General Smedley Butler’s frank book shows how American war efforts were animated by big-business interests. This extraordinary argument again...
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Nov 06, 2011
Bird Brian
rated it: 
If I wrote a book saying that I think all people, in their hearts, are basically good.... (yawn)... who would care? When Anne Frank wrote the very same thing while she was living in a secret compartment of her neighbor's home, hiding from jackboots who would work her to death in a concentration camp... well, Goddamn, that's quite a statement! ...one that leaves everybody is quite appropriately blown away.
This book isn't quite on Anne Frank's level, but it has a lot of a More...
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Feb 11, 2009
Paul
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The pieces that make up this book were first published about 70 years ago. Butler was a highly decorated Marine Brigadier General who was involved in many military expeditions in the early 20th century to countries like Haiti, China and Cuba. After retiring, he exposed a corporate/fascist plot to seize the White House right after Franklin Roosevelt became President. After that, he began to speak out about the real motives behind America's military actions--profit.
Just before World Wa More...
Just before World Wa More...
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Dec 13, 2008
Cwn_annwn_13
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Written in the 1930's by a highly decorated Marine Corps General this short book is an essay exposing the utter scam that every war that America has been involved in for at least the past 100 years has been. Although it exposes the horrors and damage that war causes both in Butlers essay and with the inclusion of some gruesome photos War is a Racket is not some limp wristed pacifist liberal tripe. What it is is an essay by a man who connected the dots and realized after many years that he in his
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Apr 17, 2009
James
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A scathing condemnation of the corporate-military complex by a quirky retired general who was one of the biggest legends and role models in the U.S. Marine Corps; Smedley Butler, nicknamed "Old Gimlet Eye," had a tattoo of the USMC emblem that covered his chest and was the only Marine officer to win the Medal of Honor, America's highest decoration for both effectiveness and outrageous courage in combat (a high percentage of Medals of Honor must be awarded posthumously; you can't do som
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Nov 28, 2007
jeremy
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when the most decorated marine in u.s. history has penned a scathing, ferocious, and reasoned polemic against armed conflict (as well as the military-industrial complex), it's hard to discount it as the naive, conciliatory ramblings of a do-gooder pacifist.
sadly, we americans laugh appallingly at the mere thought of creating a cabinet-level department of peace (as suggested by congressman & presidential candidate dennis kucinich), yet it was major general butler (awarded the congress More...
sadly, we americans laugh appallingly at the mere thought of creating a cabinet-level department of peace (as suggested by congressman & presidential candidate dennis kucinich), yet it was major general butler (awarded the congress More...
May 05, 2011
Ryan
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Smedley Butler's classic isolationist pamphlet is a must-read for every American in these latter days of overseas adventurism. Unfortunately, this edition suffers from poor editing and poor proofreading that give it a distinctly amateurish feel and make me think twice about recommending it. Adam Parfrey's well-intentioned but incoherent introduction likewise detracts from the credibility of the work, which is unfortunate, because Smedley Butler rightfully stands tall in the pantheon of Marine Co
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Feb 03, 2011
Staci
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Wow... so I have to write a 10 page paper on General Butler and this book was just filled to the max about why war is a racket. War is about profit. War requires money, men, and supplies. So why did we enter World War I? It was the Europeans war over imperialism and ultimate power trips. Why did the US get involved when we had declared neutrality?
Wilson's slogan "he kept us out of the war" enabled him to get elected, but 5 months later, he declared war on Germany. In order to the More...
Wilson's slogan "he kept us out of the war" enabled him to get elected, but 5 months later, he declared war on Germany. In order to the More...
Dec 12, 2011
Vannessagrace
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War Is A Racket is an in your face exposé about the lies politicians tell American taxpayers to justify their bloodthirsty and psychopathic lust for war.
Impressive quotes:
I spent 33 years in the Marines, most of my time being a high-class muscle man for big business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for Capitalism. Front cover.
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and More...
Impressive quotes:
I spent 33 years in the Marines, most of my time being a high-class muscle man for big business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for Capitalism. Front cover.
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and More...
Oct 06, 2008
"The Business Plot (also the Plot Against FDR and the White House Putsch) was a political conspiracy in 1933 wherein wealthy businessmen and corporations plotted a coup d’état to overthrow United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1934, the Business Plot was publicly revealed by retired Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler testifying to the McCormack-Dickstein Congressional Committee. [1] In his testimony, Butler claimed that a group of men had approached him as part of a plot
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Aug 12, 2008
Sean T
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I just reread this in the Veterans for Peace Edition, which includes an appendix of every US military action from 1890 to 1995 (should be updated soon). Although it is structured in chapters, has a preface, introduction, and appendix, it is still only about 40 pages long, and can be easily (not the right word) read in about an hour, even by a slow reader like me.
Major General Smedley Butler (USMC, Ret) stands on his experience and credibility as the most decorated Marine in history ( More...
Major General Smedley Butler (USMC, Ret) stands on his experience and credibility as the most decorated Marine in history ( More...
Dec 28, 2007
"Greg
rated it:
Assuming you're not willfully ignorant concerning modern politics, there's nothing here you haven't heard before. But War is a Racket's interest derives from its pedigree. Written in 1935 by retired U.S. General Smedley Butler -- at the time the most decorated soldier in United States history -- it's a scathing indictment of what Eisenhower would later dub the military-industrial complex. Butler correctly predicts the encroaching second World War, and lays out its foundations as a means for the
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Jul 27, 2009
Nick
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At the time of his death in 1940, Maj. General Butler was the most highly decorated Marine in United States history. He served with distinction for 34 years and was beloved by his men. In 1934 he exposed a fascist/corporatist plot to overthrow the FDR government and became an outspoken anti-interventionist and critic of the military industrial complex.
