The Shadows of Power: The Council on Foreign Relations and the American Decline

by James Perloff

New 2002 edition-includes updated list of CFR members! James Perloff exposes the subversive roots and global designs of the CFR. Passed off as a think-tank, this group is a key "power behind the throne," with hundreds of top-appointed government officials drawn from its ranks. Traces activity from the Wilson to Reagan administrations.

Genres: Politics, History, Conspiracy Theories, Nonfiction

273 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1988

Reviews

[Bliss Tew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the top expose' books in American history, such as the older NONE DARE CALL IT CONSPIRACY that sold 5-million copies. The private Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is revealed in this book that delved into the CFR and its history inside our government, media, acedemia, and the other human institutions in America. Learn about the shadow government that has controlled the State Department for decades and determined America's foreign policy, often to our detriment.

To understand American politics of the 20th century and 21st centuries, one must understand the combinations of powerful men and women that collude together to bring each other to power, to keep power, and to direct power in America. The CFR is a great place to begin the examination.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a real eye opener. Very well documented and well written The Shadows of Power helps to unfold the parts of history that never made sense in the back of my mind. Just why was Russia given so many concessions after WWII? Why did the strongest military on earth fumble in Vietnam? Why do the Republicans and Democrats, while speaking different lingo, keep sending us down the same hole of debt and irresponsibility? There are many mistakes our country's leaders have made in the past that are repeated over and over again and it is past time that we stand up, speak up, and demand an account of those actions!

[Thomas Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Council on Foreign Relations is the shadow government that is pulling the strings behind the scenes. If you want to know why you have little say in our republic; look no further than the CFR. The organization is a who’s who in business, media and government. In a nutshell, the CFR is the American branch of the people who want, have been and are building a One World Government. James Perloff exposed their conspiracy and documents the history of the corruption in our society caused by the big government, big business cabal. If you want to know why the government and Wall Street keep growing and small business and individuals keep losing, you will want to read this book.

[Kevin White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, well-documented historical overview of what was really going on behind the scenes in twentieth century American politics. Highly recommended.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This scared me. However, I'd rather know than be ignorant.

[Walter Bradley Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

Complete disturbing. Apparently, the American-based Council on Foreign Relations has this pervasive and over-reaching power over US foreign policy. They have their members occupying the majority of the Presidential Cabinet, and most of the presidents themselves over the last 80+ years. They care not who makes the rules, so long as they control the currency.

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book on what went wrong with our US political system and who took US off track... hint: Banksters, many who amassed at Jekyll Island to form the legislation for the Federal Reserve and the Income Tax were there... and before they made that change, the Banksters played with our Stock Market to crash the system and then assured nobody fixed the system until Everyone was Depressed.

[Max E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful exposé of the CFR.

[Dahmane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book describes mainly the hidden oligarchy behind the scene in the US and who is in control of US foreign policy. The role of the Council on foreign relations is well exposed including other nasty entities associated with this notorious organisation.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a bit wacky...i was given the book by a very passionate and well person at a local book fair (he belongs to the group that distributes the book) because i am a teacher....but, i don't know about it- but i am only just starting, so we shall see.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used to discuss the Council on Foreign Relations with my Father in Law Frank Gentile and understood the link with their influence on both parties and the Federal Reserve. This book helped me to understand modern era administrations in greater detail.

[zikafus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this after NDCC... here's the details of the real power brokers in the world.

[Ty Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

this shit is real.

[Jorgina]

I have had this book for years and have lent it out numerous times, gues I should read it now.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of citations. I dug into only a sampling of them mostly only in the first couple chapters.
In several instances I thought the author showed restraint in limiting conclusions to what was directly shown by the evidence. He seemed to stop short of calling the CFR a conspiracy: rather pointing out that key players in America's Federal government have frequently been drawn from the same small pool of people who overwhelmingly have historically been desirous of unified world government. With a subset of those in the financial world in seeking large government as leading to more loan opportunities.

Karl Popper said "A theory that explains everything, explains nothing". This book bites off a lot, and a few times I thought the author tried to fit something into the pattern that might not fit. The shooting down of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 & killing the foremost critic of communism and the CFA might just be an amazing coincidence, though it is understandable why this author would take a different view.

I am also not sure that the new Federal Reserve's actions that had a hand in bringing about & sustaining the 1929 crash were not just shocking incompetence. Though the author did add some data points that I hadn't previously been aware of.

