$11.11 with 7 percent savings

List Price: $11.95

FREE International Returns

No Import Charges & $7.68 Shipping to Canada Details

Delivery Wednesday, July 23

Only 3 left in stock - order soon.

$$11.11 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Payment

Secure transaction

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Add to List

Added to

Unable to add item to List. Please try again.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (8) from $10.89

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier Paperback – April 1, 2003

by Smedley D. Butler (Author), Adam Parfrey (Introduction)

733 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$11.11","priceAmount":11.11,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"11","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"0yvS5V46ZPv2y65C417eI3PnMh2Yo1n4c5R2Hv0%2BmcC70dGQGDp3dbVb2rNiSGJAOOsuGUXCkpiM72wsq5LQS1ygNdmlCkdwJDXM8iXT%2FjGJoUkJ2oKqeFb2WCQNYcRicBiNkSXI0sc%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

General Butler's screed crosses all ideological boundaries.

Originally printed in 1935, War Is a Racket is General Smedley Butler’s frank speech describing his role as a soldier as nothing more than serving as a puppet for big-business interests. The introduction discusses why General Butler went against the corporate war machine and how he exposed a fascist coup d’etat plot against President Franklin Roosevelt. Widely appreciated and referenced by left- and right-wingers alike, this is an extraordinary argument against war – more relevant now than ever.

This elegant new edition includes additional photos from the notorious 1932 anti-war book The Horror of It by Frederick A. Barber and two never-before-published anti-interventionist essays by General Butler.

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“There is little likelihood one will encounter a putdown and discounting of armed service, while questioning the reason for it, by a top experienced commander, anywhere within a light year of Marine General Smedley D. Butler’s WAR IS A RACKET. And there is utterly nothing comparable to the grim anthology of photographs devoted to the unspeakable hideousness of the bloody gore of modern – since Napoleonic times – warfare, THE HORROR OF IT. The American public recoiled from these two works when they were published, in close sequence, two generations ago… We can hope that this dual masterpiece at hand, in quite a different context, does a better job of reducing the level of ignorance.” — James J. Martin

“Butler is scathing in his description of how the U.S. government wasted the lives of those soldiers who died but also of those who survived… A stunning condemnation of U.S. militarism and it ends with a demand that rings true down to today – ‘To hell with war.’” — Ashley Smith, Socialist Worker

“America had seen its own attempt at a Fascist coup. Why, then, is this incident in U.S. history not better known? Why don’t children learn in school about the plot to seize the United States government?… The time has obviously come for Smedley Butler to have his moment in the sun. Butler’s attack on the military-industrial complex does more than expose war for the racket it is: It also gives the antiwar movement unmatched credibility.”— Ken Mondschein, corporatemofo.com

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Feral House
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2003
Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0922915865
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0922915866
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.21 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #47,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #9 in War & Peace (Books)
- #119 in Political Commentary & Opinion
- #159 in History & Theory of Politics
Customer Reviews:
733 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

Related books

Page 1 of 1Start Over

Customer reviews

733 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Review this product

Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this book to be a must-read for Americans, providing excellent historical context and revealing the truth behind war. The writing is well-crafted by a decorated Marine, and customers appreciate its brutal honesty. While customers describe the book as timeless and a modern classic, they note it is somewhat dated. The book's length receives mixed reactions, with some finding it a great short read while others wish it was longer.

Select to learn more

Readability Insight Writing style Honesty Message Shortness Relevance Influence of war

79 customers mention "Readability"79 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and powerful, with several noting it's a must-read for every American.

"A great book -- short, to the point. War is a racket that profits banks and corporations and not the people who fight or pay for the wars...." Read more

"...I am upon writting this rewiew, impressed by how much such simple and short text has inspired me to think and how effective so few words can be at..." Read more

"...I highly recommend more read this small but powerful book." Read more

"The copy I received was very old. It is a good book though." Read more

60 customers mention "Insight"57 positive3 negative

Customers find the book insightful, providing an interesting point of view that reveals the truth behind war and serves as an excellent stepping-stone for understanding historical context.

