Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical RightNATIONAL BESTSELLER ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR Who are the immensely wealthy right-wing ideologues shaping the fate of America today? From the bestselling author of The Dark Side, an electrifying work of investigative journalism that uncovers the agenda of this powerful group. In her new preface, Jane Mayer discusses the results of the most recent election and Donald Trump's victory, and how, despite much discussion to the contrary, this was a huge victory for the billionaires who have been pouring money in the American political system. Why is America living in an age of profound and widening economic inequality? Why have even modest attempts to address climate change been defeated again and again? Why do hedge-fund billionaires pay a far lower tax rate than middle-class workers? In a riveting and indelible feat of reporting, Jane Mayer illuminates the history of an elite cadre of plutocrats—headed by the Kochs, the Scaifes, the Olins, and the Bradleys—who have bankrolled a systematic plan to fundamentally alter the American political system. Mayer traces a byzantine trail of billions of dollars spent by the network, revealing a staggering conglomeration of think tanks, academic institutions, media groups, courthouses, and government allies that have fallen under their sphere of influence. Drawing from hundreds of exclusive interviews, as well as extensive scrutiny of public records, private papers, and court proceedings, Mayer provides vivid portraits of the secretive figures behind the new American oligarchy and a searing look at the carefully concealed agendas steering the nation. Dark Money is an essential book for anyone who cares about the future of American democracy. National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist LA Times Book Prize Finalist PEN/Jean Stein Book Award Finalist Shortlisted for the Lukas Prize |
Contents
A Koch Family History | |
Richard Mellon Scaife | |
John M Olin and the Bradley Brothers | |
FreeMarket Mayhem | |
FreeMarket Machine | |
Tea Time | |
The Long Road to Citizens United | |
Dark Moneys Midterm Debut 2010 | |
The 2012 Setback | |
Gaining Ground | |
A Better Battle Plan | |
Authors Note | |
The Fossils | |
Other editions - View all
Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the ... Jane Mayer Limited preview - 2017 |
Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the ... Jane Mayer No preview available - 2016 |
Common terms and phrases
according Americans for Prosperity argued Art Pope Bill Bill Koch billionaire Boehner Bradley Foundation budget called campaign campaign-finance candidates Cato Institute Center Charles and David Charles Koch Charles’s Citizens United climate change company’s Congress congressional conservative corporate country’s David Koch Democratic described DeVos donations donors economic election employees environmental family’s federal fight Fink fortune Foundation’s free-market front groups Glenn Beck health-care hedge fund Heritage Foundation Ibid interview with author investigation John John Birch Society Koch Brothers Koch Industries Koch network Koch’s later liberal libertarian million movement National Noble nonprofit North Carolina Obama Olin Foundation operatives organization percent Pope Pope’s president presidential programs radical Republican Party rich right-wing Romney Scaife Scaife’s Senate Sheldon Adelson spending spent state’s summit Tea Party think tanks told vote voters Wall Street Washington Post wealthy Wichita York