to read and can help to assist being far more critical when reading other material.
I would recommend this but dont expect too much, and if you well advanced in the economic chess game of the world i`d give it a miss.

Personal account of corporate skullduggery, 18 Oct 2007
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a personal account of one man's moral awakening, set against a background of international high finance. The author, John M. Perkins, was a consultant for a consulting company that specialised in `assisting less developed countries to achieve their economic growth potential.' In reality, this involved saddling already impoverished populations with further debt that would cripple future generations. This book, though, is not a dry volume of econometrics or development studies but rather a personal journey from amoral corporate executive shill to a man who rediscovers his essential humanity.

Confessions... follows John Perkins career at Chas T. Main, Inc. (MAIN), and his involvement in such countries as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Panama and Indonesia. Crudely put, Perkins' job required him to undertake studies to prove that country X is on the cusp of an economic boom due to underexploited natural resources but that in order to achieve predicted growth rates of twenty per cent per year for the next five years, the country would require electricity generation stations and accompanying infrastructure (roads, hospitals et cetera) and accommodation for all the construction workers (these economic forecasts were deliberately and grossly exaggerated - low/accurate predictions would lead to less profit for MAIN and possibly even loss of one's job).

Once the World Bank signed off on the forecast, massive loans would be made to the government of country X so that it could afford to undertake such substantial projects. However, when Perkins' economic prophesies fell (far) short, the development firms would vacate and the populations of the countries involved would be left to make the debt repayments; their taxes now being used by the government to finance the interest on the loans, often not the capital itself, instead of investment in schools, healthcare and so forth.

These schemes often involved a transfer of funds from the World Bank to construction and consulting companies like Bechtel, Halliburton and MAIN. In essence, this was a gift from the taxpayer to the corporations, a welfare state for the super-rich, with the money never actually leaving the United States but being transferred directly from the accounts of the World Bank to the accounts of one of the above-mentioned firms (or others).

To quote from the book: "The income ratio of the one-fifth of the world's population in the wealthiest countries to the one-fifth in the poorest countries went from 30 to 1 in 1960 to 74 to 1 in 1995. And the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the IMF [International Monetary Fund], and the rest of the banks, corporations, and governments involved in international "aid" continue to tell us that they are doing their jobs, that progress has been made."

John Perkins (whose papers are still referenced in PhD economic classrooms) was instrumental in such corporate deceit; the more he lied, the more he was rewarded for his skills of consulting and persuasion. What Confessions of an Economic Hit Man relates is how one man woke from his dogmatic slumber, how a life of private corporate jets and five star hotels, huge salaries and exotic locations lost its allure when weighed against the social and environmental legacy that he was bequeathing to his daughter and to the planet as a whole. This is where the book is on its strongest footing, with the personal account. Where it is at its weakest, is on the mechanical details; exactly how Perkins achieved such feats of deception is never fully explained.

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is an easy read, written in a loose, intimate style, more reminiscent of an espionage thriller than a book covering parallel material, such as Joseph Stiglitz's Globalisation and its Discontents. Get Perkins' book for the first-person perspective, get Stiglitz's book for the reform agenda and the academic interpretations of what's gone wrong. Taken together, these two books compliment each other commendably; for details of corporate deception and intrigue, John Perkins' testimony lacks sufficient minutiae but as a narrative of individual corruption, self-justification and ultimately, enlightenment - and which it should be read as such - Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is a success.

This moving story creates an empathy for negro slaves., 01 Sep 1999
This book was moving and a good summer reading book for students like myself in high school.

1sthand account of the evils of this "peculiar institution", 31 Aug 1999
This is a great book, and I feel everyone should read it. Iwasn't forced to read, but I chose to read it on my own in order to better understand the nation's injustices. Douglass' first hand account of slavery is one of the best sources. His writing isn't wordy or difficult to understand, either.

Great man, great book.

Outstanding read, 08 Jun 1999
I Read Douglass for an assignment in my college U.S. History class, and was almost dreading opening this book afraid that Douglass would blame every white person for his torment. Instead I found that Douglass knew the difference between the slave owners and the people who were trying to stop the practice. I finished this book in a matter of days, and respect Douglass as the extreamly brave man that he was. The paper I wrote reflected my outrage that such an occurance could have happened in this beautiful country.