"A classical anti-war peace written by a true patriot who understood that corporatism and Big Business was abusing America's armed forces in the..." Read more

"Must-read. Helps to understand better what lies (w/double meaning) behind the postures of our leaders...." Read more

"This small but informative book gives every thinking person a reason to realize how we are used as pawns to enrich the military complex." Read more

"An excellent read, providing great insight into corruption and how passive people are even where their interests are threatened...." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, noting that it is well written by a highly decorated Marine, with one customer highlighting its direct and unvarnished approach to the subject matter.

"Written by a decorated war hero. Essential reading about the impetus to go to war by business and political interests. Essential." Read more

"...read, direct in nature, often with an aggitated voice and written as if a sermon or speech...." Read more

"...Smedley does not mince words or images. His humanity comes out with force--of conscious and duty...." Read more

"...The writing is tight and direct. Butler, having personally witnessing war doesn’t mince words in discussing and horror of it all...." Read more

10 customers mention "Honesty"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty, describing it as brutal, with one customer noting how humanity comes out with force through conscious and duty.

"...This book is a good example of how courageous personal action (whistle blowing) can overcome a broader trend towards pervasive and powerful..." Read more

"...Smedley does not mince words or images. His humanity comes out with force--of conscious and duty...." Read more

"...What a most courageous and honest admission...." Read more

"...Butler is a patriot and an honest man. And I may add a good writer. ." Read more

8 customers mention "Message"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's timeless message, describing it as a modern classic.

"...Because War Is A Racket and has no honor in it. It is a quick, poignant and straight to the point easy read even for people who are not into reading...." Read more

"War is a Racket is a decades old classic that I first read in the 1950's as a young man...." Read more

"It's really an essay turned into a book, but the message is so important, laying bare one half of the real cause of war...." Read more

"The writing style of the book is dated but the concepts are still valid. I agree with the author - war is a business...." Read more

20 customers mention "Shortness"13 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's length, with some finding it a great short read while others wish it was longer.

"Brutal honesty. Short, with the dollar figures to show his point. Nothing we all didn't know; just proof that we were right." Read more

"...The title essay is a polemic, and it is short, but it is rich in ideas, so many of which are carefully air-brushed out of the main stream media...." Read more

"A great book -- short, to the point. War is a racket that profits banks and corporations and not the people who fight or pay for the wars...." Read more

"very good, very short book." Read more

9 customers mention "Relevance"4 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's relevance, with some finding it slightly dated and out of touch with modern times, while one customer notes it is totally relevant in 2021.

"While the book is a little dated, the message is still the same. The same message that Ike gave when he warned of the military industrial complex...." Read more

"...This book gives insight to its past, present, and likely future." Read more

"A bit dated but the problems General Butler points out are still with us. A true American hero both in war and in his opposition to war...." Read more

"It's pretty amazing how a book written before WW2 still remains relevant, characteristically significant in content and incredibly easy to read...." Read more

7 customers mention "Influence of war"3 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed views on the book's perspective on war, with some appreciating its blunt analysis of war motivations, while others disagree.

"War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by Smedley ......" Read more

"...of writing, it begs the question of what motivates and drives American foreign policy...." Read more

"...This book is not anti-war, but anti-corruption and anti-interventionalist (anti-imperialism) and bemoans the abuse, destruction of so many good men/..." Read more

"...His blunt analysis of the motivations behind wars, who pays the cost and who reaps the benefit is certainly on target...." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

brandon
Legendary Marine, Interesting Title
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2025
Verified Purchase

As a Marine I am curious to see what this book is about from a Legendary Marine. We learned a lot about him at MCRD Parris Island, SC; but never heard about this book…. Should be an interesting read. Semper Fi 🇺🇸🫡

Read more

Helpful

Report
J. West
A Smoking Gun
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2007
Verified Purchase
General Smedley Butler is someone that Americans should pay attention to. He was a highly decorated Marine Corps general who understood the system he was apart of, and wasn't afraid to expose it in the end. He realized that both he and his men were being exploited by big-business interests who have more say in government policy than they're entitled to. The horrible truth of it all is that war is a business; and that there are many American bankers and industrialists who have no scruple about causing the deaths of other people as long as they can make money. The result is that in America there is a veritable syndicate of bankers and industrialists who have a vested interest in seeing the United States mired in one frivolous war after another.

