Cuckooland: Where the Rich Own the Truth

by Tom Burgis

A true story about Cuckooland – a world where the rich can buy everything – including the truth.

Everywhere, the powerful are making a renewed claim to the greatest prize of to own the truth. The power to choose what you want reality to be and impose that reality on the world.

For three years, Tom Burgis followed a lead that took him deeper and deeper into Cuckooland – the place where the rich own the truth. The trail snaked from the Kremlin to Kathmandu, Stockholm to the Steppe, from a blood-soaked town square in Uzbekistan to a royal retreat in Scotland. Burgis hunted down oligarchs, developed secret sources and traced vast sums of money flowing between multinational corporations, ex-Soviet dictators and the west’s ruling elites. And he found one man who wanted the power to bend reality to his will.

This book tells an astonishing a tale of secrets and lies that reveals how fragile that truth can be. Whether it’s in Kazakh torture chambers or the UK’s High Court, the lords of Cuckooland are seizing control of the truth. They decree what stories may be told about war and money and power, what we are permitted to know – and more importantly, what we are not.

Cuckooland is a deeply reported work of non-fiction that reads like a thriller. It is a story of how globalisation and technological revolution have combined to imperil the foundation of free that the truth belongs to the many, not the few.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Audiobook, Economics, Business, Current Affairs, Journalism

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2024

About the author

Tom Burgis a journalist, who has worked primarily as a correspondent for the Financial Times.

Reviews

[Billy Degge]

We are completely fucked, aren't we?

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being difficult to follow, this choppy read presents disturbing evidence of the way in which kleptocracy subtly winds its way into—and erodes the political and legal foundations of democratic societies.

[Jeff Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever there was a book on corruption with a detective at its core, this is it. Tom Burgis showed that "Access Capitalism", the ability of the wealthy to 'invest' in the Tory Party not only exists but is rife.

Cuckooland focuses on the career of Mohamed Amersi, who made a forune out of his work at TeliaSonera, which was found to have been corrupt in Uzbekistan around 2012. In passing, I can add that I was myself involved with Telia in the UK when I ran a data comms business and did not see any sign of corruption here but Tom has laid out very clearly how TeliaSonera failed in its due diligence to an extent that is beyond belief.

Amersi then is shown to have worked his way into politics in the UK via the provision of substantial amounts of money to the Tory Party. He believed that he had a right of a return on his investment. This right of return, natural for a businessman but abhorrent when politics is concerned has more recently been highlighted in the donations of Hester of £15m - donations that the Tory Party refuse to give up even after Hester was shown to scream racist taunts about Dianne Abbott. Nothing changes.

I should also add that I, as a Trustee, was given the responsibility to interview Amersi when he wanted to make an investment in the Charity. The fact that we did not accept his offer should speak for itself.

Amersi's attack on Charlotte Leslie is also well shown. The desire to provide massive litigation to prevent real comment by the former Tory MP was eventually defeated, but only after huge costs and psychological damage via what was, in effect, SLAPPs. Carter-Ruck, so entertainingly made fun of by Private Eye, is shown to the king of such courtroom contempt. It makes the UK justice system merely a pathetic servant of the rich.

This book is well written, easy to read, hugely important. Its subject matter is critically central to how the UK works and, if the grotesqueness of Access Capitalism is to be expelled, then Cuckooland will have done its job exceedingly well!

[Cristian Cristea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for everyone trying to make sense of the world. I don’t have words to say how important the work of people like Tom Burgis, Catherine Belton, Nicholas Shaxson and others like them is.

In this book we also see the dangers for their work in the current world. Truth risks being bought, processed and distributed. In Mexico, Russia, China, India and soon in other places a journalist writing like Tom Burgis will be killed after the first investigations and propaganda will be called reality. It’s for us all to support this work and preserve the liberty that we still have. For how long? It’s on us all.

[Paul Duncan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter shite. What is wrong with this person.

[Amanda]

Honestly, eat the goddamned rich.

[Jason P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a 3.5 star book - but Burgis deserves the extra half star (and possibly more) just for writing this book about an entitled fixer’s attempts to bend reality to his will through libel suits. I found the detail in the first half a little tough to follow, but I suppose that speaks to the nature of deals involving corrupt dictatorships, offshore bank accounts and ‘investment’ from international companies. The back half of the book is chilling. And it’s not too hard to divine the future of this arena, where rich, powerful people seek to purchase influence and rewrite the truth.

[Sanjana Idnani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - a vitally important book on the pervasive nature of corruption and the complete lack of diligence at the highest echelons of society for the sake of maintaining power and money. But the choppy and time jumpey writing style particularly in the first half made it really difficult to follow and I almost wanted to dnf it about half way through. Ultimately, in a final edition of a book like this, making such a vital truth accessible and engaging has to prevail over an experimental pacy writing style, however exciting it may be to try.

[Ross Nugent · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is based off of an interesting topic and involves super journalism skills.
Thinking back on the book I have a fonder memory than when I was reading it. It is hard to follow, is very choppy and lacks structure.
Although I liked the book it’s very hard to look past how poorly written this was.
Content 8/10
Writing style 2/10

It feels harsh writing this but I feel really down the middle of whether I would recommend this book or not.

But at the end of the day I’ve written 0 books, I don’t know what I’m talking about

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way this was written was pretty hard to follow at times for many reasons (my main gripe was the author chopping and changing between using people's first names and surnames, which was particularly difficult when they're called something like Ben Elliot as they could plausibly be two people!) but an important topic to learn about... scary to think about how widespread this could be and I hope Burgis doesn't get sued off the back of publication

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating and timely book but the narrative was all over the map, like the author is Charlie from from IASIP in front of a whiteboard

[Rodrigo Soto · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting topic and thorough research but hard to follow

[Hiccopolit · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Willed this to be better.

Yes - the UK legal system can and is liberally abused by the rich. Money and power if left unchecked will always try to influence politics. I'm delighted the author is wearing out the soles of his shoes (literally we find in the final chapter) pounding the streets to shine a light on shady dealings.

I also enjoyed the parts about Catherine Belton, whom I have seen speak a couple of times (once at Pushkin house when a "suspicious" bomb threat was called in and we had to evacuate).

But tying everything to a trump, post truth and Brexit meta narrative seemed weak. There was a multiple unnecessary and rather cheap jibes at the NHS Brexit millions on the bus (I'm a remainer but this is clearly a "they lied" narrative which allows us to continue to ignore the underlying reasons the people did vote for Brexit) and the multiple sarcastic references to the dusty hordes (again, immigration is clearly and issue that is important to Mrs and Mrs Smith in the UK).

I found myself actually warming to Mr Amersi - the book's main antagonist. His expletive loaded, often comical dialogue is one of the best parts of the book.

From one perspective he is almost an antihero. He has come from obscurity to become a beneficiary of some of the sleaziest deals the world has ever seen and has managed to walk away with bulging pockets and seemingly no liability. Is he a morally dubious character? Undoubtedly - but I would argue none more so that Bill Browder or Khodorkovsky or many others we are decided to take as minor heroes.

[Campbell J. Brice · Rating 2 out of 5]

An important topic covered poorly. A good example of why journalists need editors.

[Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If someone has a vested interest in preventing me from reading a book, I have a vested interest in reading that book.

Cuckooland was truly enlightening. Every day I become more sceptical. As the West continues to champion itself as the pioneer of democracy, every politician, person in power, and institution of democracy continues to mock these very ideals. I cannot say it better than Tom Burgis,

'You're reading about the enormous, questionable business deals in countries where corruption condemns generation after generation to penury and strife; about relationships between multinational corporations and authoritarian regimes that crush dissent; about flaws of international bribery: soon you'll be reading about whether anyone is checking the origins of donations that shape the course of British democracy, about how wealth secures access to elected rulers, about how courts are used to stifle free speech'.

Wealth, it turns out, can buy you anything. Mohammed Amersi is just one example of the power-hungry, money-driven individuals that shadow-rule our 'democracies'. Servicing these post-Soviet elites weakens the rule of law, true, but so does servicing any wealthy individual who always, always, serves their agenda first and foremost. You think Elon and Zuckerburg don't have an agenda? Does a man who does not stand to profit invest $300 million in an election? Money like this doesn't influence, it decides. There can be no freedom in a world where money can buy power.

'Many people want to believe in Mohammed Amersi. And in Boris Johnson and in Donald Trump. Hearts beating in Vladamir Putin's troops' chests fill with zeal as they march to save their Ukranian cousins from genocidal fascists in Kyiv.'

Here, Burgis gets to the heart of the problem. Individuals hero-worship their oppressors. The oppressed so thoroughly oppressed they are deluded into pseudo-freedom.

And here I must appreciate Tom Burgis and Charlotte Leslie. Both decided to stand and fight. And I cannot admire Burgis more. Burgis, who is already being sued by three Central Asia tycoons over his book Kleptoia, and who understands that 'perhaps [Amersi's] next target will be this book.'

He understands, and embraces, the risks so we know the truth.

And the truth is that individuals who hoard wealth, accumulating it in bribes and dirty money, use it to buy political leaders' loyalty. With this access and their deep pockets, questionable morals, and insatiable greed, there is no wonder that we watch the climate disaster approach passively. That the richest man in the world can afford to end world hunger and chooses instead to buy Twitter. That the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

I mean truly- there were times I hoped this was satire 'when the refurbishments of the minister's Downing Street Flat got preposterously out of hand, Party funds had to cover fifty-eight thousand pounds' worth of bills. And who supplies this money? And why does no one ask questions? And why the hell is it even possible to pay money to obtain the most powerful people in the countries attention?????

The very institutions which are meant to guard against those who would seize reality by force, or try to buy it, are themselves captured. Really, how dare a spokesperson for the Party say that Elliot's role at the Party is 'entirely separate from his other interests'?

Though I am glad that Charlotte Leslie did not lose her court case (since there was adequate and just concern that it is a form of SLAPP suit [Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation where the rich use the courts to intimidate those who cross them into silence by sheer force of wealth]), do not forget that this is not even a slap on the wrist for Amersi. He's just been appointed a trustee at a distinguished American political think tank. This is not a fair game, it turns out, as any one with money is bound by no law and no ethical code. If you have the right number on the cheque, everything's game.

I come away demanding more of myself than ever before. To continue watching the world, witnessing the crimes of those who others will not hold accountable, and reading subversively. For, the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.

[Liam Flanagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time I’ve felt compelled to write a review. This book should be good. The story is intriguing, the research is clearly performed, and the individuals involved are compelling. I would easily give it five stars.

However, the writing is truly awful. There are constant grammar and syntax issues, words are misspelt (‘baned’ being my favourite example in chapter 13), and individuals are constantly referred to differently. Sometimes individuals are referred to using their first name, sometimes their second name, sometimes a title, or sometimes a mixture. This can all be appearing in the space of a sentence or two. The book is horribly clunky and difficult to follow.

The book is short, which is commendable. However brevity seems to be favoured over clarity. The writing is clearly rushed, which is surprising given the author quit his job to write it - perhaps Amersi was on to something!

I found that I would get into a flow of reading a few pages with ease. This is until a timeline seems to jump and it would feel like I had missed something. Other times sentences genuinely made no sense regardless of how many times I reread them. These sentences would sometimes clearly be missing words or linking words, and other times they would just be wholly nonsensical.

I can only place the blame on the editor / publisher. I am disappointed that William Collins (given other notable pieces of writing they’ve overseen) allowed this to go to publication. It needs more time, more work, and a careful eye.

Overall, it is still probably a 2-3. It could have so easily been a 4/5.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finding this hard to review, because there are two elements that make up this book and I can't really judge the most important one. The key ingredient in this book is the investigation behind it, which seems pretty thorough but which I can't pretend to have fact checked. So I guess, 5 stars for a piece that looks accurate to the untrained eye? I certainly think the questions it raises are worth asking, and I'd definitely award 5 stars to anyone willing to ask awkward questions in the climate Burgis describes.

What I can (and do) judge is the writing. Largely, it's good - it's funny enough to hold back the despair that might otherwise engulf the reader. However, I have to wonder why on earth anyone would tell a non-linear story covering a span of decades, multiple countries and a vast array of people in present tense. There's a reason time-jumping, first person present tense is most commonly seen in dream sequences... Eventually I got used to the style and was able to untangle it, but I spent the first part of the book feeling as though I needed to take my own notes and draw diagrams to map it out. It's a minor gripe overall, it just frustrated me given that the book's stated intent is to shed light on (allegedly) shady dealings.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuckooland is an interesting story, but it doesn’t quite live up to the promise of its title or the reputation of its author.

The book centres on one main investigation, which is certainly compelling in parts, but the presentation can feel unfocused. There are moments where the narrative drifts or loses momentum, and it sometimes struggles to maintain a clear through-line. The pacing and structure occasionally feel uneven, making it difficult to stay fully engaged throughout.

Nick Davies is clearly a gifted journalist and investigator. His talent for uncovering the murky underbelly of institutions is evident but that same skill doesn’t always translate smoothly into long-form narrative. The book has the feel of a brilliant article stretched thin over too many pages.

There’s definitely value here for readers interested in investigative journalism or the darker corners of British society, but it might leave others wishing for a tighter, more cohesive account.

[Philippe · Rating 1 out of 5]

No good.

Undoubtedly covers some dodgy stuff, but also spends 200 pages dressing up utterly everyday things as somehow sinister - the following example (of something as mundane as an arbitral tribunal) is illustrative: "Notice of legal proceedings follows. The forum is to be the London Court of International Arbitration. Aigul Nuriyeva's name appears nowhere in the claim. The demand is for payment of the promised millions to a company she controls. Even the legal process itself is secret. A private tribunal, where the rich address delicate matters, unhindered by the principle of open justice."

Also feels self-important that Burgis inserts himself so much as a character in the story.

Some interesting coverage towards the end but by then the damage is already done.

[Glenn Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burgis is an investigative journalist who takes on the kleptocrats who are perverting democracy and the rule of law to the protect their ill-gotten wealth and gain respectability. This tale is mostly about kleptocracy in the United Kingdom, but it could just of well have been about the United States given the astonishing levels of open corruption at present. I think many of us have known for some time that the powerful are manipulating our sense reality. If some of us have picked the wrong targets for our ire (the "deep state", higher education), we are nonetheless on to something fundamentally disorienting. This book, and others he has written, help us to see at least part of what that something is--and why it is. Recommended.

[Roland Glotzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book the investigative journalist Tom Burgis takes on a new style (that of a crime novel) which initially I didn’t like. However as you keep reading the key points become increasingly clearer and upsetting : the link between wealthy donors (philanthropists) and the political elite which ignores how the money of the donors was acquired (often through corruption to get deals done) and how these wealthy donors bully through defamation lawsuits those who try to expose the truth. It also makes clear that while we associate corruption with emerging economies or autocracies, corruption wouldn’t exist without the complicity of Western companies or states.

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Really enjoyed this thought it was interesting and I like very much how everything was woven together. The facts were presented well with clear recordings and hard proof which was effective. I feel the fact it centred around one guy was interesting story wise / narrative wise but didn’t ultimately answer the question of “the rich owning the truth” - I would have enjoyed learning about a greater diversity of cases in more depth rather than a focus on one man.

Will enjoy discussing this at book club!

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this to a certain extent, but less so that Burgis' other works like Kleptopia and The Looting Machine. I don't recall his past work being in this vein of very first person almost gonzo journalist POV where the mannerisms and quotes of his subject matter are so in your face (perhaps that's as aspect I'm not recalling from his prior output). I guess I was missing some bigger picture implications by narrowly focusing so in depth on the main unlikeable protagonist featured here.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an investigative journalist, Burgis goes after the truth as defined by extreme wealth generated from sources in Russia, Uzbekistan and former Soviet countries, all the while contributing to political parties in power and a host of worthwhile charities. When finally brought to court by attorneys which seek to bankrupt the less fortunate, he emerges unscathed, at least for the time being.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lifting the lid on the utter corruption of those in power, politics, business and governments. Unspeakable wealth sloshing around in offshore accounts. Even UK Royalty is implicated. Truth has outdone fiction in our current corrupt world. This murky world of oligarchs and corrupt governments has shown that the UK government is just another commodity that can be bought for the right price.

[Marcus Bickford · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re not breaking the law anything goes (and by the way the law varies depending on where in the world you play). The rich will continue to get richer and this book shines a match on why. To say this is the tip of the iceberg would be an understatement but hats off for trying and risking the wrath of immoral men with bottomless wallets.

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid but not spectacular; perhaps of more interest to those more attuned to the UK. Burgis is a confident writer and a capable investigator who brings a novelistic flair to sections of the book. The book's primary antagonist is, to wildly understate things, quite salty in his conversations with the author, which will make the book more memorable.

[Nirmal · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was a hype in Nepalese media about this book. I was expecting it to be a book with a formal tone that could be relied on as a reference book. However, it is a useless book, part conspiracy, part imagination mixed with some general facts. In other words, the proposition of the book can neither be denied nor accepted.

[Danny Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brave, bold and as always, enthralling book by the (swiftly becoming) brilliant Tom Burgis. The research that goes into his books (as evidenced by a full bibliography and notes section) is impressive. Lots of names to remember which can sometimes be difficult but nonetheless a brilliant read yet again!

[Jared · Rating 1 out of 5]

This seems like an important topic to cover, and I'm sure gathering the information took some bold investigative journalism, but it was written in such a way where I genuinely could not tell what was happening. I had to look up if it was fiction or nonfiction just because it was so confusing. The writing style was a major disservice to whatever information the author was trying to convey.