Product Description

"The American empire": these words sound to Americans like an oxymoron, suggesting that their country has a lust for political, economic and military hegemony over the rest of the world. But William Blum shows here that encounters between the US and other nations have been of the cruellest kind.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48792 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 323 pages

Review
'This is not a book for anyone who wishes to maintain any cosy illusions about their own liberty... we find in these pages, meticulously detailed and annotated, all the instances of assassination, covert and overt destabilisation, election-rigging, sponsorship of terrorism, secret surveillance, brainwashing and provocation that the US has employed to further its burgeoning corporate empire... After reading Rogue State, it is impossible to hang fast to the comforting illusion that the 'American Way' is some kind of enlightenment' - Will Self in The New Statesman 'Rogue State is a book of charges to be tied to a paving stone and thrown at the men in Washington' - The Independent on Sunday 'William Blum, once of the US State Department, gives a chilling reminder that while there may be no justification for 11 September, there may be reasons' - Mavis Cheek in The Observer, Books of the Year 2001

About the Author
WILLIAM BLUM left the State Department in 1967, abandoning his aspiration of becoming a Foreign Service Officer because of his opposition to what the US was doing in Vietnam. He founded the Washington Free Press, the capital's first 'alternative' newspaper, and developed an alternative career as a freelance journalist in the US, Europe and South America. He is the author of The CIA: A Forgotten History (Zed Books, 1988).+

Customer Reviews

Fascinating and frightening
Mr Blum's book is well researched and well written. It is not, as I first suspected it might be, a vitriolic anti-American rant. The facts are presented with a minimum of embelishment.
No doubt there will be some who will dispute some of the arguements he presents, but much of it is beyond reproach, such as the section on the US's shameful voting at the UN.
For those of us who are concerned that the British are following the US into one mistaken action after another, it makes very sobering reading.
In his war against terrorism George Dubya needs to look no further than his own secret service to find examples of murder and coercion.
Read this book, then have a stiff drink as you remind yourself that the USA is leader of the free world.

a superb book that NEEDS to be read by all
William Blum's book is the perfect antidote to the endless pack of lies that we are presently being told by Bush, Blair and the BBC about Iraq and the constant presumption of good that is bestowed upon the USA.
In the 60's Blum worked for the State Department but could only take so much. He has since dedicated himself to trying to counter through one medium or another to mythology of US political credibility. Like all great American dissident writers he cares first and foremost about the victims of terror, torture, genocide and aggression. That may sound familiar as it is the same claim made by the usual suspects who forever appear on Newsnight BUT with one great difference. Their indignation is also about the far lesser crimes of the enemies of the USA (who almost always owe their careers to the CIA in the first place)
while Blum is concerned with the far greater crimes committed upon vastly greater numbers of people by the American Empire.
His style of writing is clear, precise, verifiable and designed for a generation of people who want clear writing that can be read on the commuter trains and time spent in airports and on planes as well as a good read at home.

The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that should be reserved for grander works like Chomsky's YEAR 501 but this work is far accessible for a wider audience.

Excellent book.
An important account of US conduct in the world that the folks on the tele refuse to mention.

An eye opener.
I once heard the phrase; "there are three sides to every story."
His side, Her side, And the truth!

In this book Bill Blum gives a fascinating account of America's foreign policy, opening one's eyes to the disgusting 'truth' behind the government of the world's largest superpower. You will become sceptical to the point where you will question the reliability of every account America makes and wonder if any one's account comes close to this mystical thing known as the truth!

A wonderful read, with an underlying dry humour, that will make your mind twist in a new dimension!

Everyone should read this book to at least have some realisation of how things actually work when your playing god!