'Killing Hope: U.S. Military and C.I.A. Interventions Since World War II' by William Blum is a detailed and heart-wrenching history of the USA's involvement in torture and murder in dozens of different countries in the last 60 years. The book meticulously documents American interventions throughout the world, including well-known events like Korea and Vietnam, as well as lesser-known interventions. Blum's writing style presents a harrowing picture of deceit, denial, and amoral manipulation to secure the industrial military political equilibrium, working chronologically through the last 60 years of political history.

Blum's 'Killing Hope' is described as a devastating attack on America's actual foreign policies, as opposed to the propaganda fed to the public. The book provides a damning view of US CIA policy since WWII, offering highly opinionated hot takes on US actions abroad, covering events from the '53 overthrow of Mossadegh to Dubya's invasion of Panama. The author's meticulous documentation, lack of indulgence in repetition, and use of mainstream sources like the NYT for citations make this book a detailed and shocking reference for understanding US foreign interventions post-WWII.

Writing/Prose:

The writing combines rigorous citations with critical analysis, presenting an objective view of U.S. foreign actions.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores extensive U.S. military and CIA interventions globally since the end of World War II, providing a chronological examination of these actions.

Setting:

The setting encompasses a global landscape, primarily focusing on U.S. actions from the 20th century to the early 21st century.

Pacing:

The pacing is chronological, ensuring a steady flow as it transitions between different historical events and interventions.

The two sides had been clashing across the Parallel for several years. What happened on that fateful day in June could thus be regarded as no more than the escalation of an ongoing civil war. The Nort...

Genres:

nonfiction

historical analysis

political commentary

Topics:

u.s. military interventions

cia covert operations

international relations

foreign policy criticism

historical events and case studies

government manipulation

imperialism

historical revisionism

Notes:

The book covers U.S. military and CIA interventions since World War II, detailing events in various countries from 1945 to the 1990s.

Blum references mainstream sources like the New York Times for his claims, ensuring credibility.

The United States has intervened in over 75 countries since World War II, sometimes leading to significant suffering and political turmoil.

Many readers are shocked by the extent of U.S. involvement in global affairs and the hidden history not commonly taught in schools.

Blum argues that the U.S. often acts against its stated ideals of freedom and democracy, focusing instead on national interests and power.

The author emphasizes that this book serves as a useful reference to understand U.S. actions related to current events.

The book presents that major wars fought by the U.S. since World War II, like in Vietnam and Iraq, ended without clear victories.

There is a critical perspective on how structural power dynamics and corporate interests shape foreign policies.

Jim Garrison's quote suggests a belief that the CIA and Pentagon significantly influence U.S. government actions, limiting true democratic debate.

Readers find the book disturbing due to its detailed accounts of torture and political manipulation by the U.S. government.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book features high content warnings for discussions of violence, torture, and murder resulting from U.S. interventions.

From The Publisher:

Is the United States a force for democracy? From China in the 1940s to Guatemala today, William Blum presents a comprehensive study of American covert and overt interference, by one means or another, in the internal affairs of other countries.

Each chapter of the book covers a year in which the author takes one particular country case and tells the story - and each case throws light on particular US tactics of intervention.

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About the Author:

William Blum's latest book is Freeing the World To Death: Essays on the American Empire. He lives in Washington, DC.

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Killing Hope: U.S. Military and C.I.A. Interventions Since World War II

William Blum