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Secret Empires: How the American Political Class Hides Corruption and Enriches Family and Friends Hardcover – March 20, 2018

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,297 ratings

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Peter Schweizer has been fighting corruption—and winning—for years. In Throw Them All Out, he exposed insider trading by members of Congress, leading to the passage of the STOCK Act. In Extortion, he uncovered how politicians use mafia-like tactics to enrich themselves. And in Clinton Cash, he revealed the Clintons’ massive money machine and sparked an FBI investigation.

Now he explains how a new corruption has taken hold, involving larger sums of money than ever before. Stuffing tens of thousands of dollars into a freezer has morphed into multibillion-dollar equity deals done in the dark corners of the world.

An American bank opening in China would be prohibited by US law from hiring a slew of family members of top Chinese politicians. However, a Chinese bank opening in America can hire anyone it wants. It can even invite the friends and families of American politicians to invest in can’t-lose deals.

President Donald Trump’s children have made front pages across the world for their dicey transactions. However, the media has barely looked into questionable deals made by those close to Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John Kerry, Mitch McConnell, and lesser-known politicians who have been in the game longer.

In many parts of the world, the children of powerful political figures go into business and profit handsomely, not necessarily because they are good at it, but because people want to curry favor with their influential parents. This is a relatively new phenomenon in the United States. But for relatives of some prominent political families, we may already be talking about hundreds of millions of dollars.

Deeply researched and packed with shocking revelations, Secret Empires identifies public servants who cannot be trusted and provides a path toward a more accountable government.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Fascinating.” — Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Peter Schweizer is the president of the Government Accountability Institute and the former William J. Casey Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is a number one New York Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into eleven languages.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0062569368
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper; Illustrated edition (March 20, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780062569363
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062569363
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.11 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,297 ratings

About the author

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Peter Schweizer
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Investigative journalist and author Peter Schweizer's most recent book, the #1 New York Times bestselling "BLOOD MONEY: How the Powerful Turn a Blind Eye to China Killing Americans," will shock Americans with the extent of China's hidden war on America. His books have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list eight times, including for "Red Handed: How American Elites Get Rich Helping China Win," as well as "Profiles in Corruption," "Secret Empires," and "Clinton Cash," all bestsellers.

Peter founded the Government Accountability Institute (GAI) in 2012, Previously, he was a consultant to the Office of Presidential Speechwriting in the White House for President George W. Bush. He has also served as a member of the Ultraterrorism Study Group at the U.S. government’s Sandia National Laboratory and is a former consultant to NBC News. His books have been translated into eleven languages and he is a frequent guest commentator on television networks, radio talk shows, and podcasts. He is also the host of GAI’s own weekly podcast, The Drill Down, which relentlessly exposes cronyism and corruption in Washington.

Peter is also the author of the book Extortion: How Politicians Extract Your Money, Buy Votes, and Line Their Own Pockets. Both Extortion and the preceding book, Throw Them All Out, were featured in segments on CBS’s 60 Minutes program.

His other nonfiction books include Reagan’s War (Doubleday, 2002), which the Washington Post praised as “a fascinating, well-written, useful and important look at one of the three or four most important American political leaders of the 20th century. No serious assessment of the 40th president of the United States can ignore the central importance of anti-communism in his career; after Schweizer none will.” The Los Angeles Times called it “A rousing and compelling case that Reagan’s personal and political odyssey…was central to bringing down the ‘evil empire.” He is also the co-author of The Bushes: Portrait of a Dynasty (Doubleday, 2004), which the New York Times called “Fascinating…Provides illuminating insights into the internal dynamics of the Bush family dynasty.” The New York Post declared “If you want to know as fully as can be told the story of how the Bushes rose from Midwestern obscurity to equal the records of families like the Roosevelts, the Kennedys, and the Adamses — this is the book.”

Other nonfiction works include Architects of Ruin (Harper, 2009) Victory (Atlantic Monthly Press, 1994) , Do As I Say (Not As I Do) (Doubleday, 2005), and Makers and Takers (Doubleday, 2008).

His academic books include Landmark Speeches of the American Conservative Movement (Texas A&M University Press, 2006) The Reagan Presidency: Assessing the Man and His Legacy (Rowman and Littlefield, 2005), and The Fall Of The Wall: Reassessing the Causes and Consequences of the End of the Cold War (Hoover Institution Press, 2000). He was also a contributor to Living in the Eighties (Oxford University Press, 2008)

His articles have appeared in Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Review, and elsewhere. He has appeared on numerous radio and television programs.

Peter received his M.Phil. from Oxford University and his B.A. from George Washington University. He lives in Florida with his wife, Rhonda, and his children.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4,297 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book excellent, interesting, and well-written. They appreciate the incredible research and fact-filled content. Readers describe the writing as easy to understand and well-researched. However, some find the pacing shocking, demoralizing, and disturbing. Opinions are mixed on the corruption, with some finding it eye-opening while others say it's sickening.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

161 customers mention "Readability"161 positive0 negative

Customers find the book excellent, interesting, and well-written. They say it's a quick read and worth the effort. Readers also mention the book is fast and fact-filled.

"Another great book from Peter Schweizer. Take your time when reading this book. Let it get into your head and settle in...." Read more

"...I found this book a well researched and fast read which happened on my recent flights to New York City to attended stockholder meetings...." Read more

"...The book is documents (with footnotes) very well...." Read more

"...SECRET EMPIRES is a well-written read." Read more

137 customers mention "Information quality"137 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-documented, interesting, and informative. They say it's an eye-opener on the deals made by Democrats and Republicans. Readers also mention the book is backed up with published research.

"...The section of Jared Kushner was interesting, although it seems that at this time the only thing that he can be charged with is not being the..." Read more

"...The book reads like a crime novel but is well documented. Sadly, this is not fiction but real world corruption in the highest levels of government...." Read more

"...I found this book a well researched and fast read which happened on my recent flights to New York City to attended stockholder meetings...." Read more

"This book is an eye opening look at the "swamp" called Washington politicians!..." Read more

38 customers mention "Writing quality"28 positive10 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written, easy to read, and understand. They also appreciate the 71 pages of notes. Readers mention the author is a great writer and the presentation and documentation are unassailable.

"...The writing is supported with 71 pages of notes. As usual, good job Mr. Schweizer." Read more

"...The book is documents (with footnotes) very well...." Read more

"...This book isn't a n easy read, but as citizens, we need to be aware of what's going on...." Read more

"...Peter Schweizer is a great writer, incredible research and he has the guts to say it like it is. What is it?..." Read more

17 customers mention "Eye opening"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book eye-opening, well-researched, and well-presented. They say it's shocking, outrageous, and enlightening. Readers also mention the book is succinct and a good expose.

"...Clinton Cash I enjoy his easy to read style and this book does not disappoint...." Read more

"Astounding, disappointing, disgusting, alarming...." Read more

"...This book, like "Clinton Cash", has been well researched and is well presented...." Read more

"It's riveting, and has tons of dates times and places and very succinct!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Political content"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book apolitical, showing both sides of the political spectrum. They appreciate that it provides good council on political ethics. Readers also mention the book is bipartisan, targeting both Democrats and Republicans.

"...research of the individuals mentioned and provides good council on political ethics recommendation in his conclusion...." Read more

"...This book is not biased by party; it incudes Democrats and Republicans who know how to use the system and public ignorance to build incredible..." Read more

"...In addition, this book is apolitical in that it treats the parties equally for the most part." Read more

"This political book was absolutely amazing! The amount of information was non stop page turner! How has this been allowed to go on for so long?..." Read more

31 customers mention "Corruption"14 positive17 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some find it eye-opening and say it exposes corruption by high-level politicians in Washington. However, others say the individuals at the top are sickening and shocking.

"...Pure corruption. And we haven't even mentioned the Ukraine yet...." Read more

"Peter does a great job investigating these corrupt politicians . He’s an excellent source of information on political corruption thanks" Read more

"...The content is so devastating revealing the greed, the unbelievable abuse of our trust in our elected officials & hard earned tax dollars...." Read more

"...The author is fair and covers corruption on both sides of the aisle...." Read more

38 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive28 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book shocking, demoralizing, and disturbing. They say the content is infuriating and mind-boggling.

"...The whole system really is sickening...." Read more

"Astounding, disappointing, disgusting, alarming...." Read more

"An interesting and sad book. Sad in that what we all believe to be true about politicians and their families is true...." Read more

"...The book is intensely disturbing. If you read it, you will develop a skepticism about political figures, including those you support...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2024
Another great book from Peter Schweizer. Take your time when reading this book. Let it get into your head and settle in. Then let the realization of it all make sense. Once it makes sense you can see "them" better. Enjoy.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2018
Most certainly would Peter Schweizer’s recently released “Secret Empires” keep a Special prosecutor occupied for years to come, the book also serves as a textbook for encouraging term limits. Some of the material presented was known by this reader, yet a majority came as a surprise.

It is no secret that Mitch McConnell has soft positions when it comes to China, but it was surprising how close his wife’s shipping family is with the Chinese Communist Party. When Elaine Chao was Secretary of Labor, this reader on two occasions sat across the aisle from her on United Airline’s non-stop flight from Beijing to Chicago. It was on the second occasion that I was left wondering why does the Secretary of Labor travel to China so frequently? Now we know.

As one reads through the various chapters, you simply wonder how these people get away with this stuff. If President Trump did half of the deals in office that evidently Penny Pritzker did as Secretary of Commerce under Obama, he would be promptly tarred and feathered by the most trusted name in news. The section of Jared Kushner was interesting, although it seems that at this time the only thing that he can be charged with is not being the smartest businessman.

While Joe Biden hints at running for president in 2020, with this book now on the streets, there is no way that he can. The multiple deals for his son Hunter in China and the Ukraine, while his father was actively involved in both countries hints for a Special Prosecutor. And that goes as well for the step-son of John Kerry, Chris Heinz, who was involved with Hunter Biden in several of these get rich awfully fast schemes. And perhaps more frightening is the expansion of China into the South China Sea, an action that could have been, should have been, stopped by Joe Biden & John Kerry but was not, and this reader wonders why.

And then there is the massive snatch & grab schemes by the friends of Obama’s anti-industry regulations. It is deep and you simply need to read the book to grasp what happened while the nation slept. The writing is supported with 71 pages of notes. As usual, good job Mr. Schweizer.
49 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2020
This book is extremely relevant today in the middle of October 2020. This book is not a Biden hit piece but rather a serious documentary on Washington and international corruption generally. From China, Ukraine and other corrupt countries to Biden, Bush, McConnell, Trump and others, the author pulls no punches here.

But as far as the relevance of events unfolding today, the Joe and Hunter Biden revelations are earth shattering to say the least. While Obama and Joe Biden were making international deals concerning critical national security interests Joe Biden's son along with John Kerry's son and others were making corrupt deals that benefited their families. Why was China allowed to weaponize the disputed islands in the South China Sea? Why was China allowed to procure a corner on the market of valuable minerals and metals vital for their nuclear program? Why was Hunter Biden involved in China obtaining nuclear secrets? Where did one billion dollars of taxpayer's money go?

One hand was making international deals that compromised the security of the United States and the other hand was profiting on the deals through secret back room business deals and money laundering operations. Pure corruption. And we haven't even mentioned the Ukraine yet.

The book reads like a crime novel but is well documented. Sadly, this is not fiction but real world corruption in the highest levels of government. Say what you want about Donald Trump but he is right about one thing: If Biden is elected then China will own the United States. I hope this is exposed before the election. Read the book and weep.
19 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2018
After reading the first half of this book it brought to mind one of my favorite Eddie Murphy films. Sadly, as I read further this material pales the movie's outrageous acts and dark humor at the expense of the American tax payer. As a fan of the author's other works, esp. Clinton Cash I enjoy his easy to read style and this book does not disappoint.

I found this book a well researched and fast read which happened on my recent flights to New York City to attended stockholder meetings. Although the center of the book was slow due to my lack of interest in the subjects, however, I was fascinated by the beginning and the end of the text, especially regarding Soros and Kushner.

I have personally been through the disclosure process and have felt the violation of my privacy over a no-relevant inquiry. Political figures should have continuous disclosure due to the apparent conflicts. I have some issue with the author's points made in Chapter 10 where he criticizers Obama cronies that took advantage of the harsh restrictions placed on the energy sector which drove down the stocks of many of these companies to lower prices in which they then bought them at bargain prices, “Smash and Grab.” I have to inform Mr. Schweizer anyone buying the market did the same during this period!

The author has done extensive research of the individuals mentioned and provides good council on political ethics recommendation in his conclusion. I can firmly agree we need a Domestic Corrupt Practice Act similar to the foreign act. If you are interested in how corruption by proxy amongst the US political elite occurs and how they sell you out each day-read this book.
9 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2024
This is what is wrong with our government. Too easy for relatives to get rich, rules for the elected but not for their families so they get rich because to what their families can do that's legal (but not right).
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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john
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2024
Excellent book, excellent delivery
Syed Hamid
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written. Exposing the corrupt in Washington
Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2020
Kudos to the author for exposing the corruption in Washington. I can only imagine the amount of research that went into gathering and verifying all the information to expose the corrupt. The writing style is clear and easy to understand. Well laid out.
5 people found this helpful
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Paul Dow
5.0 out of 5 stars Troubling
Reviewed in Australia on January 3, 2022
Some truely troubling insights about key American political figures and their families. I am not even a US citizen and it makes my blood boil.
KindleユーザーA
3.0 out of 5 stars FCPAの盲点とそれを突いた政治家や外国政府のエピソードは面白かったが、少々、単調で物足りない。
Reviewed in Japan on February 26, 2019
おそらく、筆者は、共和党支持者なのだろうが、もう少しバランス感覚があったほうが良かった様に思う。
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A nonpartisan look at political corruption
Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2020
This is an excellent, nonpartisan look at greed and corruption in politics. Republican globalists are teaming up with Democrat globalists to form one party - the Communist Party of China.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A nonpartisan look at political corruption
Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2020
This is an excellent, nonpartisan look at greed and corruption in politics. Republican globalists are teaming up with Democrat globalists to form one party - the Communist Party of China.
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