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Penguin Press The Invisible Doctrine.
Penguin Press The Invisible Doctrine ABISBOOK Penguin Press.
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George Monbiot
45 books1,104 followersGeorge Joshua Richard Monbiot is a British writer known for his environmental and political activism.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 1, 2026
“what greater power can there be than to operate namelessly?”
monbiot and hutchison provide an exquisite breakdown and critique of the neoliberal capitalist society we live in, from the very conception of these ideas through to the potential alternatives. with such a dense subject it can be easy to get lost in the weeds, but this book provides punchy and clear answers to all the big questions in 25 bite-size chapters, generally under 10 pages. it deconstructs both the national and international systems allowing this to happen, gives a run through of the key figures and interests, and touches upon the many areas of life where neoliberalism has been a destructive force. as they state from the beginning, the biggest asset of neoliberalism is its anonymity; i really can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who wants to get a firmer grasp on the scope of this endemic.
monbiot and hutchison provide an exquisite breakdown and critique of the neoliberal capitalist society we live in, from the very conception of these ideas through to the potential alternatives. with such a dense subject it can be easy to get lost in the weeds, but this book provides punchy and clear answers to all the big questions in 25 bite-size chapters, generally under 10 pages. it deconstructs both the national and international systems allowing this to happen, gives a run through of the key figures and interests, and touches upon the many areas of life where neoliberalism has been a destructive force. as they state from the beginning, the biggest asset of neoliberalism is its anonymity; i really can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who wants to get a firmer grasp on the scope of this endemic.
January 7, 2026
There are 2 groups. We - the ones who ruined everything, and We - the ones who have to clean up the mess and live with the consequences. Make no mistake, there are no more national empires only the neoliberal empire run by Oligarchs and the politicians they buy. (Ironic that I write this on a platform owned by one of the biggest of them all, thank you daddy Bezos).
January 17, 2026
giving it 5/5 even though i‘m aware its probably not perfect and probably quite biased ( how could you not be with this topic though ) because its the first proper non fiction book i‘ve read that deals woth this type of topic and definetly got me into reading more like this
February 27, 2026
I reread this book because it is so relevant to the current world situation, I felt it needed to be brought to the attention of as many people as possible.
Subtitled ‘The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came to Control Your Life)’, and providing 57 pages of bibliography indicating the sources of research, this small book may be counted as one of the most important pieces of work to arise in the current situation.
It’s clear most people remain unaware of the threat posed by the doctrine once known as ‘Neoliberalism’ but now existing without any specific name in order to disguise its continued presence. This philosophy, embraced by many secretly-funded academic organisations and financial advisers posing as neutral, is, in fact bankrolled by a group of billionaires and millionaires desperate to hang onto their greedily acquired wealth.
The authors explain, in detail, how this idea came about and the disasters it has caused along the way, from the initial establishment of Capitalism on the then uninhabited island of Madeira (Portuguese for ‘wood’) in the 1420s, through to the modern extreme version begun in 1938 when the term ‘neoliberalism’ was coined.
Having established the history, they go on to explain how this doctrine has become accepted by very many ill-advised governments worldwide and by universities, supported by the right-wing press under the ownership of oligarchs and press barons.
That the end point of the doctrine must result in the destruction of life on Earth as we know it is not considered a problem by those who fund and promote the ideas. They are the truly wealthy, the parasites who prey on everyone else to feed their greed and insatiable desire for more wealth than they can possibly use in a lifetime.
You will need to read the book to understand exactly how this appalling situation has been able to develop into a system that currently effectively runs the entire world but benefits only the very few at the cost of all others, including you.
Most reasonable people are aware of how extreme right-wing politics is destroying what was just beginning to develop into a unified and generally democratic world, much needed in our troubled times. You will no doubt be unsurprised to know the following names are heavily involved in the system: Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Jair Bolsonaro, Narendra Modi, Scott Morrison, Benjamin Netanyahu, Rodrigo Duterte, Recep Erdogan, Viktor Orban and many more such deeply flawed people. We all know their true natures. Allowed to rise to dominate politics, supported by billionaires and millionaires, neoliberalism is a true friend of those politicians desiring domination through dictatorship.
In a review of this sort it is impossible to deal adequately with the reality of the threat to life that self-serving, largely corrupt, and often incompetent individuals pose to the whole of humanity. You do need to read the book. I find myself still reeling from the information received.
Subtitled ‘The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came to Control Your Life)’, and providing 57 pages of bibliography indicating the sources of research, this small book may be counted as one of the most important pieces of work to arise in the current situation.