A somewhat flawed review of a flawed man, 17 Nov 2008
I have been intruiged about how George Bush was not only elected once, but re-elected as US president. So, in a bored moment, I bought this book. It promised much,and is worth a read, but cutting to the chase, it was fascinating but fairly distorted ... not by lack of trying, but by trying too hard. Everything was force fitted into a mould that had some truth in it, but was pushed too far. In a little more detail, the backstory was fascinating, the early years likewise, and you can certainly see how his thesis of a man who wants to emulate his father's course, but also draw sharp contrast and be thought of as his own man. Having done this groundwork, it felt like the period of the presidency was skated over, and through the lens of folks like Karl Rove and Dick Cheney. Even here it paints only a sketch of Condi Rice who feels an intruiging figure who, from the little I know, I thought should have been smart enough to provide a more guiding hand. The books written fairly well, but nothing like as well as one might interpret from the reviews.

So, one of the things I was left wondering was how it got the rave reviews it did on the cover - e.g the front cover has a quote from Malcolm Gladwell (he of 'The tipping point') - "Political drama, family history and psychological insight in dazzling combination. If you read one book about George W. Bush and his presidency, this should be it". That would be the same Malcolm Gladwell thanked in the Acknowledgements for his 'keen insights and editorial suggestions' would it? And, the one who dwelt on Jacob's mother Lois extensively within 'The Tipping Point'. So, hardly the disinterested observer that you might imagine.

But, he's in good company, since Jacob also thanks Joe Klein (Author of 'Primary Colors') for the benefits that have come from conversations with him (and others) ... and Joe turns up on the back cover saying 'Scorching, powerful and entirely plausible ... a beautifully written and erudite book, hilarious at times, a joy to read'. In terms of general reviews we have 'A serious, thought-provoking effort to penetrate what instinct tells us muct be an extraordinary family drama' from the Washington Post. Jacob is editor-in-chief of Slate Group, a division of The Washington Post Company in which I must presume the Washington Post is stabled. Maybe it's an innocent connection, but after two spun connections, I am a little skeptical.

But, for all the skepticism, still worth a read, and worth three stars

A Family Madness **, 16 Jun 2008
Drawing on some distorted form of Freudian analysis and dabbling in Shakespeare, Weisberg is at some pains to show how George W. Bush's family heritage formed the President's personality. The son is continually referencing his father in comments and actions, while at the same time trying to distance himself from the 41st President . This isn't the first effort along these lines, nor will it surely be the last. In this well-written, but terribly narrow assessment, the author carefully traces how W.'s actions are a reflection of his reactions to his President father.

The account opens with a summary history of the Bush and Walker families. Their rise, successes and especially their personalities lay the groundwork for what follows. Weisberg carefully follows W.'s life in Texas and his attempts at an education in the East. Yale was not a happy time for the young man, and his reaction to the alien world of "The Eastern Establishment" set patterns he would follow throughout his career. As he haltingly moves toward becoming the Republican nominee [although little is given of that process], Bush begins collecting the men - and a woman - who will become his "inner circle". Karl Rove is a sycophant with a dream, manipulating Bush while being subjected to W's banter. Rove is later joined by Dick Cheney, two men with a dream of remaking the Presidency and US society. It's a compelling, if highly disturbing picture.

The Iraq invasion is, of course, the pivot point for Weisberg's analysis, calling the crusade against Saddam Hussein a total blunder. Yet Weisberg, in his depiction, makes a major gaffe of his own. After making serious effort to show how Bush makes decisions with little consideration, then sticks to the choice against any contending opinions, tells us that the President had not chosen to invade until almost the final moment. This is an astounding reversal of what Weisberg has been presenting throughout the book. The author accepts that the Bush regime "honestly" felt Hussein was a threat and the war decision justified on those grounds. Weisberg lightly passes over those such as Richard Clark or Christopher Meyer who testified Bush had decided on "regime change" long before. He ignores Colin Powell's admission that he was fed a lot of "BS" to present to the UN. Indeed, the contrived WMDs the Bush regime touted so vehemently were declared missing by Hans Blix, who receives not a drop of ink here.

Nothing is offered for why US voters should have returned this misfit to the Presidency. It will be the greatest tragedy in US history if Bush leaves the Presidency without facing charges, but this eventuality never enters Weisberg's account. In fact, no real assessment of the long-term impact of the regime's many Constitutional violations is given. We are given the portrait of a vulnerable man, with the most superficial talents holding sway over government procedures and policies unfit for a democracy. Does Weisberg think any one or a generation of successive Presidents is going to be able to set right what the Bush regime has wrought? Any new President will not be able to purge the Supreme Court of the witless hacks Bush has placed there. Worse, the deep penetration of appointments vetted more for their sympathy to "Christian" evangelical views than for any abilities is not easily uprooted and dispensed with. Weisberg may have well fulfilled the mandate he set himself, but as far as the author's concerned, that will all pass into history's assessment when Bush leaves office. The effect on society will endure. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

** with thanks to Thomas Keneally

a call to reckless generosity and selfless love, 03 Oct 2008
Shane Claiborne has found a different Jesus in the gospels than the mainstream church. He's found a Jesus who is homeless, a friend of the poor, who rails against authority and undermines the empire, who tells a rich man to sell everything he owns and give the money away. This is Claiborne's model, and he has done his best to find it, live it and prove such a life is possible.

