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The Naked Capitalist
"The Naked Capitalist" by W. Cleon Skousen - A Review and Commentary on Dr. Carroll Quigley's book: A Tragedy and Hope- the History of the World in Our Time .
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1970
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761 people want to read
About the author
W. Cleon Skousen
153 books181 followersW. Cleon Skousen (1913-2006) was a popular teacher, lecturer and author in the United States for over 40 years. Born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada on January 20, 1913, Dr. Skousen’s growing up years were spent in Canada, Mexico, and California.
At age 17 he was called to serve a two-year, LDS mission to Great Britain for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He later attended college at the San Bernardino Junior College where he was elected Student Body President.
With scholarships and encouragements, he left California in 1934 to work as a government aid in Washington DC. Later Dr. Skousen applied and was hired as an FBI agent.
Dr. Skousen married his sweetheart, Jewel Pitcher of San Bernardino, California, August 1936. During the past 69 years, they have raised 8 children and are the grandparents of 50 grandchildren and over 69 great-grandchildren. He resided in Salt Lake City, Utah, the remainder of his life.
Dr. Skousen served the FBI for 16 years (1935-1951), and worked closely with J. Edgar Hoover. In 1951 he was asked to join the faculty of Brigham Young University. Here he headed up the Student Alumni organization. In 1956 he was asked to serve as Chief of Police of Salt Lake City. During his 4 year service, he also wrote his national best seller, "The Naked Communist." He also was the editor of the nations leading police magazine, "Law And Order." In 1960 he left the police force and began speaking tours around the country on the political crisis during that time period. He also ran for the governors office in Utah, but narrowly missed the primaries.
In 1967, Dr. Skousen returned to BYU as a professor in the Religion Department. He taught classes on The Book of Mormon, The Old Testament, and early LDS Church History. He continued that assignment until his retirement in 1978.
In 1972 Dr. Skousen organized a non-profit educational foundation, named "The Freemen Institute." Later changed to "The National Center for Constitutional Studies" (NCCS), Dr. Skousen and his staff became the nation’s leading organization in teaching seminars on the Founding Fathers and the U.S. Constitution. His book, "The Making of America" has been used nation-wide to educate students on the original intent of the Founders.
His many books and recordings include subjects from raising boys to principles of good government, to prophetic history. Listed in this web site are all the books and tapes which are still available today; Dr. Skousen shares a wealth of knowledge and optimism--a "diamond dust" of exciting history and eternal principles of hope, that calms the sea in today's stormy world of seemingly chaos and uncertainty.
Dr. Skousen passed away peacefully in his home on January 9, 2006, of natural causes incident to age, just 11 days shy of his ninety-third birthday. He was lovingly surrounded by his family and wife Jewel, with whom he was anticipating their 70th wedding anniversary in August. He will truly be missed by many.
At age 17 he was called to serve a two-year, LDS mission to Great Britain for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He later attended college at the San Bernardino Junior College where he was elected Student Body President.
With scholarships and encouragements, he left California in 1934 to work as a government aid in Washington DC. Later Dr. Skousen applied and was hired as an FBI agent.
Dr. Skousen married his sweetheart, Jewel Pitcher of San Bernardino, California, August 1936. During the past 69 years, they have raised 8 children and are the grandparents of 50 grandchildren and over 69 great-grandchildren. He resided in Salt Lake City, Utah, the remainder of his life.
Dr. Skousen served the FBI for 16 years (1935-1951), and worked closely with J. Edgar Hoover. In 1951 he was asked to join the faculty of Brigham Young University. Here he headed up the Student Alumni organization. In 1956 he was asked to serve as Chief of Police of Salt Lake City. During his 4 year service, he also wrote his national best seller, "The Naked Communist." He also was the editor of the nations leading police magazine, "Law And Order." In 1960 he left the police force and began speaking tours around the country on the political crisis during that time period. He also ran for the governors office in Utah, but narrowly missed the primaries.
In 1967, Dr. Skousen returned to BYU as a professor in the Religion Department. He taught classes on The Book of Mormon, The Old Testament, and early LDS Church History. He continued that assignment until his retirement in 1978.
In 1972 Dr. Skousen organized a non-profit educational foundation, named "The Freemen Institute." Later changed to "The National Center for Constitutional Studies" (NCCS), Dr. Skousen and his staff became the nation’s leading organization in teaching seminars on the Founding Fathers and the U.S. Constitution. His book, "The Making of America" has been used nation-wide to educate students on the original intent of the Founders.
His many books and recordings include subjects from raising boys to principles of good government, to prophetic history. Listed in this web site are all the books and tapes which are still available today; Dr. Skousen shares a wealth of knowledge and optimism--a "diamond dust" of exciting history and eternal principles of hope, that calms the sea in today's stormy world of seemingly chaos and uncertainty.
