Customer Reviews

The Iron Triangle: Inside the Secret World of the Carlyle Group

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Taylor Caldwell described this kind of thing fictionally in her novel, Captains and the Kings, but her story deals with Gilded Era robber barons whose machinations, though plenty effective in their time, seem juvenile when compared to what is going on at Carlyle today.

Those of us who cling to a belief in America as our faith suffer most, I believe, from the documentation of this level of corruption in our midst. Those who are not politically active, or who will not see the evidence before their eyes, might simply state that Washington is corrupt, always has been, and there's nothing we can do about it. Well, all of these presumptions are untrue: when this level of corruption arose within the Grant, Garfield, and Nixon administrations, action was taken to correct the problem. Of course, the first two events occurred prior to the 17th Amendment, the beginning of our demise. When Theodore Roosevelt came along he socked it to these kinds of guys, but good, and bought us 50 or 60 years of relatively effective government.

Dan Briody has written a well-researched, well-documented account of incalculable greed and corruption run amok. In an earlier time, the publication of a book like this would have set off a maelstrom of investigations and indictments. Why is it that our current administration and the Carlyle Group feel immune from censure or prosecution? Repeat after me:

Repeal the 16th Amendment
Repeal the 17th Amendment
Reinstate the Fairness Doctrine
Enforce Sherman Anti-trust

The intersection of politics and business is quite apparent with the current Bush administration, but this book takes us deep into the dangers inherent in such a close alignment of the public and private sectors. The scariest part of this book is not that fact that the type of political favors and influence peddling described occur, but that there is little oversight in the government or media to prevent or expose it.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about the influence of business on government policy, especially with the current global political climate.

If a Ludlum novel had a CIA hitman, the father of the president and the world's biggest terrorist's brother sitting down together at a company meeting while the Trade Center was being bombed; and then went on to disclose that the company had invested in companies that specialize in anthrax clean-up, airport security devices, and defense equiptment - it would be considered far fetched. This brave book says it is real. It is Bush, Baker, Carlucci, Levitt and bin-Laden in the scariest book in print.

Remarkable and readable! Most US citizens assume the integrity of key government leaders. But Dan Briody dispells that naivete exposing a surely shameful, probably unethical and perhaps illegal chain of "deals", both intriguing and discomforting -- and all involving the secretive Carlyle Group. The lessons learned through his conscientious examination of the facts will have a significant effect on how this reader views the 2004 elections.

It's about time someone took a hard look at this revolving door company. The book lays out in detail why a company like this subverts democracy, and how the rich get richer. Some of this stuff you won't believe, like how brazen these guys can be...

Do not buy into any negative spoilers attempting to downplay or destroy "The Iron Triangle." I used this book as background research for my college thesis and its contents made me feel ashamed to be American. If it was not for Dan Briody's reporting instinct and tenacity, every American would remain ignorant as to the inner sanctum of Carlyle and how it works its connections in D.C. and around the world. Could you imagine our so called "bastions of freedom"; CBS News, FOX News and ABC/Disney running a feature length investigative piece on Carlyle's history and its people? Unlikely, or even unthinkable. --So much for a nation of "freedom." In writing "The Iron Triangle," Dan Briody has done the nation a public service, and if you want to educate yourself about Carlyle, but can't spare the time to read an entire book, then I'll point out parts you should not miss: "Carlucci's Connections" Chapter 4, "An Arabian White Knight" Chapter 6, "Family Business" Chapter 11 and "9/11/01" Chapter 13. The letters reprinted in full in the appendix are actual Carlyle letters to the DOD and they should also not be missed. Democracy, what Democracy?

Unbelievably timely, this book is an essential read in order to put the events of the last 19 months (as well as the next 19 months!) in perspective. The book is thoroughly researched and draws clear linkages that extends the current debate about corporate responsibility all the way to the White House.

This book is a sad commentary on how so-called "leaders" in this country exploit their political positions in order to enhance their portfolios. And they seem to be comfortable going to whatever lengths it takes to achieve more wealth and power, often at our own (and other countries) expense. With recent allegations that the Iraq "weapons of mass destruction" hype was just a big hoax, the Carlyle Group must be laughing all the way to the bank. Fortunately, there are reporters like Mr. Briody who unveil these atrocities that the Bushes have difficulty keeping secret (although they certainly try, don't they?).

This book makes a powerful case that laws must be changed to break the iron triangle. Concentration of power is unAmercian.

I picked up a copy of The Iron Triangle in my local bookstore, and having read the backcover, I knew I just had to purchase a copy.

Briody's book is first class investigative journalism which provides an in-depth profile of one of America's most secretive and politically influential companies; The Carlyle Group. Although the author makes it clear that his book was not welcomed by Carlyle, he has done a formidable job in showing just how far and wide the tentacles of this octopus have spread over the last decade. Written almost like a thriller, The Iron Triangle lets you see the inner workings of this "political powerhouse" and how they use their unique "political access" to the White House and Pentagon while investing thier private assets of over $13 billion in areas as diverse as Health Care, Homeland Security and Defense. At the very least, this book makes you question the notion =and acceptablity= of 'political access' to today's policy makers by yesterday's politicians furthering their own financial gains.

From the backcover:

"The company does business at the confluence of the war on terrorism and corporate responsibility. It is a world that few of us can imagine, full of clandestine meetings, quid pro quo deals, bitter ironies, and petty jealousies. And the cast of characters includes some of the most famous and powerful men in the world. This is today's America. This is the Carlyle Group."