The book follows his journey, from the disillusionment with the church of his youth, and the ambitious and wealthy `megachurches' where he trained. He talks about how he came to bond with the poor in Philadelphia, and then travelled to Calcutta to see if Mother Theresa offered a better demonstration of Christ than the ones around him. He visits Iraq in the middle of the war, testing Jesus' call to be a peacemaker. He helps stage a `re-distribution' on Wall Street and heckles George W Bush at the Republican conference. He is, in his own words, an `ordinary radical' - radically different, but rooted in real people and real situations.

Claiborne rejects the idea that Christianity has nothing more to offer than some distant and otherworldly heaven. It's a great reminder that the church is a missionary agency: we're meant to go to the poor and the hungry, not wait for them to come to us. There's loads of good stuff about power, simplicity, and community, that's worth coming back to. It's a call to reckless generosity and selfless love in a world of "big beasts and little prophets." It is hopeful, expectant, uncompromising.

'The Irresistable Revolution'is a provocative book, raising more issues than it answers. That's not an approach that everyone will appreciate, but for those ready to ask difficult questions of themselves and their faith, this is a challenge you'll want to take seriously.

An absolutely essential read, 17 Sep 2008
If Shane Claiborne keeps writing books like this he is going to get himself assasinated. I can think of no greater accolade then that.

refreshing, 07 Sep 2008
I found this book really encouraging. It gave me a lot to think about and reminded me of lots of things I believe are important in terms of the two principle commandments of the Bible "Love God with all your heart, mind and soul. Love your neighbour as yourself" 15 to 20 years ago I had read books by Jim Wallis, Ron Sider and Tony Campolo which seemed to call many Western Christians to thinking about justice and a simpler lifestyle.

Shane Claiborne starts to understand what God says about the poor and loving others almost by accident when he is studying theology at a US Bible school - one that I guess would be described as liberal rather than conservative in US terms. Some friends invite him to come and hang out with some of their friends who happen to be homeless.

The book is SC's story and the story of some of the people he meets along the way with whom he shares part of his life. It includes much of his struggles as he evaluates Scripture trying to see it afresh and not within all the confines of his background in church culture. He works a few months with Mother Theresa, was involved in living with the homeless, lives in a poor community in Philadelphia, went to Iraq with a group promoting peace and is astonished by the love and risks that Iraqi Christians would take to protect their American brothers.

It reminded me of the community that followers of Christ should be developing and not just with one another. It made me go back and read Matt 25 when Jesus talks about God's judgement involving the way we treat the poor, the sick, the foreigner, the criminal etc. It is uncomfortable.

I did not think SC was proposing everyone do what he does. He is not trying to recruit followers. He is prompting us to think about how we live as followers of Christ an to be more open to those marginalised in society, accepting people unlike us in our homes and lives.

There were parts of the book which annoyed me and I felt that he perhaps did some things just to provoke a reaction. I felt it possibly could have
been 100 pages shorter and still got the same message over. The style with frequent asides in parenthesis, which work if you are giving a speech, but are irritating when used over and over in a written work got a bit wearing. The style seemed written for students and early twenties, although the content should actually be for all ages.

However overall I found it deeply encouraging and challenging. I am reminded of how community with the poor is not just about justice or improving their situation, it is also about the rich getting the opportunity to know God more in profound ways through individuals who come into our lives. That seemed to be the way Mother Theresa saw it and I remember one incident in my own life of seeing God's image more clearly through a severly disabled, poor beggar who sat patiently waiting for gifts. He apalled me at first, until I saw the loving way some other interacted with him and despite the fact he could not speek his openess to others.

Community in the love of God is not a duty, it is a gift for all, but requires a lot of work.



Serious about being the change you want to see ? Read this., 08 Jul 2008
One of the most powerful and engaging autobiographical works from a `frontline' Christian activist I've read in a long time. It's impossible not to like Shane Claiborne, whose infectious love for Jesus and total commitment to bringing his love to all, whether North Philadelphia's poor or the bombed citizens of Iraq, is plain to see. Claiborne is someone all Christians (and others) could learn from for sheer breadth of sympathy across the Christian traditions, sense of vocation, and depth of theological understanding blended with sassy political commitment to bringing about change. A must-read.

