Terrible Humans

The World's Most Corrupt Super-Villains And The Fight to Bring Them Down

By: Patrick Alley

Narrated by: Richard Burnip

'Few people have shown more commitment to investigative journalism than Patrick Alley. His latest book is a vivid, compelling testament to the importance of revealing corruption and wrong-doing and shining a light into dark places, wherever in the world they are.' -Peter Geoghegan, author of Democracy for Sale

A small number of people, motivated by an insatiable greed for power and wealth, and backed by a pinstripe army of enablers (and sometimes real armies too), have driven the world to the brink of destruction. They are the super-villains of corruption and war, some with a power greater than nation state and the capacity to derail the world order. Propping up their opulent lifestyles is a mess of crime, violence and deception on a monumental scale. But there is a fightback: small but fearless groups of brilliant undercover sleuths closing in on them, one step at a time.

In Terrible Humans, Patrick Alley, co-founder of Global Witness and the author of Very Bad People, introduces us to some of the world's worst warlords, grifters and kleptocrats who can be found everywhere from presidential palaces to the board rooms of some of the world's best known companies. Pitted against them, the book also follows the people unravelling the deals, tracking the money and going undercover at great risk. From the oligarch charged with ordering the killing of an investigative journalist to the mercenary army seizing the natural resources of an entire African country, this is a whirlwind tour of the dark underbelly of the world's super powerful and wickedly wealthy, and the daring investigators dragging them into the light.

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PRAISE FOR Very Bad People:

'Reads like a John le Carré novel but is, in fact, very real.' -The Big Issue

'Part true crime tale, part investigative procedural, this is the account of the brilliant and necessary superheroes of Global Witness, whose superpower is the truth.' -Edward Zwick, Director of Blood Diamond

'Very Bad People reads like a non-stop high-speed chase' -David Farr, Screenwriter, The Night Manager

'Simply riveting. Don't miss it.' -Misha Glenny, author of McMafia

'A clear-eyed account of a world poisoned by dark money, and a welcome reminder that resistance is possible.' -Irish Times©2024 Patrick Alley

Critic reviews

Few people have shown more commitment to investigative journalism than Patrick Alley. His latest book is a vivid, compelling testament to the importance of revealing corruption and wrong-doing and shining a light into dark places, wherever in the world they are.

Incredible collection of true stories

I really appreciate the courage of all the heroes in this book. Their stories are a source of inspiration. It’s a testament to the human spirit. And also a wake up call for all of us.