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The Shock Doctrine (Abridged): The Rise of Disaster Capitalism Audiobook
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Publisher Description
The bestselling author of No Logo shows how the global "free market" has exploited crises and shock for three decades, from Chile to Iraq In her groundbreaking reporting, Naomi Klein introduced the term "disaster capitalism." Whether covering Baghdad after the U.S. occupation, Sri Lanka in the wake of the tsunami, or New Orleans post-Katrina, she witnessed something remarkably similar. People still reeling from catastrophe were being hit again, this time with economic "shock treatment," losing their land and homes to rapid-fire corporate makeovers. The Shock Doctrine retells the story of the most dominant ideology of our time, Milton Friedman's free market economic revolution. In contrast to the popular myth of this movement's peaceful global victory, Klein shows how it has exploited moments of shock and extreme violence in order to implement its economic policies in so many parts of the world from Latin America and Eastern Europe to South Africa, Russia, and Iraq. At the core of disaster capitalism is the use of cataclysmic events to advance radical privatization combined with the privatization of the disaster response itself. Klein argues that by capitalizing on crises, created by nature or war, the disaster capitalism complex now exists as a booming new economy, and is the violent culmination of a radical economic project that has been incubating for fifty years.
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"Groundbreaking work describing the partnership of Economics and Politics at its worst. Free market ideology was forced on countries that had just undergone major "shocks", and the outcome was not positive, to say the least. Klein also shows how our failure to learn from the lessons of our past lead to the same "shock doctrine" and horrendous outcomes in the War in Iraq. Also, a condemnation of Jeffrey Sach's past... I had no idea that he was a free-market zombie before more recently changing for the better."
— Zach (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Impassioned, hugely informative, wonderfully controversial, and scary as hell.”
— John le Carré, #1 New York Times bestselling author -
"The Shock Doctrine is the defining, covert history of our era.”
— Jeremy Scahill, New York Times bestselling author -
“Provides a rich description of the political machinations required to force unsavory economic policies on resisting countries—and of the human toll. She paints a disturbing portrait of hubris, not only on the part of Friedman but also of those who adopted his doctrines, sometimes to pursue more corporatist objectives.”
— New York Times -
"For the vigor and accessibility with which she marshals her argument, Naomi Klein is well worth reading.”
— Washington Post -
“Bold and brilliantly conceived…Klein may well have revealed the master narrative of our time.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“In this urgent examination of free-market fundamentalism, Klein argues – with accompanying reportage – that the social breakdowns witnessed during decades of neoliberal economic policies are not accidental, but in fact integral to the functioning of the free market, which relies on disaster and human suffering to function.”
— The Guardian (London) -
“A book without peer, an epic and riveting work…Naomi Klein offers nothing short of a new paradigm for understanding politics…Her book is honest, urgent, and necessary to read.”
— Anthony Shadid, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist -
“A movement bible.
— The New York Times on No Logo -
Klein is a sharp cultural critic and flawless storyteller. Her analysis is thorough and thoroughly engaging.
