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Name: The Looting Machine: Warlords, Oligarchs, Corporations, Smugglers, and the Theft of Africa's Wealth: Burgis, Tom: 9781610397117: Amazon.com: Books
Price: 17.66 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (429 reviews)

The Looting Machine: Warlords, Oligarchs, Corporations, Smugglers, and the Theft of Africa's Wealth Paperback – May 3, 2016

by Tom Burgis (Author)

429 ratings

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An “impressive” (Wall Street Journal) exposé of twenty-first century individuals and companies who have become obscenely rich from the resource trade in Africa

Africa is the world’s poorest continent and, arguably, its richest. In The Looting Machine, Tom Burgis takes readers on a gripping journey into the world of the magnates and militiamen, the despots and jet-setting executives who gorge on Africa’s vast stocks of oil, gas, metals, and precious stones. Combining deep reporting with an action-packed narrative, Burgis presents a blistering investigation of the plunder of a continent and the terrible human toll.

Editorial Reviews

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A Financial Times Best Book of the Year, 2015

“A great scrapbook of exploitation. It is written in a way that will appeal to the general reader, but still interest specialists...Burgis has the good sense not to present [the cruel contrast between individual poverty and national wealth] in an alarmist way, but with an understatement that is far more powerful...The Looting Machine is in part a means of self‑exoneration, a way of making amends to those he ultimately could not help...[In this book he] has done a service to some of the world’s poorest people.”―Financial Times

“A powerful new book.”―Nicholas Kristof, New York Times

“[An] impressive study… It is to Mr. Burgis's tremendous credit that he writes with such tenacity.”―Wall Street Journal

“[Burgis] presents a lively portrait of the rapacious ‘looting machine’...a rich collage of examples showing the links between corrupt companies and African elites.”―Economist

“[Burgis] brings the tools of an investigative reporter and the sensibility of a foreign correspondent. [He] transcends the tired binary debate about the root causes of the continent's misery.”―Howard French, Foreign Affairs

“A brave and defiant book.”―New York Times Sunday Book Review

“A rollercoaster read. Filled with vignettes on spooks, smugglers and kleptocratic warlords with suitcases of cash, it reads like a crime thriller, while at the same time being a well‑researched, accessible account of the extractives industry; the privatisation of power in Africa and its impact on the continent’s people.”―African Arguments

“Brilliant fascinating detail. The book lives up to its colourful subtitle: ‘Warlords, tycoons, smugglers and the systematic theft of Africa's wealth.’ Showing the finesse and determination that has won him awards at the FT, and at considerable risk to his own well‑being, Burgis tracks down and confronts the people at the centre of this plunder.”―African Research Institute

“This fine book...catalogues the grotesque self‑enrichment of the callous rulers of Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, countries that should be immensely wealthy, but which remain poor, even by African standards. In each case, this theft of national treasure would be impossible without non‑African facilitators. ... Burgis’s book is essential to understanding why poverty, ignorance and conflict persist in Africa.”―Independent Catholic News

“After nine years reporting on Africa for the Financial Times, Tom Burgis exposes how the extractive industries have turned into a hideous looting machine [an] informative book.”―The Guardian (UK)

“[Burgis] makes a powerful case, through anecdote and evidence, that the dirty trade in raw materials serves individuals’ own enrichment and the demands of oligarchic and state interests worldwide.”―The Times (UK)

“Burgis shows how even the World Bank is linked to this looting [of Africa, and he] makes an important case colourfully, convincingly and at times courageously as he confronts some of those involved in the pillaging.”―Observer (UK)

“Revealing... Burgis explains lucidly how the oil and mineral bonanza subverts societies and corrupts western multinational companies trying to cash in... [He] is particularly acute in analysing how multinationals connive in this institutionalised theft. This intelligent book should give us all pause for thought when we fill our cars with petrol.”―The Sunday Times (UK)

“An excellent book. Despite Africa's impressive economic 5% growth rate, Tom Burgis ensures that we don't stop wondering who does what in Africa and how we are all party to what Western investors” are up to. The post‑colonial corruption and rape of African resource to the benefit of western consumption is still alive and horribly well.”―Jon Snow, presenter, Channel 4 News (UK)

“Essential for understanding the colonial Africa of the past and, even more so, the diverse Africa of today.”―Library Journal

“A brave, excoriating exposé of the systematic ruination of resource‑rich countries of Africa, leaving ‘penury and strife’ for its millions of inhabitants...An earnest, eye‑opening, important account for Western readers.”―Kirkus (Starred)

“[An] excellent, finely reported book...The great value of The Looting Machine lies in its fresh detail, storytelling and the characters Burgis introduces. The Looting Machine is crammed with colour and lively investigative reporting.”―Literary Review (UK)

About the Author

Tom Burgis is an award-winning investigative reporter and bestselling author. Before becoming a member of the Guardian’s investigative team, he was a foreign correspondent in South America and Africa. His most recent book was Kleptopia. He lives in London.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ PublicAffairs; Reprint edition (May 3, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1610397118
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1610397117
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 1.5 x 8.2 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #398,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #72 in Political Trades and Tariffs
- #160 in African Politics
- #687 in Economic Conditions (Books)