Dr. Skousen passed away peacefully in his home on January 9, 2006, of natural causes incident to age, just 11 days shy of his ninety-third birthday. He was lovingly surrounded by his family and wife Jewel, with whom he was anticipating their 70th wedding anniversary in August. He will truly be missed by many.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 7, 2011
Excellent book that goes along well with the powerfully informative DVD "The Money Masters" in exposing the roots of the Anglo-American Establishment, or as I like to think of it, The Whore, written of in the book of Revelation, that rides the Beast (Communism, Fascism, etc.).
gone-gave-away
April 15, 2025I read some of this years ago and thought it was pretty good. I worked with some Utah folk that knew him, some nicknamed him ClingOn Skousen.
His son Mark Skousen is a respected economist.
i thought my ex was finally interested in one of my books [20th Century] when she picked it up once. It was just the Naked part, and she put it right back down.
i have an interesting pro-Israel book of his that depicts the miracles from the Arab-Israeli wars in the 1960s. i think I gave away Naked Communist before reading it.
His son Mark Skousen is a respected economist.
i thought my ex was finally interested in one of my books [20th Century] when she picked it up once. It was just the Naked part, and she put it right back down.
i have an interesting pro-Israel book of his that depicts the miracles from the Arab-Israeli wars in the 1960s. i think I gave away Naked Communist before reading it.
September 30, 2014
I got in with some very conservative friends in an effort to support Joe Ferguson's bid for US House of Representatives. We went to one of Cleon Skousen's talks about the US Constitution. He recommended this book. I read it and was scared. This book claims a lot of things communists do are also directly done by rich capitalists. It allies the two. Again, what we can do about it is a mystery as they seem so powerful and unstopable.
December 31, 2012
It's interesting to note that Pres. Bill Clinton believed in Dr. Carroll Quigley and his beliefs written in his book, "Tragedy of Hope". Clinton made this comment in a campaign speech during his first run for office and led me to read this book. (Also interesting to note...Barack Obama's book was called "Audacity of Hope".)
April 5, 2010
An abridged version of the Carroll Quigley book, Tragedy and Hope.
If you think Joe McCarthy was too soft, the Trilateral Commission guides world history and live on a militia compound in the Idaho panhandle, this book is for you.
If you think Joe McCarthy was too soft, the Trilateral Commission guides world history and live on a militia compound in the Idaho panhandle, this book is for you.
November 22, 2009
I think Skousen said it best...
"...the great contribution which Dr. Carroll Quigley unintentionally made by writing "Tragedy And Hope" [and Skousen intentionally pointed out in "The Naked Capitalist":]was to help the ordinary American realize the utter contempt which the network leaders have for ordinary people. Human beings are treated en masse as helpless puppets on an international chess board where giants of economic and politcal power subject them to wars, revolution, civil strife, confiscation, subversion, indoctrination, manipulation and outright deception as it suits their fancy and their concocted schemes for world domination."
"...the great contribution which Dr. Carroll Quigley unintentionally made by writing "Tragedy And Hope" [and Skousen intentionally pointed out in "The Naked Capitalist":]was to help the ordinary American realize the utter contempt which the network leaders have for ordinary people. Human beings are treated en masse as helpless puppets on an international chess board where giants of economic and politcal power subject them to wars, revolution, civil strife, confiscation, subversion, indoctrination, manipulation and outright deception as it suits their fancy and their concocted schemes for world domination."
January 24, 2019
As always W. C. Skousen has written a formidable conservative treatise on Communism and its threat to dominate our world. I would love to see his political works taught in our public schools. It would definitely change our future for the better. I highly recommend it to all.
October 11, 2008
Serious food for thought. I knew much of this was going on in some way or other, but to have Skousen point out the corruption in politics is eye-opening. Funny thing is, this book was written in 1970. This is a must read for every American.
February 6, 2025
Literally what was that
Edit: I understand the point he was making- or attempting to make. At best this book is McCarthyism on whippets and at worst a book that has caused severe damage to the political comprehension of minds since the 20th century. Academics are forced to weaponize education to push communist agendas but Skousen himself was a professor.
Somehow also still ends up supporting communism? He talks about political barriers between the “middle” class and the 1% and how they’ve become disenfranchised and resort to political cannibalism out of propagated fear that rich people push to create divides. If the middle class realize they have more in common with poor people than rich, they’ll do something about the rich.
The epitome of when you go so far right, you go left.
Edit: I understand the point he was making- or attempting to make. At best this book is McCarthyism on whippets and at worst a book that has caused severe damage to the political comprehension of minds since the 20th century. Academics are forced to weaponize education to push communist agendas but Skousen himself was a professor.
Somehow also still ends up supporting communism? He talks about political barriers between the “middle” class and the 1% and how they’ve become disenfranchised and resort to political cannibalism out of propagated fear that rich people push to create divides. If the middle class realize they have more in common with poor people than rich, they’ll do something about the rich.
The epitome of when you go so far right, you go left.