On the other hand, this book did offer a plausible and well-supported explanation for several data points that have been mysterious to me for a while:
1. After WW2, why did the US send back to Stalin the Russians who had expressly surrendered to US servicemen so they would not be sent back to Russia where an awful fate awaited them? See Solzhenitsyn's Gulag Archipelago where it is clear that the US was well aware of what they were doing and acted deceptively to deliver these thousands of people to Stalin. Truly a shameful event in US history.
2. After WW2, why did General Marshall insist that Chiang Kai-Shek form a coalition government with the Communists and prevent Kai-Shek from seizing an ammunition dump ahead of the Communists and withhold supplies from him when he refused?
3. In the Korean War, why were US forces apparently caught so unaware by the Chinese entry into the war?
4. Why did Ronald Reagan increase the size & reach & debt of the US Federal government? This seems counter to his conservative reputation
5. Why did George W. Bush increase the size & reach & debt of the US Federal government? Though after the book's publication, he was the first US president I was really politically engaged with and I was really surprised that a president from the "conservative" side brought about things like the "No Child Left Behind" expansion of the Dept of Education. This book made similar points about actions from Eisenhower's & Nixon's administrations.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book for your consideration. Some of the author's predictions haven't panned out: I think the Soviet state's collapse caught nearly everyone off-guard. But the general trend over 100 years towards larger Federal government even though most people want less makes it plausible that there are influential people coordinating towards that end. When a candidate runs on a small-government platform and then delivers more federal government after they win, does that just point towards power corrupting or them lying or a coordinated effort to falsely portray a candidate or what?

[Kaberoi Rua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is especially unique because it not only describes scores of underreported events, but elucidates them by showing their common thread: the influence of the internationalist Establishment of the United States. This is not just a book about an organization. It is a book about history. You might call it "the other side of American history because it tells the "other side" of many stories that even the self-proclaimed inside information specialists, such as Jack Anderson and Bob Woodard, didn't or wouldn't report. According to the American Heritage Dictionary the word "establishment" as "an exclusive group of powerful people who rule a government or society by means of private agreements and decisions." Columnist Edith Kermit Roosevelt, granddaughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, described it as follows:


The word "Establishment" is a general term for the power elite in international finance, business, the professions and government, largely from the northeast, who weild most of the power regardless of who is in the White House. Most people are unaware of the existence of this "legitimate Mafia." Yet the power of the Establishment makes itself felt from the professor who seeks a foundation grant, to the candidate for a cabinet post or State Department job. It affects the nation's policies in almost every area.

I highly recommend this book. A critically urgent read for every American.

There is something behind the throne greater than the king himself - Sir Willima Pitt

The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes - Benjamin Disraeli

The real rulers in Washington are invisible and exercise power from behind the scenes - Felix Frankfurter, justice of U.S. Supreme Court

[Lee Carney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book from a 2nd hand bookshop back in 1997, a friend of mine was good friends at University in Melbourne with a girl who was the daughter of, or maybe the girlfriend of the son of (I can't remember exactly) the guy who ran Petronas, as in the Petronas Towers in Malysia, when he went on holiday with them back to Malaysia he took that book to read and happened to mention it to the father (as in CEO/President of Petronas) and he was very interested in the book and my friend gave it to him, so weirdly a book I bought for $2 in a second hand book shop now sits on the top floor of Petronas towers in the small library that he has in his office (i used to have a photo of it sitting there)

Because of that mans role in Malaysian society and contacts with the leadership of the country, i often wonder if that book I bought for $2 in a 2nd hand bookshop has led to foreign policy decisions or thinking in Malaysian society or the decisions made by Petronas when signing contracts with either the West or the Wests enemies.... probably not, but its fun to think about

[Leon Laffredo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is scary, the things that the elitist, international banking and globalist individuals have done t0o this nation, without the vast majority ever knowing. Given what is covered, with ample documentation referenced, it is hard to say this was a good read, but it certainly was enlightening.

Not a spoiler exactly, but I have, since the late 80's, been a Reagan fan. After reading this book, I am torn. I still greatly appreciate those things he stood for, but now being aware of those other things he allowed behind the scenes, it was difficult to read.

The CFR, is not an agency for good, for Americans or this nation. If you are not already familiar with the organization, or some of its peripheral organizations, and you support this nation, I suggest you start looking into them.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, disturbing, grievous, well documented, readable. A very different interpretation of 20th century history than what I was taught in public school. I’m reminded that the first to speak often appears to be right until another brings his account. My heart is heavy as I am confronted with evidence that American leaders acted to bring about regime changes that have resulted in the oppression, torture, and deaths of untold numbers. An important topic to consider as these powers continue to operate in our present day. Not a conspiracy...just folks acting out of their worldview. The book serves to bring balance to the historical narrative put forth by the mainstream.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! This is a fantastic work, well researched and rich with information. It is a book both Left and Right must have in common; we are set against each other to destabilize our country for the benefit of an elite oligarchy. Names names, and a lot of photos... We must know the truth before we can fight for the USA effectively. Recommended to every high school student and every American. Masterpiece.

[Sir Badgerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic on "The Power Behind the Throne," so to speak. I wish I had read this years ago. A very revealing, yet introductory book about the Council on Foreign Relations and their ill deeds. I like that it wasn't TOO comprehensive like some other books on the topic as this is a book I could recommend as an intro to someone new to the information within.

Whoever sees this review, I urge you to READ THIS BOOK!!! You will not be disappointed.

[John Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a good analysis on the impact the "Council on Foreign Relations" has had on US foreign policy and the shaping of our nation. The conspiracy aspect may not be as clear, but there is certainly a correlation between membership with the CFR and governmental influence.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Ross Leavitt]

On page 167