It’s clear most people remain unaware of the threat posed by the doctrine once known as ‘Neoliberalism’ but now existing without any specific name in order to disguise its continued presence. This philosophy, embraced by many secretly-funded academic organisations and financial advisers posing as neutral, is, in fact bankrolled by a group of billionaires and millionaires desperate to hang onto their greedily acquired wealth.
The authors explain, in detail, how this idea came about and the disasters it has caused along the way, from the initial establishment of Capitalism on the then uninhabited island of Madeira (Portuguese for ‘wood’) in the 1420s, through to the modern extreme version begun in 1938 when the term ‘neoliberalism’ was coined.
Having established the history, they go on to explain how this doctrine has become accepted by very many ill-advised governments worldwide and by universities, supported by the right-wing press under the ownership of oligarchs and press barons.
That the end point of the doctrine must result in the destruction of life on Earth as we know it is not considered a problem by those who fund and promote the ideas. They are the truly wealthy, the parasites who prey on everyone else to feed their greed and insatiable desire for more wealth than they can possibly use in a lifetime.
You will need to read the book to understand exactly how this appalling situation has been able to develop into a system that currently effectively runs the entire world but benefits only the very few at the cost of all others, including you.
Most reasonable people are aware of how extreme right-wing politics is destroying what was just beginning to develop into a unified and generally democratic world, much needed in our troubled times. You will no doubt be unsurprised to know the following names are heavily involved in the system: Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Jair Bolsonaro, Narendra Modi, Scott Morrison, Benjamin Netanyahu, Rodrigo Duterte, Recep Erdogan, Viktor Orban and many more such deeply flawed people. We all know their true natures. Allowed to rise to dominate politics, supported by billionaires and millionaires, neoliberalism is a true friend of those politicians desiring domination through dictatorship.
In a review of this sort it is impossible to deal adequately with the reality of the threat to life that self-serving, largely corrupt, and often incompetent individuals pose to the whole of humanity. You do need to read the book. I find myself still reeling from the information received.
November 10, 2025
I was watching a video by Jared Henderson, he talked about this book, I tried to purchase it in the UK (London) a while ago, but they didn't have it, and then I suddenly came across it in Canterbury! Reading this short book was a mind-bending experience.
In short, you thought capitalism was bad? Lol. Meet its big brother (who is also on steroids and an evil fucking demon) 'neo-liberalism'. Give this book to all of those dumbfucks that think voting for right-wing politicians that want a smaller government and love the free market is a fantastic idea.
Do you ever wonder how clowns like Reagan, Thatcher, or more recently Wilders, Johnson, Trump, Orban, Erdogan (the list goes on) come into power, make sure all public facilities deteriorate into a fucking shitshow, enrich their lobbyist friends, and the people still think that's great because at least something is done about those damn immigrants?
Politicians are bought, the rich elite and massive corporations push their hidden agenda, they get richer (and no, dummy, it doesn't trickle down, or it already would have), and literally everyone else is worse off. No, not a conspiracy theory, hardly fiction. These demagogues hide in the shadows and convince those dumb idiots that either you are too lazy, or maybe those damn immigrants are.. doing something horrible, so focus on that and don't look while we empty your pockets and add trillions to our own wealth. Also fuck you.
The world is in flames and it's not going to get better, but most of those rich fuckheads will be dead or safe by that time anyways, they can afford it. You can't, so what are you going to do?
Now it would be improper to suggest that people should consider becoming eco-terrorists to combat the industries destroying the planet and it would be worse to suggest that we 'eat the rich' as the saying goes, but oh well, this is just a review.
Pretty thought-provoking book, quick and easy read, but definitely an eye-opener.
In short, you thought capitalism was bad? Lol. Meet its big brother (who is also on steroids and an evil fucking demon) 'neo-liberalism'. Give this book to all of those dumbfucks that think voting for right-wing politicians that want a smaller government and love the free market is a fantastic idea.
Do you ever wonder how clowns like Reagan, Thatcher, or more recently Wilders, Johnson, Trump, Orban, Erdogan (the list goes on) come into power, make sure all public facilities deteriorate into a fucking shitshow, enrich their lobbyist friends, and the people still think that's great because at least something is done about those damn immigrants?
Politicians are bought, the rich elite and massive corporations push their hidden agenda, they get richer (and no, dummy, it doesn't trickle down, or it already would have), and literally everyone else is worse off. No, not a conspiracy theory, hardly fiction. These demagogues hide in the shadows and convince those dumb idiots that either you are too lazy, or maybe those damn immigrants are.. doing something horrible, so focus on that and don't look while we empty your pockets and add trillions to our own wealth. Also fuck you.
The world is in flames and it's not going to get better, but most of those rich fuckheads will be dead or safe by that time anyways, they can afford it. You can't, so what are you going to do?
