Murder Incorporated - America's Favorite Pastime

Overview

Just as the lives of slaves and Indigenous peoples paid for the early growth of the new American nation, so too were lives sacrificed to advance the expansion of empire in the 20th century. Book Two in this epic three-part series is a damning account of war—and the selling of war in America—revealing how riches, imperial expansion, and the consolidation of power have been the true aim of American wars and covert actions, both at home and abroad. The seeds of exceptionalism and divine entitlement, whose planting is detailed in Book One: Dreaming of Empire, yield Book Two: America's Favorite Pastime and the nightmarish side of the American Century.

Reviews

"This is an angry book. The anger is unsparing, incisive and often eloquent. The recasting of rampant American power as that of a world Mafioso is long overdue, and Mumia Abu-Jamal and Stephen Vittoria speak for so many with this bracing counterattack. Read and mark what they say; it is urgent."  —John Pilger, Award-Winning Journalist & Filmmaker

"This book pulls no punches. It is a must-read for all who seek the unvarnished, albeit painful, truth about the history of the United States."  —Marjorie Cohn, Professor Emerita, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, author, Cowboy Republic: Six Ways the Bush Gang Has Defied the Law

"Murder Incorporated is a searing, must-read for anyone wanting to know the roots, guts, and machinery of the American Empire Project from its very beginning. Having reported from the front-lines of empire in Iraq for more than a year and seen first-hand the blood-thirsty, rapacious nature of this insidious project of global conquest, this book pulls no punches in truth-telling that we need today, more than ever before. I cannot recommend it highly enough."  —Dahr Jamail, journalist, author, Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq

"With rising levels of white supremacy and presidential bombast, there is no better time than now to read a book such as this."  —Sonali Kolhatkar, journalist, author, Host of Rising Up with Sonali

"The book's construction is insanely original, like nothing you've ever read, devoid of Lefty cant.  It's excruciating—as the authors simply let America embarrass itself.  Events and eras are gouged open and revealed, sometimes in just one or two sentences. But that's all that's needed to give you what the authors call, 'the grim, black and white meat-hook of reality.' Wow."  —Greg Palast, A Puffin Foundation fellow in investigative reporting, author of the New York Times bestseller The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

"Conveyed with poetic rhythm and soulful shouts their thorough research grabs us and reminds us that we can only go forward if we debride the festering wounds slashed into this land by greed and a false sense of white, male superiority."  —Jewelle Gomez, Author & Activist

"A powerful and profoundly illuminating analysis of the myth and the reality of American history, a story of expansion through murder.  Well-written and persuasively argued.  I strongly recommend it."  —Dr. James H. Cone, Bill & Judith Moyers Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology, Union Theological Seminary

"Mumia and Stephen have mastered the art of communicating clearly and in depth the essence of the American Decadent Empire. Murder Incorporated tells the truth and nothing but the truth."  —Emory Douglas, Political and Social Justice Artist

Author Biography

Mumia Abu-Jamal is an award-winning journalist. He spent more than 28 years on death row for allegedly killing a white police officer in Philadelphia. Despite his three-decade imprisonment, most of which was spent in solitary confinement on Death Row, Abu-Jamal has relentlessly fought for his freedom and for his profession. He is the author of nine books, including Death Blossoms and Live from Death Row, and thousands of radio commentaries. Stephen Vittoria is a film director and producer. His documentary films include Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal and One Bright Shining Moment: The Forgotten Summer of George McGovern. He lives in Los Angeles, California. S. Brian Willson is a is a Vietnam veteran (Captain, USAF), peace activist, and attorney. He has been a lifelong advocate for human rights and a defiant force against U.S. imperialism and America's murderous wars. He lives in New York. David Swanson is an antiwar activist and author. He co-founded War is a Crime.org (formerly After Downing Street). He has authored numerous books including War is a Lie and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize numerous times. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.