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vanerpje's review
5.0
This book was an excellent surprise. I expected a biography of Smedley Butler, cumulating with a discussion of the attempted coup by American businessmen. What I read was much broader than that, including a discussion about the expansion of American Empire across three continents.
harbinger1230's review
5.0
A grim, detailed look at the building of America's overseas empire from the perspective of a marine at the forefront of it all. Paired with a modern trek following the same path to investigate and reflect on the legacy and ongoing struggles this empire has wrought. Mired with racism, corruption and exploitation, it leaves one with a lot to think about after shining a light on an area of history often left shuttered.
outtoexist's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This and How to Hide an Empire should be required readings - so insightful! I especially loved learning about somebody, Butler, who was an absolutely essential part of the American colonial movement only to learn & grow past that. It's an especially important reminder that minds can change and people are not (or shouldn't be) defined by their worst choices. Especially given that in the US military those choices are usually made when soldiers are very young!
kswerner27's review
5.0
One of my favorite non-fiction books I’ve ever read. Katz does a fantastic job tracing the history of American imperialism through the lens of a single man. I learned about numerous conflicts I knew happened but never knew the details of. His portrait of Butler is both uncompromising and nuanced. I also especially enjoyed Katz’s stories of his modern day travels to places the Marines invaded in the early 1900s, which add a flavor to the book and make it more lively than a standard history book. Highly recommend!
ian_in_dallas's review
3.0
Overall it is a worthwhile read if only to point out how quickly all of this U.S. imperialism took place, more or less in the span of one mans career.
I really did not like the way that the author centered there experience of fallowing the foot steps of the Butler, it felt like it was at times white washing the experiences of the people in those place and their stores and troubles. It was at the Verry least off-putting. I suppose that is the trap of the biographer I don't know.
I really did not like the way that the author centered there experience of fallowing the foot steps of the Butler, it felt like it was at times white washing the experiences of the people in those place and their stores and troubles. It was at the Verry least off-putting. I suppose that is the trap of the biographer I don't know.