The Sorrows of Empire

Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic

By: Chalmers Johnson

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Recalling the classic warnings against militarism, from George Washington's farewell address to Dwight Eisenhower's denunciation of the military-industrial complex, Johnson explores the trend of militarism that is bankrupting the United States and creating conditions for a new century of virulent blowback.©2004 Chalmers Johnson (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Outstanding!

Sadly, based on the publication date, this book can be considered prophetic. Nonetheless, it is still a must read for anyone who wants a thorough understanding of what is going on in the world today.

A must read.

A must read for anyone who cares about the coup and the imminent destruction of America. The jihadis have won.

Brilliant.

Should be required reading of all politicians in America. As Americans, 10 years after the death of the author, he remains a powerful voice questioning the Underpinnings of what we are told our national security depends on and does it with piercing logic.

Good to know

I remember all this going on. It’s interesting to see how some of this played out and the consequences.

the more you know. this book will open your eyes.

love it. is was tremendously amazing. this story ufff wao. unbelievable . you need to read it

Shouted required reading

The facts are quite confronting and alarming. The book was put together and researchrd beautifully. I would’ve liked some answers and specific points, that we, as US citizens could do, to restore our empire to the republic for which we stand.

excellent and informative

like the presentation he predicted what is currently going on in 2021 how some authors have a clear view of the future is beyond me

A book for anti militarist conservatives too

Loved it. Was sad to see it end. Glad there is 2 more to hear from Chalmers Johnson

Disturbing and Thorough

I have long been suspicious of the military industrial complex (thanks Dwight!) and yet this took things to another level entirely. The amount of wasted taxpayer money, deception of our own citizens, and unnecessary death and destabilization we’ve caused around the world is truly stunning. As a nation, we are on a militaristic precipice from which it is not clear we are capable of turning back. Sadly, the author’s prescient predictions seem all too true now ~15 years out of publication.

Harvester of Sorrows

It is undeniable that the United States government and its military are imperialistic. It rules over vasts areas of the world it has no legitimate business controlling. Johnson spends much of the book discussing military bases, imperial ambitions, and actions taken by this empire to expand its control over the globe. Having been written right after the September 11th false flag, the book is somewhat outdated.

Johnson belongs to the school of critical thinkers (such as former congressman Ron Paul) who are critical of the actions of the American government, without really ever touching on the actual motivations or driving forces behind it. The notion of "blowback", which really means unintended or unforeseen reactions from the enemies of the US, is one that gains much traction in libertarian or paleoconservative circles. It looks at Al-Qaeda, funded to oppose the USSR and turning on the USA, as a prime example of this reaction. However, this analysis is erroneous.

For "blowback" to be a reality, one would have to think the US government...the military and CIA...are naive do gooders who have, through their good or bad actions, opened the American populace up to reprisals at the hands of "our" enemies. This, of course, is absurd. Americans only have one enemy: the Anglo American Zionist banking establishment which controls international finance, western governments, and the deep state permanent bureaucratic control system. This deep state works day and night to spy on, subjugate, destabilize, pillage and rape one foreign country after another, as well as American citizens. Johnson is definitely a critic of this overt behavior, but as I say, he chalks it up to imperial ambition and hubris on behalf of the American state, when in reality the American state is a subsidiary of organized financial elements. When seen through this lens the recent overthrow of Assad in Syria looks clearer. The Wesley Clark warning of the overthrow of 7 countries in 5 years crystallizes. When we realize actions taken by the government and military of the US are not done to benefit Americans, but in ALL cases the deep state and ruling elite, things make more sense.

Johnson never mentions the Greater Israel Project. This project, as Professor Michel Chossudovsky states, "consists in weakening and eventually fracturing neighboring Arab states as part of a US-Israeli expansionist project in the Middle East". To discuss the War on Terror, the Bush administration lies about WMDs, PNAC, the neoconservatives, and a myriad of other elements of post-9/11 American foreign policy and NOT discuss the Greater Israel Project, seems to me gatekeeping.

Most of these books critical of the American empire (really the American/Zionist empire) simply whitewash the main driving force behind American Middle East policy: Zionism and Israel. It's like talking about the New England Patriots and failing to mention Tom Brady. You're omitting the most important part.

Johnson writes quite a bit like Peter Dale Scott. These are very intelligent men, who nevertheless stuff their books with so much information that the books just don't flow well. What you can digest is very useful, but it comes at you fast and furious so don't daydream. It's a shame these intelligent men cannot see that the US empire is a tool of international, malevolent forces intent on controlling the world, its resources, and ultimately enslaving all of humanity in a technocratic tyranny. That aspect is worth exploring in print. I hope I find a book soon that does so.