Where is the gospel?, 23 Feb 2008
I should say at the outset, I think I'm out on a limb here. Everyone else seems to raving about this book. But I'm not so sure.

First, the good stuff. I think Shane Claiborne (SC) writes boldly and strikingly about various topics. Much of the book is a wake-up call for those who have got used to dull, timid, worldly, 'big', Christianity. He is immensely quotable: "Most of the time when I see Christian superstars like Jerry Falwell or Al Sharpton, I feel I'm watching professional wrestling. There's a lot of shouting and sweating, but the people seem too superhuman, and I'm not convinced all the moves are real." (p27)
He has some excellent material on the value of singleness. (p109-111) That's humbled me, and reminded me that I need to try to promote that in a Biblical way. Then there's some good stuff about the worthlessness of "cool": "...we must be either hot or cold, because if we are lukewarm (an old-school way of saying "cool"), we will be spit out of God's mouth"! (p230) There are lots of other helpful areas too, mostly only a few pages at a time.
He has lots of great stories, many of which would be excellent sermon-illustration material!

Now the bad stuff:
1) It's *very* Ameri-centric. Big chunks of the book are spent critiquing the Christian Right. Most of that didn't resonate with my experience of the Church in the UK. We don't do flags on the platform, singing anthems, rallying our troups into war or party politics. All that felt a bit meaningless to me as a Brit - who am I to criticise Christians living in another country and culture?

2) Because it's the experiences of a single guy, living in community, doing some wild and crazy things, I just don't see how much of what he says relates to me. I mean, I have a wife and 3 kids. I can't exactly move to Iraq for a while, or open up my house as a homeless shelter (not that I think there's nearly so much need here anyway - see point 1!). What he has effectively done is to abandon his entire culture. Now that's great for him, because he was in a position to do it. But the huge, vast, majority simply aren't. I'm not prepared to because I don't see that there's anything inherently wrong with having a house, or a car, or a job, or food. Parts of our culture are good (schools, hospitals, homes). If you want to live outside popular culture, fine. But I'd rather live out the Christ-life within it. Which is equally as difficult, and arguably more so. He's advocating a form of monastic asceticism that I'm not convinced is Biblical.

3) He redefines well-established theological terms. What he means by words like "evangelical", "conversion" and "gospel" are simply not the same as orthodox, Biblical, Christianity. For example: "Conversion is not an event but a process, a process of slowly tearing ourselves away from the clutches of the culture." No it isn't. Conversion has nothing to do with releasing oneself from the bonds of culture. It's the act of repentance and faith, when we repond to the gospel. Forgive me if I can't see the link between historic conversion and SC's. I suppose "sanctification" would be a more correct word for what he's talking about.

4) He caricatures the church.
"...if someone had a heart-attack on Sunday morning, the paramedics would have to take the pulse of half the congregation before they would find the dead person" (p43) OK, very funny. But certainly not my experience of good, Biblical, modern church. He gives the impression that churches are all navel-gazing, introverted, holy huddles with no interest or ability to communicate with the outside world. Well, again, there are loads of churches that care for the poor, the lonely, the disposessed. In Ipswich, UK, we have "Street Pastors" who are out in the clubs and pubs at the weekend, looking after the drunks and the dropouts; there is a pregnancy crisis centre, a drug rehab centre is soon to open. There's work amongst prostitutes and the homeless. We do care. Perhaps not enough, perhaps we could do with being better resourced. But we *are* trying to live out a life of faith in our culture, and it hurts a bit to be told we aren't.

5) He minimises the importance of theology:
"I learnt more about God from the tears of homeless mothers than a systematic theology ever taught me" (p51) Now, I know the guy is a firm post-modern and that post-moderns like stories more than facts etc etc. But, that kind of statement calls into question the whole value of theology. What did the tears of homeless mothers *actually* teach him? That sharing is good? That we should care for each other? Great - but not much about God. What can those things *possibly* teach us about God? We are made in his likeness, not he in ours. We don't learn about God by looking at fallen sinners (no matter how vulnerable or holy); we learn about God from the Word. SC has it the wrong way around.
Again, "When people ask me if I am Protestant or Catholic, I just answer 'yes.'. And when people ask me if we are evangelicals, I...say, 'Absolutely, we want to spread the kingdom of God like crazy.'" Well, I'm sorry, but the differences between Protestant and Catholic theology *are* important. They espouse completely different ideas about how to relate to God, the authority of the Bible, the