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Armed Madhouse: From Baghdad to New Orleans--Sordid Secrets and Strange Tales of a White House Gone Wild | 
| Author: Greg Palast
Publisher: Plume
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy New: $10.20
You Save: $4.80 (32%)
New (39) Used (37) from $3.82
Rating:  98 reviews
Media: Paperback
Pages: 432
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.1
ISBN: 0452288312
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.931
EAN: 9780452288317
ASIN: 0452288312
Publication Date: April 24, 2007
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
In his most provocative and caustically funny book yet, Greg Palast, author of the national bestseller The Best Democracy Money Can Buy, once again gives us the straight scoop on the stories that Big Media wont report. Digging up reams of documents marked secret and confidential, Palast provides the latest lowdown on Bushs secret plans to seize Iraqs oil, the fix planned for the 2008 election, who drowned New Orleans, and the horror and the humor of the War on Terror. With diligent detective work, moral outrage, and a keen sense of the absurd, Palast takes on the armed and dangerous clowns that rule us as only he can.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 "I laughed, I cried" August 28, 2008
Sandy
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've never read a book by such a witty investigative reporter. It would be nice if we had an objective, courageous mainstream media in this country to give us the kind of reporting Palast does. Since we don't, get your news from sources like "Democracy Now" and go get this book.
 The Cauldron of Light August 25, 2008
C. Via (Tampa, FL USA)
I read Palast's previous book "Best Democracy Money Can Buy" and was blown away by the information it contained. Palast's writing is based on current events, and he blasts government officials ON BOTH SIDES (dems and repubs). It's just that there's more dirt on Repubs, cause there's more in office. Palast is what I call an "equal opportunity hater" (not the racist kind, but the dig up dirt and say it, kind.) and pulls no punches.
I have to be honest about one thing tho... On a couple of Palast's stories in this book, Palast asks the reader to "trust him" and his sources. I say this because those few stories contain little to no evidence to support his claim (short of "a lil birdie told me"). I'm natually suspicious of someone who tells me what I want to hear, but won't tell me who said it. Additionally, this book does NOT have a bibliography, which is seriously disappointing.
On the flip side, the rest of the stories are easily traceable and the evidence easy to procure with a few clicks with google. I would strongly recommend reading the book a bit at a time, and not str8 thru. The reason being is that the stories are very upsetting, and you'll understand them better if u read them with a clear mind. This goes for both proponents of Palast and opponents.
Regardless as to if you think Palast is right or wrong (keep in mind, he used to be an investigator for the govt'), his arguments are possible. And that's what's really key in his writing, as you need to know what someone will do to trick you.
I truly believe that people on both sides of the political fence can take something positive out of Palasts books. Just try to forgive the rehetoric :D I often refer to Palast's books as theh cauldrons of light.
P.S. If you love this book, also check into "Blackwater" by Jeremy Scahill.
Another witty gem from Greg Palast. August 25, 2008
Scripture Studier (WI,USA)
In "Armed Madhouse" the author examines many current political issues.
There is information on the two different plans for the Iraq War and where the plans originated. The consortium of petroleum, chemical, and banking industries all had a hand in one of the plans. That's not common knowledge. The State Department had a 3-day plan while the Pentagon/neo-cons had more of a corporate takeover approach.
"The plan makes it clear to me that, even if we didn't go into Iraq for the oil, we sure as hell weren't leaving without it."-Page 56.
Among some of the topics that I haven't seen adressed much before this book are the following;
Ahmad Chalabi and his close connections to high profile policy makers.
The history of Iraq, particularly the British rule of that country in the 1920's.
A lesson in economics and oil. OPEC membership and production quotas.
OPEC's arrangements with big American oil companies.
Neo-con think tanks and their connections to Big Oil. Exxon-Mobil and the James A. Baker III Institute is one example.
Saddam Hussein's "manipulation of the oil markets" as another motive for regime change.
The identities of some of the participants in Cheney's secret energy planning meetings.
The author reveals that before his career in journalism he was a "forensic economist". He investigated companies such as Enron and Exxon.
Another interesting angle on manufacturing jobs and why China wants them is addressed in "Armed Madhouse".
And nobody covers vote fraud as well as Greg Palast does.
Another memorable quote is found on page 303. "Hot wars abroad can assist class war at home."
The only topic I disagree with Mr. Palast on is suing gun manufacturers for the actions of gun-toting criminals. That's a copout for non-enforcement of existing gun laws.
I liked "Armed Madhouse" better than "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy."
Palast really hit on a lot of current issues and with his typical sarcastic style.
 Palast is highly critical of the Bush Administration June 12, 2008
Michael Emmett Brady (Bellflower, California ,United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Palast looks at the conduct of the Iraqi war from 2003 through 2006,the reconstruction period after the war ended,the administration of Iraq,as well as other events in the Bush presidency,such as the slow and unorganized response to Hurricane Katrina that had destroyed the city of New Orleans in 2005.Palast is highly critical of the manner in which these events were handled,as well as criticising the individuals picked by the Bush Administration to administer the aftermath of the Katrina disaster,the recovery and reconstruction of Iraq ,etc.Palast emphasizes what he considers to be the Bush Administration's incompetence and managerial failures.He definirely has some grounds for his conclusions.
Greg Palast is a genius! April 16, 2008
D. Deyoe (Tucson, AZ USA)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
ARMED MADHOUSE is essential reading. Greg Palast is an investigative journalist with impeccable credentials. After you read ARMED MADHOUSE, expect to be righteously outraged.
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