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Tom Burgis
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Tom Burgis is an award-winning investigative reporter and bestselling author. Based in London after years as a foreign correspondent in South America and Africa, he is a member of The Guardian’s investigations team. He has exposed major corruption scandals, covered terrorist attacks, coups and forgotten conflicts, and traced dirty money from the Kremlin to Washington. His journalism has won awards in the US and Asia and been shortlisted at the British Press Awards, the British Journalism Awards and the European Press Prize.
Kleptopia: How dirty money is conquering the world, Burgis’s second book, was published in 2020 and became an international bestseller. It exposes the hidden connections that link a massacre on the Kazakh steppe and a stolen election in Zimbabwe to the City of London and, ultimately, the White House. Burgis reveals how the world’s kleptocrats—those who rule through corruption—are uniting and threaten to overwhelm democracy.
His first book, The Looting Machine, was published in 2015. It revealed how the exploitation of Africa’s vast natural resources condemns the continent to corruption, conflict and poverty. The New York Times called it a ‘brave, defiant book’. It won the Overseas Press Club of America’s award for the year’s best book on international affairs.
Previously he was an investigative reporter at the Financial Times.
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Customers find the book well-researched and instructive, with one describing it as a completely eye-opening work. The storytelling receives positive feedback, with one customer noting that the stories will blow your mind. The book's readability receives mixed reactions, with some finding it excellent while others describe it as a depressing read.

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30 customers mention "Information quality"28 positive2 negative

Customers find the book well-researched and instructive, with one customer describing it as completely eye-opening.

"...If you need to understand the continent, this is a nice book to start with." Read more

"...they have for so many Asian nations, this will be a great starting place to acquire keen insight." Read more

"...Enlightening and inspiring read!" Read more

"...The third element is the explanatory stuff. This is where the book knocks it out of the park. The writer's explanations for stuff are fantastic...." Read more

9 customers mention "Storytelling"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling of the book, with one customer describing it as an inspiring read with a compelling storyline.

"This book is slightly challenging, meanders somewhat, but is endlessly fascinating...." Read more

"...Enlightening and inspiring read!" Read more

"...The second element is the anecdotal stuff. For some books this provides a wonderful human element that you wouldn't get otherwise...." Read more

"Good story line and to the point. A little hard to read with its many references to hard to pronounce(remember) African names...." Read more

4 customers mention "Look"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the look of the book stunning, with one describing it as very eye opening.

"...More than that though, it's a completely eye-opening book. Stunning. I don't often go out to recommend books, but this is worth it. Buy this book!..." Read more

"...A very well researched look into post-colonial Africa and its leaders...." Read more

"...Is a great look at how capitalist system is not evil my nature but by manipulations of man." Read more

"All very eye opening, and scary. What is our world coming to? We are all ready there..." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"13 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with some finding it excellent while others describe it as hard to read and depressing.

"...I felt that the abundance of information made it fascinating and kept me reading...." Read more

"This is an excellent read on how the nation of Africa has been robbed and raped from to make the rest of the world wealthy at the expense of the..." Read more

"...But not the only ones. Not a light or happy read and one that does not suggest any improvements will ever occur." Read more

"...The writer's explanations for stuff are fantastic. He's able to word things in such a manner than anyone can get it...." Read more

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Kevin M Quigg
Why the Africans get poorer while Western and Chinese companies get richer.
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2015
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Many people wonder why African countries have stayed poor, after the rest of the world has become more economically viable. The answer is that Western and now Chinese companies are looting Africa of their natural resources. The looting takes place with African allies in the countries. Nigerian and Angolan authorities help the West and the Chinese with their oil needs for huge kickbacks that disappear into far away banks, while the average Nigerian and Angolan subsist on less and less money. To make matters worse, the Chinese steal the clothing market away from Nigerians with their clothing smuggled into Nigeria, destroying a market where the local population made a living. In Ghana, an American company pays a fraction of the profits to the local government after mining gold. The company poisons the environment and the local population gets no benefits except poisoned fish. In the DRC, the Kabila dynasty replaced Mobutu, and now mines lots of materials (bauxite, tantalum) but the local population gets guns to settle ethnic rivalries. The ethnic rivalries are just gangs wanting a piece of the action so that they can make their money. Western and Chinese companies loot the continent and the West wonders why Africans are so poor. Africans get a tiny portion of aid that these multinationals rip off from the Africans. Burgis tells the story of why things must change in Africa.

This is a great book about the inequalities in Western and Chinese business in Africa. If you need to understand the continent, this is a nice book to start with.

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25 people found this helpful

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JazzLover7
A different look at the poverty of Africa
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2015
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This book is slightly challenging, meanders somewhat, but is endlessly fascinating. I gave it 4 stars because I felt that the abundance of information made it fascinating and kept me reading. But it could stand some improvement to its structure and organization. To me though, the bottom line is that, if you tire of supporting charities and causes that support the African peoples and nations and wonder why things don't seem to improve for African nations like they have for so many Asian nations, this will be a great starting place to acquire keen insight.

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14 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer
Excellent truth
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2023
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This is an excellent read on how the nation of Africa has been robbed and raped from to make the rest of the world wealthy at the expense of the impoverished African people.

This author exposed this bravely in an atmosphere that was highly dangerous and full of bad actors on a world stage.

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Tosin Alli
A look into the eyes of the beast that's ravaging Africa
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2022
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A documentary of the links in the web of complicity of actors hiding behind the state and corporate structures that have been sucking Africa dry for centuries. This book illustrates how the tentacles of globalization, which we all benefit from, are long and strong and evolving, reaching out and into the depths of all continents; squeezing the lifeblood out of poor resource communities. Enlightening and inspiring read!

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David Freydkin
Why countries rich in natural resources usually end up poor
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2020
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This headline is very thoroughly explained by Tom Burgis in The Looting Machine as he devotes different chapters to different sub-Saharan African countries including, but not limited to, Angola, Congo, Guinea, and Nigeria. From reading this book, it becomes clear that it is a combination of both foreign businesses and African leadership that cause the poverty and lack of progress on the continent.

One major factor is that the businesses from throughout the world pay the African governments one-time license fees to extract raw materials such as metals from the African lands. The governments pocket the fees and share very little if any of it with the general populations of the countries. Instead, the government leaders and their cronies use it for their own purposes. Meanwhile, the businesses extract the raw materials and either sell them or use them for manufacturing. So, the cycle continues.

Both the business and government leaders exploiting African raw materials have offshore bank accounts in tax haven countries, which are very difficult to trace. They enrich themselves and often escape any sort of penalties.

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17 people found this helpful

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tayloao
OK...not great...not terrible.
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2016
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Anyone that studies Africa knows the continent is getting looted of its resources. Those that don't need it explained. Most books like this are written for one audience or the other. If it's written for those that don't know, it needs to lay out the information in a clear and articulate way. This book doesn't really do that. When it comes to books written for those that already know, you've got to present new and different information in a new and different way to really get the reader into it. This book doesn't do that very well either.

The book is composed of three elements. The first element is the acedemic information. The book does this ok. The information is there, but there's better ways of presenting it. The second element is the anecdotal stuff. For some books this provides a wonderful human element that you wouldn't get otherwise. This book doesn't really do that very well either. The third element is the explanatory stuff. This is where the book knocks it out of the park. The writer's explanations for stuff are fantastic. He's able to word things in such a manner than anyone can get it. The only problem is that the three elements are all woven together and spread throughout.

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16 people found this helpful

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Captain K
The Title Says It Best
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023
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This dense and massively researched account by a British financial journalist may be a bit out of date but I see no reason to think matters have gotten any better. A common theme is what Burgis calls "the resource curse," fabulous riches found inside desperately poor and usually dysfunctional former colonies. Without a democratic tradition having been instilled prior to independence, they fall prey to strongmen wooed by often shadowy corporations and billionaires. The solution is definitely NOT Marxism; indeed, the Chinese may be among the worst offenders. But not the only ones. Not a light or happy read and one that does not suggest any improvements will ever occur.

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Vishal Markanday
Must read
Reviewed in India on October 24, 2015
Verified Purchase

Great narrative n commentary! A must read for everyone interested in the subject.

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R.C.Katangole Kyalo
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2017
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Very pleased

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Olugbolahan Mark-George
A very easy book to read with real insights and data
Reviewed in Canada on September 28, 2017
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A very easy book to read with real insights and data. Vey informative and a must read for anyone who is concerned with development of the nation state and the African continent in general.

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Dodini Tullio
L' Africa non e' solo questo
Reviewed in Italy on September 26, 2017
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Scritto in modo confuso e caotico, con descrizioni e commenti poco giustificati.
Troppe illazioni e pochi fatti.
Deludente per chi ha vissuto veramente in Africa e la conosce nel bene e nel male.

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The g Factor
A lot of Research
Reviewed in Australia on November 30, 2020
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It appears a lot of research went into the writing of this book and it gives us insight into why many Africans are mired in poverty while the continent has enormous mineral wealth.

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The Looting Machine: Warlords, Oligarchs, Corporations, Smugglers, and the Theft of Africa's Wealth Paperback – May 3, 2016

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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Why the Africans get poorer while Western and Chinese companies get richer.

4.0 out of 5 stars A different look at the poverty of Africa

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent truth

5.0 out of 5 stars A look into the eyes of the beast that's ravaging Africa

5.0 out of 5 stars Why countries rich in natural resources usually end up poor

3.0 out of 5 stars OK...not great...not terrible.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Title Says It Best

Top reviews from other countries

4.0 out of 5 stars Must read

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

5.0 out of 5 stars A very easy book to read with real insights and data

1.0 out of 5 stars L' Africa non e' solo questo

4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of Research

Why the Africans get poorer while Western and Chinese companies get richer.

A different look at the poverty of Africa

Excellent truth

A look into the eyes of the beast that's ravaging Africa

Why countries rich in natural resources usually end up poor

OK...not great...not terrible.

The Title Says It Best

Must read

Five Stars

A very easy book to read with real insights and data

L' Africa non e' solo questo

A lot of Research