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fowzee's review against another edition
3.0
appreciative of the way it helped me understand the different ways in which U.S. imperialism ravages the global south (especially in regard to Somalia). i think all Somali (men) who refuse to expand their analysis beyond tribalism/corruption need to read this lol. to paraphrase Kwame Ture, any analysis you make of an oppressed people that leaves out the oppressor will always result in an incorrect analysis.
zachcarter's review
4.0
This is a really phenomenal introduction to how the American Empire operates, and offers a cursory glance at the history of U.S. intervention, both militarily and economically. Having read so much history of U.S. empire, I didn't learn too much per se, but it definitely was really well written and I would suggest this to anyone who's relatively new to real history and wants to learn the dates and names of Third World movements and how the U.S. responds to them.
frogwithlittlehammer's review
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
(For Marxist book club.)
I think it’s a great big picture read. A lot of people seem to say that it’s not a very comprehensive read but I disagree, I think it’s just a bit off the mark. Really lucid and has good information, but it’s clear that Parenti thinks that there is something redeemable about America, and that there needs to be a true democracy in the republic. I don’t think that it being America-centric is a valid critique either because that’s the book’s thesis and contextualizing the solution in a international lens doesn’t seem like Parenti’s m.o. At the end of the day, I don’t think anyone would say it’s a Marxist read, even if Parenti is one himself.
But I enjoyed it. I think I need to stop giving overarching revisionist histories a try though because in reality I’m not the intended audience anymore. Which is nice to know I guess 😚
I think it’s a great big picture read. A lot of people seem to say that it’s not a very comprehensive read but I disagree, I think it’s just a bit off the mark. Really lucid and has good information, but it’s clear that Parenti thinks that there is something redeemable about America, and that there needs to be a true democracy in the republic. I don’t think that it being America-centric is a valid critique either because that’s the book’s thesis and contextualizing the solution in a international lens doesn’t seem like Parenti’s m.o. At the end of the day, I don’t think anyone would say it’s a Marxist read, even if Parenti is one himself.
But I enjoyed it. I think I need to stop giving overarching revisionist histories a try though because in reality I’m not the intended audience anymore. Which is nice to know I guess 😚
7danut7's review
i'm not gonna be a cocomelon parent you WILL sit down and read michael parenti