— Newsweek.com on No Logo
Awards
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New York Times bestseller
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A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
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A Seattle Times Best Books of the Year
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A Village Voice Literary Supplement 25 Favorite Book of the Year selection
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A BookRiot Pick of Must-Listen Audiobooks for Your Commute
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A London Guardian Pick of Best Books of the 21st Century
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Winner of Warwick Prize for Writing Winner, 2009
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Winner of Publishers Weekly Listen Up Awards: Best in Category, 2007
The Shock Doctrine Listener Reviews
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" The author tries to pass off this obvious piece of fiction as academic scripture. Any political science, 20th century history, or economics course of the university grade would pass this off as a comical farce. Hard to read at times. The truth is out there... just don't look for it in this book... With that said, I do believe in free speech, and congratulate Klein on exercising that value to the fullest. An audience does exist for her somewhere, just not in me. "
— rope, 2/15/2014 -
" really clever explanation of last 30 years of geo-politics/economics "
— Mario, 2/11/2014 -
" Eye opening book. Sometimes too speculative/conspiracy theory oriented, but nevertheless important to read for an alternate interpretation of current events. "
— Shauna, 2/10/2014 -
" The arrogance of the big players in the international economy, with the accompanying blithe scorn for those who delude themselves in their concern for their fellows in the social contract. "
— Maurice, 12/30/2013 -
" sarebbe da adottare come libro di testo a scuola, uno di quei libri che ti aiuta a capire il mondo "
— eeegooo, 12/6/2013 -
" Best non-fiction book I've ever read. "
— Laurie, 12/2/2013 -
" Interesting angle on liberal economy. Well worth thinking through. Naomi did it again. And more fun to read than No Logo. "
— Mich, 11/30/2013 -
" This is the best nonfiction book I've ever read. "
— Heather, 10/25/2013 -
" a wonderful read however it the last few chapters were far gone from the proof given "
— earle, 9/29/2013 -
" Wow!!!! Amazing read. Kicks you in the gutt. "
— juliana, 7/31/2013 -
" This book had me hooked up to the point when it covers American torture in Iraq. I will pick it up when this angry thought is not so raw. "
— Phil, 6/30/2013 -
" how big brother makes you submissive and you don't even know it "
— Joselo, 6/7/2013 -
" This is probably in the top five most important books I have ever read. If you are an actively engaged American you should read this. "
— Amber, 4/5/2013 -
" An amazing piece of work...just brilliant. "
— Lisa, 9/9/2012 -
" Throughout history, people have used crises to push through agendas that are too different from the status quo to do so otherwise. Somehow, this is shocking and terrifying. "
— Mike, 7/30/2012 -
" An interesting and worthwhile read "
— Mike, 5/27/2012 -
" Simply the most essential current events book I've read in ages and a much needed reframing of the real world consequences of laissez faire. "
— Cynthia, 3/11/2012 -
" A sobering rethink of modern history, the role of corporations and outright greed that dictates the fate of millions of people around the globe. This analysis leaves you watching the news with a cautious eye and wondering what else is happening behind the headlines. "
— Hilary, 9/17/2011 -
" This is the best nonfiction book I've ever read. "
— Heather, 5/13/2011 -
" Fantastic read and powerful insights. Brilliant author! "
— Bartee, 5/10/2011 -
" enthralling and scary as hell. "
— Lance, 5/4/2011 -
" A little too conspiracy theory but fantastic history and thesis. Definitely worth reading for a different perspective on US "aid" to developing countries. "
— Marcia, 5/4/2011 -
" Good for what it is, but you'd do better to read marx, lenin, mao, etc. for a good theoretical framework to address politics "
— John, 4/27/2011 -
" Overall, She had some interesting facts, but I could not buy into alot of it. "
— Amy, 4/25/2011 -
" Wow!!!! Amazing read. Kicks you in the gutt. "
— juliana, 4/21/2011 -
" This book makes me afraid "
— Jimmie, 4/16/2011 -
" Excellent, thought-provoking, disturbing. Ending is encouraging. "
— Hugh, 4/10/2011 -
" Painful... But in a good way. Well researched. We evidently did not heed Eisenhower's warning on the business/military/industrial complex. Why do we come down on the side of the have<br/><br/>I have to read something lighter - just starting Hunger Games "
— Carolyn, 4/8/2011
About Naomi Klein
Naomi Klein is the award-winning author of international and New York Times bestsellers, including This Changes Everything, The Shock Doctrine, No Logo, No Is Not Enough, and On Fire, which have been published in more than thirty-five languages. She is an associate professor in the department of geography at the University of British Columbia (UBC), the founding codirector of UBC’s Centre for Climate Justice, and an honorary professor of Media and Climate at Rutgers University. Her writing has appeared in leading publications around the world, and she is a columnist for the London Guardian.
About Jennifer Wiltsie
Jennifer Wiltsie is an actress and Earphones Award–winning narrator. Her films include Wendigo, Uninvited, and The Fever. She has guest starred on HBO’s The Sopranos and Masterpiece Theatre’s Clarissa. On Broadway she has performed with Matthew Broderick in Night Must Fall, and her off-Broadway credits include Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. In London’s West-End, she starred in Alan Ayckbourn’s revival of Absurd Person Singular.