Under the rule of Saddam Hussein, the prison of Abu Ghraib (the Father of the Raven) was a place of ill omen, notorious for horrific suffering and torture and mass executions. After the invasion of Iraq, the U.S. military made Abu Ghraib one of the major detention centers for Iraqis suspected of sympathizing with the resistance. The revelations since April 2004 of systematic torture and sexual humiliation of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib have not easily been assimilated into the mythology of the U.S. "war on terror."

The Language of Empire focuses on the response to these revelations in the U.S. media, in congress, and in the larger context of U.S. global politics and ideology. Its focus on the media is a prelude to showing how the language of multiculturalism, humanitarianism, and even feminism have been hijacked in the cause of an illegal and brutal imperialist war.

The media have colluded with the Bush administration in manipulating images of the U.S. occupation of Iraq in such a way as to present it as a clash between civilization and barbarism, and in selectively using legal and procedural issues to distract from the basic criminality of the invasion itself. The circuitous logic through which U.S. imperialism presents itself as a defender of legality and democracy is exposed for all to see in this important and timely work.

Praise for "Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets"

"This book strikes at the center of conventional wisdom. It is brilliant, deep, and fun to read."
--Nicholas Nassim Taleb, author of the legendary investment classic, "Fooled by Randomness," and the recent bestseller on probability, "The Black Swan"

"As fun to read as it is thought-provoking and filled with fascinating insights into how the world really works. It will teach you a proper skepticism as to what we are told by the mainstream media."
--John Mauldin, President, Millennium Wave Advisors, LLC author of the "New York Times" bestsellers, "Bull's Eye Investing and Just One Thing"

"Learn about Fed bubbles and make Ben Bernanke unhappy: read this book."
--Lew Rockwell, President, the Ludwig von Mises Institute

"A cock-eyed, frolicking hell of a read."
--Dr. Mark Skousen, Professor of Economics and Editor, "The Worldly Philosophers"

"I laughed aloud, I learned, and I was even offended. Behind the crafty writing, the authors share the deeper secrets of investing and push us to question what we believe. 'Think for yourself!' this book screams."
--Steve Sjuggerud, Editor, "True Wealth," one of the world's most widely read investment letters

"Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets is one of the funniest and most entertaining books I have ever read. A classic for the student of the current period in history. If I had to name just one book investors should read, this is the one I would select."
--Dr. Marc Faber, world-famous contrarian guru, author of the bestseller, "Tomorrow's Gold," and Editor of the maverick "Gloom Boom & Doom Report"

"Entertainingly and irreverently investigates the 'do-gooders' and'world-improvers' who stir up mass hysteria, unjustified wars, and financial crises, while at the same time it warns readers how to better protect themselves and their pocketbooks."
--Ron Paul, Congressman and Presidential candidate

Under the rule of Saddam Hussein, the prison of Abu Ghraib (the Father of the Raven) was a place of ill omen, notorious for horrific suffering and torture and mass executions. After the invasion of Iraq, the U.S. military made Abu Ghraib one of the major detention centers for Iraqis suspected of sympathizing with the resistance. The revelations since April 2004 of systematic torture and sexual humiliation of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib have not easily been assimilated into the mythology of the U.S. "war on terror."

The Language of Empire focuses on the response to these revelations in the U.S. media, in congress, and in the larger context of U.S. global politics and ideology. Its focus on the media is a prelude to showing how the language of multiculturalism, humanitarianism, and even feminism have been hijacked in the cause of an illegal and brutal imperialist war.

The media have colluded with the Bush administration in manipulating images of the U.S. occupation of Iraq in such a way as to present it as a clash between civilization and barbarism, and in selectively using legal and procedural issues to distract from the basic criminality of the invasion itself. The circuitous logic through which U.S. imperialism presents itself as a defender of legality and democracy is exposed for all to see in this important and timely work.

An insightful look at how to succeed by going "against" the crowd

Collectively, people think and act in ways that are different from how they think and act as individuals. Understanding these differences, says William (Bill) Bonner-a longtime maverick observer of the financial world and the vagaries of the investing public-is vital to preserving your wealth and personal dignity. From the witch-hunts of the early modern world to the war on terror, from dot-com mania to the real estate bubble, people have always been caught up in frauds, conceits, and wild guesses-often with devastating results. In "Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets, " Bonner and coauthor Lila Rajiva show groupthink at work in an improbable array of instances throughout history and reveal why swimming against the current pays.Shares the deeper secrets of investing and pushes you to question what this means for your financial well-beingExplains why people so often abandon good sense and good behavior to "follow the crowd"Offers concrete advice on how you can avoid the "public spectacle" of modern finance

The authors' cautionary tale of bubble economies reveals how the gush of credit let loose by Alan Greenspan has wreaked havoc on our lives-but their thoughtful and always entertaining approach also offers some sound investing principles for avoiding the pitfalls of the public spectacle, thinking for yourself, and protecting your money, your sanity, and your soul.