February 27, 2008
This book is a review of Tragedy and Hope by Dr. Carroll Quigley (a man). Dr. Quigley claims to be a member of this vast organization of intelligentsia (see Shadows of Power) that are 'born to rule'. They have a plan to make the world a better place. It involves the unification of world governments, the massive re-distribution of wealth, and the elimination of most of the free will in the world. It re-enforces in my mind that the men who commit the most wicked acts all have an ideology that justifies their behavior - even if they are unaware of their folly. Just as in the council in Heaven, any plot of overthrow the agency of man is a plot hatched by Lucifer and is not sanctioned by God. The real key to world peace and happiness is willful obedience to the commandments of God.
April 21, 2008
This is a great expose of the major banking family dynasties and a solid historical take on the rise of corrupted, money-power-grubbing central banks like the Federal Reserve. There's some scary shit in here, even though Skousen's obsession with the communist conspiracy borders on paranoia. Written in 1970, Skousen's review of Quigley's Tragedy and Hope rings true today...rise of the master-planning Global Establishment, shrinking middle class, propaganda, deception, one-world government etc... just one more reason not to pay taxes
September 12, 2011
This book was an important review of the 1966 1,348-page book by Dr. Carroll Quigley - TRAGEDY AND HOPE- A HISTOR OF THE WORLD IN OUR TIME. In Quigley's book the secretive "Round Table" combinations are revealed including the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in America. Dr. Skousen tied that to the International Communist conspiracy for world domination as well.
May 9, 2012
Iteresting commentary, with some tid bits on the nefarious deeds of the financial elite. Those were mostly just quoted from Quigley. Otherwise, it was cold war propaganda and hack political science. An interesting piece if you are interested in this specific trend of 60s/70s US ideology, especially in the relation to the so called "communist conspiracy."
February 25, 2008
In my opinion, this is one the best books I've read detailing modern US History as it is a review of Dr. Carroll Quigley's book "Tragedy and Hope." Tragedy and Hope is an insider's look at conspiratorial history and the march toward New World Order, or globalization of government and economy.
July 8, 2012
Good summary of Tragedy and Hope. Has some spin, but still believe he was on the mark when you see how recent history has progressed... it will scare the daylights out of you. Current and relevant today in 2012!
January 8, 2019
Well, The Naked Communist is a must read and the best out of the Naked series. I think Naked Capitalist is the one he hadn't finished before he died. Still, a good read. These are the kind of books that should be textbooks in our schools.
Read
October 9, 2021Quite the interesting read but its been 50 years since this book's original publication, how will the conspiracy of international communists carry out their plan now that the Soviet Union is gone?
Maybe they're betting on China carrying on the torch of international communism.
Maybe they're betting on China carrying on the torch of international communism.
November 13, 2013
Can be a difficult topic. Very intelligently written. Provokes a lot of thought.
July 1, 2018
Great Exposé of globalists.
May 27, 2020
This is second-hand assurance that all the grand-conspiracy believers are right. I found it too threatening and depressing. I intend never to return here without justification. I just cannot bear to finish this a second time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2025
This took a very long time to get through - mostly because it made me sad. We (Americans) are being played by a handful of elites. It's not Right vs. Left, as they would have us believe - it's money and power vs. the rest of us. (Also, this was written before I was born - and it still rings true.)
December 29, 2025
This book is an eye-opener, filled with information that pulls back the curtain on the individuals and groups operating behind the scenes to influence global politics, economics, and public thought. By naming names and detailing the actions of these individuals and groups, the book becomes both compelling and unsettling. One of the most striking aspects of this work is how it reframes familiar historical figures and events. As you read, you may find yourself reconsidering what you were taught versus what may have been quietly unfolding in the background. The extensive historical references create moments of recognition that challenge surface-level narratives and encourage deeper questioning. If you have already read Tragedy & Hope, this book becomes even clearer and more impactful, as it serves as a more direct and accessible breakdown of similar themes. Overall, this is a thought-provoking read that invites skepticism, critical thinking, and a willingness to look beyond the official story. It is highly informative and rewarding for those interested in understanding power structures beyond what is commonly presented.
May 7, 2023
I good historical review and perspective on how we got into our current state of affairs. I quick review of "Tragedy and Hope" Carroll Quigley. The Middle Class is in trouble.
May 26, 2024
This explains and describes the evil from the 1930's that is manifest today.
January 5, 2026
la prima parte traccia un quadro delle grandi famiglie di banchieri (banking families) che detengono il potere in Occidente, le loro organizzazioni e i loro scopi; mentre la seconda parte chiarisce la strategia del potere mondialista nel creare legami col mondo comunista e soprattutto con Urss e Cina.
February 9, 2008
"I think the communist conspiracy is merely a branch of a much bigger conspiracy!" Dr. Bella Dodd, former member of the National Committe of the U.S. Communist Party to Cleon Skousen
March 3, 2008
What is going on in the world? Take a look at this book.
January 15, 2009
Good review of Tragedy and Hope. Time for people to wake up and smell the coffee.
November 18, 2010
3 1/2 stars
November 11, 2013
Thumbs up
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews