Excellent writing. Unfortunately, fairly dated. Author did identify some trends correctly but failed to anticipate Obama in 2008. ( )

I couldn't finish this book. It may be a fine description of the U.S. fincanial policies, but it didn't lend itself to an audio book format. At least for me, I couldn't keep my focus on the subject, and my mind kept drifting. After going back and starting anew several times, I realized I could only absorb this book in written, not spoken, format. ( )

Reckless finance, failed politics, and the global crisis of american capitalism

Okay, we're all going to hell in a handbasket. Oil, bad mortgage loans, banking system that is not transparent. The Euro or the Yen will replace the dollar as the currency of choice. Our standard of living is actually falling. Education doesn't really help. Gloom and doom. Maybe it's all correct, but somehow or other I believe USA will muddle through for a little while longer. ( )

Kevin Phillips has published 13 books relating to the subject of doom of the American financial system and as of this review almost 100 reviewers on Amazon have recommended this book and admitted Phillips shows no solution to the decline of the US economy, largely because we have left agriculture and manufacturing for a plunge into finances as our largest economic section. The rest of the world hates and resents us and now has us under their feet. It could have been entitled, Goodbye American Dreams. What is interesting is that published before the Obama administration took office, predictions are correct.

There are interesting historical references to the decline and fall of earlier empires, Rome Spain, the Netherlands,and of course Britain.

Ah, and now, April 2011 the Republicans are about to close the government down to force the Democrats to make drastic cuts in humanitarian spending and the US is getting involved in yet another mid eastern war. This remains a timely book. ( )