This is a small collection of his work, and in many respects it is just as true today as when it was written.
This is a small collection of his work, and in many respects it is just as true today as when it was written.
Aug 15, 2011
Rob
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Any Marine will tell you it's hard to find a more decorated hero in America than Gen. Smedley Butler. Earned the Medal of Honor twice over. So when Butler leaves the service after a long and storied career to speak on anti-war (and anti-capitalist) sentiments, I listen. Short and worthwhile.
My one problem w/ Butler is his anti-war analysis ignore those wars which I think history has judged worth getting into. Leading up to WWII - which imo was necessary in order to rid the world of a More...
My one problem w/ Butler is his anti-war analysis ignore those wars which I think history has judged worth getting into. Leading up to WWII - which imo was necessary in order to rid the world of a More...
Feb 05, 2009
Merrick
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This is a classic. I read this in college around the beginning of the Iraq War. Butler's thinking is way ahead of its time. (I believe WWI era.) I think this might be the where the term military-industrial complex came from.
Anyone interested in how governments convince the public war is a good idea and then why it is in the interests of the people in charge of the government to keep us at war (which should be everyone) should read this book.
Anyone interested in how governments convince the public war is a good idea and then why it is in the interests of the people in charge of the government to keep us at war (which should be everyone) should read this book.
Jan 01, 2009
Eddie
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A very good book. Every Marine knows the honorable name of the author. His words show us that one doesn't have to accept without question the reasons for war simply because one is military. War is a racket where insane profits are made. Rid those profits and many of our wars cease. If Marines would embody Semper Fidelis one is to remember that faithfulnes to country and blind acceptance/obedience are not the same.
Aug 03, 2010
Brandon
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"War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives."
"I spent 33 years in the Marines. Most of my time being a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism."
Etc etc. More relevant than ever. One of those rare books every citizen should read.
"I spent 33 years in the Marines. Most of my time being a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism."
Etc etc. More relevant than ever. One of those rare books every citizen should read.
Oct 13, 2009
Kamil
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I think every American citizen particularly those running for office must be obligated to read this brief bbut powerful book.
I quote the author on page 66"...if we reall want to make it impossible to have our young men sent abroad to fight the wars of others, then let us by all means insist upon adding the Peace Amendment to the Constitution of the United States".
I quote the author on page 66"...if we reall want to make it impossible to have our young men sent abroad to fight the wars of others, then let us by all means insist upon adding the Peace Amendment to the Constitution of the United States".
May 31, 2011
War is a Racket (1935) - Smedley Butler
For Memorial Day! I put this in a must read category. This is a patriot's book. Half of the federal budget spent on the military, and much of that specifically in war.
You can find this on line, and it's a good short read.
For Memorial Day! I put this in a must read category. This is a patriot's book. Half of the federal budget spent on the military, and much of that specifically in war.
You can find this on line, and it's a good short read.
May 08, 2008
Paul
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Although he's writing primarily about WWI, the processes cannot have changed much. We hear a lot about how oil companies are profiting from the current war in Iraq, but we don't consider all the other industries, and financiers, that profit from it as well. I would love to see a modern version of Butler's tallying of profits, with the addition of every member of congress who owns stock in those companies.
Butler has very grounded reasons for his anti-interventionist stance. It's More...
Butler has very grounded reasons for his anti-interventionist stance. It's More...
Apr 03, 2011
Geoff
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Cannot recommend this book highly enough. Will transform your view of the history of American power. A very, very important text by a fascinating guy.
Jun 10, 2009
Terry
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Short, fast, powerful read. Some of the thoughts and ideals are dated (which is to be expected)...but the general feeling and outlook is very relevant today. A great starting point for discussion (particularly on the topic of the amount US involvement in military operations outside of our borders).
Sep 08, 2010
Steven
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A case against pre-emptive war by one of America's most decorated soldiers. The case he made between the World Wars holds true today.
Nov 15, 2010
How have I never heard of this book before? Must read before revising the diss.
Nov 19, 2009
Andrew
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Plainly written, clearly spelling out what we still know is a problem even today.
Jun 30, 2009
Eric
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Insightful look into the profit motives of WWI by Marine Corps MajGen. Smedley Butler.
Apr 07, 2010
Christopher
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This guy speaks the truth, the bankers and Wall Street run our country. The best thing you can get from this book is, "who benefits from war the most?" and "who pays for it the most?"
There's not a lot of philosophy in this book, just plain talking. And this is a pamphlet more than a book.
The only part I didn't like was him talking about amending the Constitution, but it's not like I'm holding a better idea.
There's not a lot of philosophy in this book, just plain talking. And this is a pamphlet more than a book.
The only part I didn't like was him talking about amending the Constitution, but it's not like I'm holding a better idea.
Nov 19, 2008
Emily
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If you have ever read Catch 22 and wondered if the actions of Milo Minderbinder are true, just take an hour to read this short account of the wastefulness of war. Currently being in a time of war, it really makes my stomach turn to know we are going further in debt, not only to kill people, but on self-serving contracts and unnecessary "supply" purchases.