Now it would be improper to suggest that people should consider becoming eco-terrorists to combat the industries destroying the planet and it would be worse to suggest that we 'eat the rich' as the saying goes, but oh well, this is just a review.
Pretty thought-provoking book, quick and easy read, but definitely an eye-opener.
January 13, 2026
Around half way through the book, in a chapter titled "When Neoliberals Get Everything They Want - A Case Study" the authors write of former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, stating she "was the co-author of a book called Britannia Unchained, a semi-literate polemic..." They seem to be unaware that this also happens to be the perfect review for The Invisible Doctrine.
This is a truly awful short polemic, drenched in a hatred for a contested political ideology that, rightly, deserves criticism and renewal. It is impossible to undertake that form of assessment without acknowledging the benefits that a system brings (and there are some, such as technical innovation) and only focus on its disadvantages. This is ultimately the downfall of this book.
It is towards the end of the book that the authors start writing about proposed solutions to neoliberalism with a suggestion of reintroducing commons, using an example of allotments as being some sort of utopian ideal. All I would suggest is that anyone with experience of allotments and their societies would never consider making such a suggestion in a book of this sort. Have the authors any idea of the sort of petty rules and regulations, and characters, that align themselves to the organisations? Radical solutions are not solutions if they are not deliverable.
But it is the simplistic interpretation that 'neoliberalism' = 'bad' that is the books greatest failing. Toward the end the authors write "While we all possess some degree of selfishness and greed, these are not our dominant values. Most people are primarily motivated by more social values: altruism, empathy, family, community and the pursuit of a better world."
This is the main failing. If we accept that people's values are on a scale, then we must accept that concepts are too. It is what The Invisible Doctrine singularly fails to do.
This is a truly awful short polemic, drenched in a hatred for a contested political ideology that, rightly, deserves criticism and renewal. It is impossible to undertake that form of assessment without acknowledging the benefits that a system brings (and there are some, such as technical innovation) and only focus on its disadvantages. This is ultimately the downfall of this book.
It is towards the end of the book that the authors start writing about proposed solutions to neoliberalism with a suggestion of reintroducing commons, using an example of allotments as being some sort of utopian ideal. All I would suggest is that anyone with experience of allotments and their societies would never consider making such a suggestion in a book of this sort. Have the authors any idea of the sort of petty rules and regulations, and characters, that align themselves to the organisations? Radical solutions are not solutions if they are not deliverable.
But it is the simplistic interpretation that 'neoliberalism' = 'bad' that is the books greatest failing. Toward the end the authors write "While we all possess some degree of selfishness and greed, these are not our dominant values. Most people are primarily motivated by more social values: altruism, empathy, family, community and the pursuit of a better world."
This is the main failing. If we accept that people's values are on a scale, then we must accept that concepts are too. It is what The Invisible Doctrine singularly fails to do.
April 23, 2026
Overall: A brief but well crafted book that nimbly introduces a complex and corrupting political philosophy with potent historical examples. The primary criticism which deprives me of issuing the last star is a result of the glaring cracks showing in the conclusion, where the author's viable means for change were drowned and lost in an ocean of poorly explored examples.
Narrative Structure: Throughout most of the narrative the author is successful in keeping his prose readable and concise, avoid tangent pitfalls when weaving some entertaining historical epochs as evidence whilst not pandering to the audience by restraining language or voice. The only complaint for myself with the structure would be the short chapters, the briefness often left me feeling as if I was only being offered a superficial oversight, despite overall feeling like the book accomplishes its goal.
Criticisms: I wanted to use the last section of my review just to expand more on my critiques of the author's concluding appeals and suggestions for change. The lack of exposition or interrogative exploration of the examples of the anarchic societies the author believes would usher in change, the book fails at the end to rise above being a critique of Neoliberalism, which while it does very well, there is potential for more. This is the first book I have had the pleasure of reading from this author, so hopefully in future I will have the opportunity to explore his suggestions in more depth and be further convinced of the merits of his ideas.
Narrative Structure: Throughout most of the narrative the author is successful in keeping his prose readable and concise, avoid tangent pitfalls when weaving some entertaining historical epochs as evidence whilst not pandering to the audience by restraining language or voice. The only complaint for myself with the structure would be the short chapters, the briefness often left me feeling as if I was only being offered a superficial oversight, despite overall feeling like the book accomplishes its goal.
Criticisms: I wanted to use the last section of my review just to expand more on my critiques of the author's concluding appeals and suggestions for change. The lack of exposition or interrogative exploration of the examples of the anarchic societies the author believes would usher in change, the book fails at the end to rise above being a critique of Neoliberalism, which while it does very well, there is potential for more. This is the first book I have had the pleasure of reading from this author, so hopefully in future I will have the opportunity to explore his suggestions in more depth and be further convinced of the merits of his ideas.
