Reviews with content warning for Colonisation - The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program That Shaped Our World

This book was incredibly well written and informative. In many ways reading this book was horrifying because it made me realise how little I know about certain political events. The events described are horrifying but everyone should know about them. The stories relayed here showcase the power of political propaganda and radicalisation and the corrupt nature of Western involvement in international politics. Not being educated on the impact the covert and open involvement of the West has had in other countries creates the opportunity for ignorance to be exploited. We should all be aware of what governments are doing so we can ensure they are held accountable for their actions and do not abuse their power to incite mass violence and further their own agendas.

The book has many mentions of war, colonialism, violence, kidnapping, sexual violence and slavery. None of it is very graphic but it can be very uncomfortable and triggering.

Content Warnings

cinnaminskies's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

4.75

Content Warnings

zoinkie's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

Content Warnings

bjaimes's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

Overall, the Jarkarta Method offers a deep glimpse into the US state apparatus and the role it played in endorsing the mass murder of leftists and civilians across the globe. If you aren't aware of this fact or if you are only vaguely aware of this, you should read this to understand the CIA playbook towards the Global South. Across the globe, the only justification the CIA needed to topple a democratically elected government was a lack of cooperation with Washington. The hypocrisy of the US government will never cease to amaze me. There are also incredible insights on how the US media like the New York Times further enabled the US interventions by unquestioningly parroting the government position on international issues. And remember, this EXACT status quo is still being preserved and enforced today!!!

Although informative, Bevins seems to have a pretty strong liberal bias. I can't blame him, since this book is probably an introduction to US imperialism for many folks. Ultimately, we need books that pull liberals further to the left. It does make the book harder to get through as a communist, however. If you are looking for any defense of revolutionary tactics, you will not find that here.

As I read books like this, I'm always struck by how many of these critical decisions were made by white men. There are some absolutely DERANGED quotes from US government officials, all of them white men. They somehow find a way to justify the most heinous crimes against humanity all in the name of anticommunism. Another issue I have with this book is Bevin's tendency to humanize these actions. Somehow, as long as they thought that fighting communism was the "good fight", they don't have to take accountability for their crimes. In my eyes, these men are the scum of the earth.

Content Warnings

More...