There was another brave military man out there who also warned about this problem. I refer to the former President and retired WWII General Dwight Eisenhower. In one his last speeches as President he warned the American people about the so-called "Military Industrial Complex." He warned America about a politically powerful corporate culture which had a vested interest in seeing America go to war, as opposed to other possible solutions which might be in the better interest of the United States and the people.

I know there are many people out there who believe that there are no "conspiracies" in America. Yet this is exactly what the retired generals Butler and Eisenhower warned us about. If our own leaders in big business and government are willing to connive to start wars and get thousands of people killed, then what else are they capable of?

I believe that Smedley Butler and Dwight Eisenhower were, like all of our serving men and women, honorable citizens who stood up in an emergency situation and followed orders. They obeyed our leaders in good patriotic faith. This is the sacrifice that all of our men and women make from the beginning when they are sent off to war, and to be shot and blown to pieces. They accept in good faith that their leaders are telling the truth, and that their sacrifices are necessary for the survival of our society. But once the fighting and the horror has come and gone - the real questions begin. Obviously Smedley Butler and Dwight Eisenhower were two veterans among many who realized that they weren't being told the whole truth, and that the system itself is corrupt.

The final question is whether the American people have the moral fortitude and courage to heed these warnings? Or will they sit idly as criminals lead this country down the road to bankruptcy, with half the world looking for revenge?

I believe that Smedley Butler's book addresses some vitally important issues - issues that could one day get you, or some one else in your family killed. Ignore this book at your own peril.

Now I know that there are some who would point to WWII as a refutation of Butler's thesis. But this position is the result of a most shallow consideration of the issues. Yes, we had to go to war to stop Hitler and the Japaneses - and to Roosevelt's credit he spent less money on Germany and Japan than Bush has spent in Iraq (so far). But the question most people never ask is "What happened to the Versaille Treaty?" When Hitler came to power in 1933 Germany was subject to this treaty, and Germany's economy was under the control of a syndicate of American banks which financed Germany's war reparations payments. Furthermore, under the Versaille Treaty Germany had no army, navy or airforce. In 1933 Hitler was in a very weak position and he could have easily been toppled.

Hitler never lied about his objectives. He could have been easily toppled. But instead, the US and British governments agreed to stop enforcing the Versaille Treaty, and they allowed Hitler to re-arm Germany. Many American companies like Ford, General Motors and ITT helped to rebuild Germany's military. (Some of these companies have even been sued by Holocaust survivors.) JP Morgan helped re-organize Germany's diverse chemical industry into the notorious IG Farben conglomerate, which in turn was the chief financial backer of the Nazi regime. Some readers may also be aware of the role W's grand father, Prescott Bush, in the financing of Germany's steel industry, which provided the steel for all those new Panzer tanks, and for the battleships Bismark and the Graf Spee.

Yes, once we look into the real issues, it becomes more than obvious that the good General Butler was in fact right after all.

Yes, we needed to fight WWII, but then again we had the leaders in place here at home who made damn sure that there was an enemy there to fight with. Most disgusting is that some of the American institutions who profited from the rebuilding of Germany's military also profited from the US war against Germany.

It would have been very intersting to see Smedley Butler's reaction to all of this, but he died in 1940. Right up to his death Butler was opposed to any US involvement in the British war with Germany. He is open to criticism because of this; but he certainly cannot be blamed for smelling a rat.

Read more

30 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Mr. Mole
Short yet powerful book cautioning about tremendous profit/incentive to engage in war activities
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2025
Verified Purchase
Must read! No matter who you are
There are multiple versions. This one has addl material

Read more

Helpful

Report
East West
Take the Profit Out of War (Old Ideas for Any War)
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2010
Verified Purchase
The book is short in duration, easy to read, direct in nature, often with an aggitated voice and written as if a sermon or speech. It is an easy read, but may reguire some additional but basic review of the historical context. Regardless the era, the subject matter is relevant (Corporate crime). Other subjects may be more evident in our day than when first written, such as the manipulation of government officials by corporations for profits as with the U.S. coalition and NATO armed forces current day practice of hiring private soldiers and service contractors as an integral part of their main fighting forces. This book is not anti-war, but anti-corruption and anti-interventionalist (anti-imperialism) and bemoans the abuse, destruction of so many good men/women (soldiers) both physically and mentally and the burden on society as a whole for the grossly disproportionate financial profits of a very few (olygarcy) whom by their very same actions should be considered quite unpatriotic.

The book details the oppinion of a career military officer, a politically appointed general. The soldier is a Marine which ads credibility from a leadership tradition know for its 'fighting spirit'. Although oppinion, the basis of his oppinions are based in factual information and with anticipated counter aurguements addressed in advanced. True dialog is missing. The weakness of some aurguments, such as limited resources may have contributed to corporate financial gains are eliminated by comparing profits on historical trends prior to the conflicts. Other critisisms such as corporations selling products never used in the war might easily be rationalized by asserting anticipated needs, but considering the authors rank, status, 'need to know' position which would involve him in planning such anticipated needs gives sway to the generals conclusions. The author often argues using emoutional language and metaphor. The naming of corporate sponsor of war as murderers is avoided but could be a concievable conclusion. Although critical of the illegal gains and abuses in which the author was paticipatory, this work is in no way an apology, nor a repentance for a full military career served.

Credibility of the author is based in the duration of his career and notariaty. The marine Brigadier General is the US militaries most honor soldier, having recieved 2 Medals of Honor and 1 Brevet Medal (No longer issued, akin to the Medal of Honor). Some criticism may be generated by the idea that his dissident cries were for politcal gain, having run for political office and political activism. The answer to this claim is for the reader to determine, but seems apart from the ideas presented by the author. Regardless, the author proposes several solid ideas to remove the economic incentives out of war and create policies which deny officials the coercive practices and threatening posturing of military forces against other foriegn governments for other than national defense (which said practices are used for economic coercion). The author insists bulling, coercion and imposition of other soveriegn nations (Imperialism) for corporate interests is immoral, conter-productive to national progress and contradictory to American values, especially when the uncoerced outcomes would result in the same benefits without the high costs of war (men, material, prestige). These high costs are the profits which feed the corporate war profiteering (aka racketeering).

This book is useful for younger audiences. There is nothing too shocking nor distasteful in the language or presentation of the text and the subject matter is argued fairly if not unemoutionally. This book is a good example of how courageous personal action (whistle blowing) can overcome a broader trend towards pervasive and powerful corruption and may inspire what is popularly called "civil disobedience" for righteous causes. This book may be used to compare examples of civil rights abuses faced during 'McCarthism', the Civil Rights movement and the 'Patriot Act'. I recomend this book among others such as "Collateral Damage" by Chris Hodges to all those who are inspired by patriotic propaganda to join the armed uniformed services. The graphic images from "The Horror of It" seem tame by today's standards. They may be treated with muted respect considering the lack of accessable current day examples and improved battle field medicine.

At least this book should reveal that there is much hidden behind the politcal propaganda machines which at last motivates a nations people to give up its young to the physical, moral and phsycological horrors of war in additional to the suffering and sacrifice of those left at home to worry and bear the costs in even the shortest of military conflicts. The authors observations will give credence to the gutt reaction of many towards war: that their is much lacking in it's purpose, morality and worthiness with hopes that its text will motivate us as a people to raise the bar of restraint and accountability of our elected officals as it relates to war and war profiteering. For many it will confirm that "War is a Racket" (The author explains exactly what he means by this statment) and I percieve that a vast majority would agree with the author on his definition. For those who are locked in patriotic vigor for a military action based on a percieved 'just cause', this testimony may add insight to a larger view of the possible reasons for why a nation would consider lingering in an unwanted, economically depleating and physically exhausting war considered long overdue to end. Although frequently expressing his fervent compassion for the 'soldier in the trenches', some soldiers may find this book both revealing of the truth and/or offensive to their honor: both revealing the varied manipulation of their's and their families sacrifices while offending the personal integrity of others (most likely those in leadership positions).

The titles subtext of "Anti-war classic" is a bit misleading. The author was a career soldier who was politically appointed to general and excecuted his work so throughly well that he was decorated with high honors on multiple occasions and was an advocated for an impenetrable national defense. A better subtext for this work may be 'Taking the Profit Out of War' or 'Raising the Standard for Going to War' for the basic principles of the general was to reveal the manipulation of foreign governments by means of force, utilizing the full and combined powers of the United States armed forces and economic base in support of the gross avarice, greed and collusion of private corporate designs; both sides being aided and assisted by the economically and sensationalistically competative media propaganda machines.

After reading this short book, I am reminded that it is often flattery and not fact that decieves us from the truth for which oppinion is truth enough for faith to act. I am remined of those with whom I live, from my own generation, who would cover their lies without accounting and how many of these sorts have risen to political power. I am reminded that the power of an individuals vote STILL provides the ultimate means of power ... that we are provide the means to our own ends and that our progress still remains within our hands, the means by which to thwart abuses of power and coruption and for setting higher standards living and accountability. This book supports my belief that it is vital to have a strong national defense in such a dangerous world, but that power does not need to equate to coercion, manipulation or abuse of others. I was inspired by the idea of the practical application of taking the incentives out of what should be called murder for profit or at least racketeering. Unless one can remember a bullies punch to the stomach in exchange for lunch money, Americans are fortunate to be free from feelings such imposed injustices. I am impressed even more that justice, liberty, freedom and democracy cannot function without a free, independant and vibrant media and that without such journalism to report the relevant and current facts to the people 'en mass', democracy cannot endure, let alone thrive. I am reminded that corporations are not patriotic and that profits do not express the true progress of a people and nation.

I am impressed and amazed at how many of the most sinister of terms found in our vocabulary (racketeering, facism, coercion, murder) have lost our fear and concern.

I'll admit that my first reaction upon completion of this tome was less impressed that I am now at writting this review. I am upon writting this rewiew, impressed by how much such simple and short text has inspired me to think and how effective so few words can be at presenting such profound and compelling ideas for peace and prosperity. It reminds me that if someone needs to try so hard to convince you about somethin', that there must be somethin' wrong with it in the first place: the truth just seems to ring true.

Propoganda is for sugar coatin' what is unadvisable. Encouragement is the only thing needed to motivate a good person to a just cause ... to do something difficult. I would say this book encourages.

This book is recommendable to all if not quit a 'must read' and worthy of referencing current political, business and military discussions.

For Peace, For Democracy
From a Fellow Soldier

Read more

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Peyman ADL DOUSTI HAGH
In the Name of Iran
Reviewed in Canada on June 2, 2024
Verified Purchase

The work is divided into five chapters:

War is a racket
Who makes the profits?
Who pays the bills?
How to smash this racket!
To hell with war!

It contains this summary:

War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, the most profitable, and the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small 'inside' group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the very few's benefit at the very many's expense. Out of war, a few people make huge fortunes.
Butler confesses that during his decades of service in the United States.

Marine Corps:

I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912 (where have I heard that name before?). I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China, I helped see that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.

Recommendations

In the booklet's penultimate chapter, Butler recommended three steps to disrupt the war racket:

Making war unprofitable. Butler suggests that the means for war should be "conscripted" before those who would fight the war:
It can be smashed effectively only by taking the profit out of war. The only way to smash this racket is to conscript capital industry and labour before the nation's manhood can be conscripted. Let the officers and the directors and the high-powered executives of our armament factories and our steel companies and our munitions makers and our ship-builders and our airplane builders and the manufacturers of all other things that provide profit in wartime, as well as the bankers and the speculators, be conscripted — to get $30 a month, the same wage as the lads in the trenches get.
Acts of war are to be decided by those who fight it. He also suggests a limited referendum to determine if the war is to be fought. Eligible to vote would be those who risk death on the front lines.
Limitation of militaries to self-defence. For the United States, Butler recommends that the Navy be legally limited to operating within 200 miles of the coastline and the Army restricted to the territorial limits of the country, ensuring that war if fought, can never be one of aggression.

Read more

Peyman ADL DOUSTI HAGH

In the Name of Iran

Reviewed in Canada on June 2, 2024
The work is divided into five chapters:

War is a racket
Who makes the profits?
Who pays the bills?
How to smash this racket!
To hell with war!

It contains this summary:

War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, the most profitable, and the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small 'inside' group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the very few's benefit at the very many's expense. Out of war, a few people make huge fortunes.
Butler confesses that during his decades of service in the United States.

Marine Corps:

I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912 (where have I heard that name before?). I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China, I helped see that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.

Recommendations

In the booklet's penultimate chapter, Butler recommended three steps to disrupt the war racket:

Making war unprofitable. Butler suggests that the means for war should be "conscripted" before those who would fight the war:
It can be smashed effectively only by taking the profit out of war. The only way to smash this racket is to conscript capital industry and labour before the nation's manhood can be conscripted. Let the officers and the directors and the high-powered executives of our armament factories and our steel companies and our munitions makers and our ship-builders and our airplane builders and the manufacturers of all other things that provide profit in wartime, as well as the bankers and the speculators, be conscripted — to get $30 a month, the same wage as the lads in the trenches get.
Acts of war are to be decided by those who fight it. He also suggests a limited referendum to determine if the war is to be fought. Eligible to vote would be those who risk death on the front lines.
Limitation of militaries to self-defence. For the United States, Butler recommends that the Navy be legally limited to operating within 200 miles of the coastline and the Army restricted to the territorial limits of the country, ensuring that war if fought, can never be one of aggression.

Images in this review

Report
Gerardo Pérez
No llegó
Reviewed in Mexico on February 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
No lo se.. no llegó

Read more
Report
Translate review to English
JK
So . . . I say, "TO HELL WITH WAR!"
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2012
Verified Purchase
I'd read about Gen. Smedley and the fascist coup he was asked to be a part of before I bought this book, and was taken back that there are still people in the higher ranks that have honesty and belief in their fellow man such as Smedley did. Here is a man who was offered the chance to take over the country, all the money and power he could ever want, what does he do? He plays along so he can find out the names of the participants and exposes them for the world to see. Unfortunately the mainstream media never really covered the congressional hearings that took place, the only mention of it was smear campaigns on Smedley himself, and for good reason, as those papers doing the smearing happened to be affiliated with people who were in on the coup.

Why would a gang of Industrialists want to hire an anti-war 'activist' to help take over the Country you say?

Well, Smedley wasn't always anti-war. He started speaking out against the establishment when World War One veterans, 500,000 to be exact, were refused their war bonus'. Smedley had given many speeches at their protests in Washington D.C and was well known amongst the troops. Generals Patton, MacNider and MacArthur were brought in to disband the protests, sometimes causing deaths.

At the congressional hearings it is stated that the group wanted either MacArthur or MacNider to lead the coup, but were aware the half-a-million-strong disenchanted veterans knew MacArthur and MacNider were involved in working against the veterans in their protests and getting hold of their war bonus'. The group had their eyes on Brigadier General Smedley D. Butler to lead the veterans as he was seen as the only one who had the troops support. At first, Smedley went along with them, just enough to find out the names of the conspirators. Then proceeded to expose them. The book only covers a small portion of the event but there are resources online that go into the minutes of the hearings.

Other than coup d'états, this book is very touching. A plea to all citizens to become more informed and learn to differentiate between propaganda and reality, to not be so eager to beat the war drum. Smedley makes it clear that the only winners in war are the Industrialists, Bankers, and generally anyone who makes a lot of money from it without ever having to pick up a rifle. At the time of Smedley's writing he was touring the U.S, among other things visiting veterans Hospitals. It becomes obvious that seeing the World War One veterans, mentally scarred, limbless or blind 25 years on had a huge impact on him, as it would anyone else. "Living Dead" he calls them. He makes a desperate plea at the end of the book to all Mothers and Fathers to not be so eager to send their boys off to war.

Smedley warns about foreign entanglements and proceeds to explain why America should have a defensive military only as the country's strategic location makes it near impossible for invasion of a foreign force, and that if the country were to be invaded, the invader would be met by tens of millions of armed citizens as well as a well-trained army, navy and air force. No doubt Smedley and military minds like him are turning in their grave at the present day situation.

This is only a short book, roughly 66 pages, but it's well worth it. Men like Smedley aren't talked about in the history books as the system does not look down upon such men with favouritism. If anything this book and reading about General Smedley has taught me to keep on informing myself, friends and family.

Read more
Report
Castiel Silva
WAR IS A RACKET - Gen Smedley Butler.
Reviewed in Japan on June 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
Not much to say. This book is more relevant now than when it was originally penned. It is a very interesting read and highlights why certain countries go to war. A suitable book if you are going on a short flight across the country. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Read more
Report
Tenicar
Interessante Antikriegsüberlegungen eines Generals
Reviewed in Germany on October 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
US General Butler erklärt fundiert, dass Kriege lediglich aus Profitgier geführt werden. Anders als heutige, deutsche Vordenker, die weltweit Kriege führen wollen, schlägt er eine strikte Beschränkung, in Ausrüstung und Strategie, auf Landesverteidigung vor.

Read more
Report
Translate review to English

See more reviews

Price		$11.11
AmazonGlobal Shipping		$7.68
Estimated Import Charges		$0.00

Total		$18.79

Shipping & Fee Details

Sorry, there was a problem.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Image Unavailable

War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier Paperback – April 1, 2003

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

More items to explore

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

Product details

Videos

Related books

Customer reviews

Review this product

Customers say

Select to learn more

Images in this review

Reviews with images

Review

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

5.0 out of 5 stars Legendary Marine, Interesting Title

5.0 out of 5 stars A Smoking Gun

5.0 out of 5 stars Short yet powerful book cautioning about tremendous profit/incentive to engage in war activities

4.0 out of 5 stars Take the Profit Out of War (Old Ideas for Any War)

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars In the Name of Iran

In the Name of Iran

Images in this review

1.0 out of 5 stars No llegó

5.0 out of 5 stars So . . . I say, "TO HELL WITH WAR!"

4.0 out of 5 stars WAR IS A RACKET - Gen Smedley Butler.

5.0 out of 5 stars Interessante Antikriegsüberlegungen eines Generals

Legendary Marine, Interesting Title

A Smoking Gun

Short yet powerful book cautioning about tremendous profit/incentive to engage in war activities

Take the Profit Out of War (Old Ideas for Any War)

In the Name of Iran

No llegó

So . . . I say, "TO HELL WITH WAR!"

WAR IS A RACKET - Gen Smedley Butler.

Interessante Antikriegsüberlegungen eines Generals