December 1, 2025
One would think everyone has heard enough about the (terrible) influence of neoliberalism on contemporary society and politics, as the cause of economic immiseration, inequality and breakdown of communities worldwide. But Monbiot and Hutchinson still believe there is an audience for an incendiary takedown of the rich and powerful's favourite ideology.
The book covers 25 chapters, all very short and snappy. Consider them as 25 longread columns in say the Guardian. Readers with a bit of background will see many familiar points and stories, so the book is ideal for those making their first forays into understanding politics and power. For the initiated, you will probably not gain any major new insights, but it's a pleasure to read how they carve neoliberalism to bits of stale and childish political philosophy.
The first chapters follow neatly after one another, but later on you can tell that Monbiot or Hutchinson are pulling ideas and hobby horses that they have developed in more detail in other work. For instance, 'a new story', was expertedly lain out by Monbiot in his book 'Out of the Wreckage'. In that sense, it's a perfect entry point. Tease people in, then get them hooked with more of that good stuff.
The book covers 25 chapters, all very short and snappy. Consider them as 25 longread columns in say the Guardian. Readers with a bit of background will see many familiar points and stories, so the book is ideal for those making their first forays into understanding politics and power. For the initiated, you will probably not gain any major new insights, but it's a pleasure to read how they carve neoliberalism to bits of stale and childish political philosophy.
The first chapters follow neatly after one another, but later on you can tell that Monbiot or Hutchinson are pulling ideas and hobby horses that they have developed in more detail in other work. For instance, 'a new story', was expertedly lain out by Monbiot in his book 'Out of the Wreckage'. In that sense, it's a perfect entry point. Tease people in, then get them hooked with more of that good stuff.
January 11, 2026
This book is a brilliant analysis of the truly pernicious ideology neoliberalism which sits under the publics perception of what they think democracy is. This book exposes the ideology originally popularised by Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig Von Mises and then brought into the mainstream economic culture by Milton Friedman. Criminal Politicians and leaders who are deeply flawed human beings with oversized egos and pathological insecurities like Victor Oban, Narenda Modi, Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and jail Bolsono have all been enabled by neoliberal ideologies that competition, deregulation,and privatisation will lead to wealth that will enrich everyone when what has been the case historically has that neoliberalism has made the wealthy even wealthier leading to the exploitation and endangerment of workers and as in the financial crisis of 2008 led to financial collapse bank bail ins and huge transfers of wealth to the richest 5 percent reminiscent of feudalism. The authors Hutchinson and Monbiot explain the neoliberal confidence trick in a passionate and informed way and explain the existential crisis it has created removing the scales from our eyes and giving us some hope an alternative world is possible.
November 18, 2025
Political texts like these are really necessary once in a while: incendiary, frustrating, efficient. While light on in-depth history (not to be confused with light on fact, as the thorough index of citations would prove) this is brimming with highly quotable, emotionally charged aphorisms that add flavour to an already engaging essay. Would recommend keeping a highlighter close.
April 23, 2026
Just finished reading ‘The Invisible Doctrine-the secret history of neoliberalism & how it came to control your life’ by George Monbiot and Peter Hutchison. Fascinating overview of how neoliberalism seized state power in the west, and how the left needs to abandon incrementalism and develop its own story to combat neoliberalism.
December 15, 2025
A much needed perspective for our time.
Can get a bit ideological, when in fact I think there are stronger mathematical or game-theoretic arguments for why extreme capitalism doesn't lead to desirable outcomes in all cases (obviously?).
But it's a quick read, and very interesting.
Can get a bit ideological, when in fact I think there are stronger mathematical or game-theoretic arguments for why extreme capitalism doesn't lead to desirable outcomes in all cases (obviously?).
But it's a quick read, and very interesting.
January 6, 2026
A good introduction to what is neo-liberalism. A book to make you angry! But as often with these books the solution as to what we should do about the destruction of our planet, and the huge wealth that is being accumulated by the few, is less easy to predict or hope for.
December 7, 2025
Accessible and descriptive, though for a book / essay with a tone of resistance, it is a little light on details of “what to do next”.
December 15, 2025
Serves really well as an overview of the rise of neoliberalism. A great entry point to critical political reading
December 27, 2025
An important topic to highlight. There is plenty of information floating around on this subject, and the book helps organize it.
The book cover is way more daring than the content itself.
The book cover is way more daring than the content itself.
January 9, 2026
Everyone should read this book before you choose who to vote for.
January 14, 2026
I wish more people would read this
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews