War Is a Racket

By: Major General Smedley D. Butler USMC Retired

Narrated by: Jack Eddelman

A report on how the greed of a privileged few, subsidized by public funding, creates substantial profits for themselves from mass human suffering.This was a speech given by General Butler during a nationwide tour in the early 1930's, but it applies even more today! Listen as he frankly discusses, from his experience as a career military officer, how business interests commercially benefit from warfare. He then suggests several practical solutions for reducing the pillage.

©2010 CoolBeat Audiobooks (P)2010 CoolBeat Audiobooks

straight shooting

As a millennial generation Marine, I find, understand and agree 100% with general Butler here. But have we gotten ourselves so far into the racket that it is now too late to get out?

Get Everyone You Know To Read This Book

During boot camp in 1997, we were taught about Marine Corps history and the three greatest heroes the Marine Corps had ever had. Foremost among these, the most decorated member of any military branch in American history, was General Smedley Butler. We were taught to emulate his courage and his dedication. We were not told, and I did not find out until 2002 after I finished my active duty contract, that he had written this book. Get everyone you know to read this book, and especially anyone and everyone who comes of age to join the military and considers doing so must read this book.

Take profit out of war

Any serious attempt to end wars should start with taking profit out of war, and making civilians pay for it as dearly as soldiers do.
Great book. written and read like a soldier. Straight to the point. Funny at times.
I wonder how it was received by the American public.

If the wealth of the very few was not so vast they

insightful but lame only because it was never properly known to the wider public. ALL wealthy must be put down for the betterment of humanity

Should be required reading for every student.

Honestly, this should be required reading once a year for students from K to 12.