War is a Racket

By: Smedley Butler

Includes a new foreword by Kristofer Goldsmith,the nations most recognized authority on the targeting of American troops and veterans with disinformation and extremist recruiting efforts.

“A short, blunt, and extremely vigorous blast.” The New York Times

Smedley Butler, a retired Marine Corps major general and the most decorated combat veteran of his era, is best known today for War is a Racket (1935), a searing anti-war, anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism critique of U.S. military interventionism that has remained perennially in-print and is as relevant today as ever.

This new collection features additional writings that underscore Butlers role as a staunch advocate for veterans’ rights and a fearless defender of democracy. In addition to his 1932 call-to-action, “You’ve Got to Get Mad,” this volume includes his explosive 1934 testimony before the McCormack-Dickstein Committee. There, Butler exposed “The Business Plot”a conspiracy by a group of Wall Street and other powerful figures that sought to convince Buter to use his influence over disgruntled veterans to seize control of the federal government and install a fascist regime.

With Americas present day military activity more closely tied to corporate profits and the enrichment of its leaders than ever, Butlers insightful breakdown of the military-industrial complex remains highly resonant. Featuring a new foreword from combat veteran and advocate Kristofer Goldsmith, this edition is an essential resource for anyone looking to build their antifascist toolkit.