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

I am most impressed with Perloff's research. If you want just one book to gain an understanding of what is left out in most history books concerning the CFR, this is it. Reviews accusing Perloff of engaging in conspiracy-baiting are inaccurate to say the least. I recently used this book extensively in constructing the lecture notes for a unit in my U.S. Gov't. classes. As a teacher committed to telling the truth, as opposed to pushing textbook propaganda, I find Perloff's book to be an extremely valuable resource. Also recommended: "Wall Street, Banks & U.S. Foreign Policy" by Murray N. Rothbard "America: Freedom to Fascism" (DVD)

Perloff's Shadows of Power is a fact based account of the real power behind the American political system. The CFR (Council on Foriegn Relations), an invitation only organization, is the North American sister organization of the RIIA (Royal Institute of International Affairs). The CFR, with David C. Rockefeller as it's Honorary Chairman, permeates the highest levels of government (Current members include Dick Cheney, Condaleeza Rice, Teddy Kennedy, Bill Frist, Colin Powell, Bush Sr., Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Henry Kissinger, John McCain, John Kerry and the list goes on and on). Media organizations and their highest ups like Rupert Murdoch, Catherine Graham (Washington Post) and all of his media empire (Fox News etc.) as well as reporters like Barbara Walters etc. are also members. And as Perloff makes clear, the organizations goal is to create a one world elitist government. Once you read and digest the facts that Perloff presents in an orderly fashion, it becomes clear that we are being led down a primrose path by a group of insiders connected to the international banking community and very high level power brokers who keep a low profile and operate in the shadows (Hence, shadows of power.). This book is not about Conspiracy Theory. It is about Conspiracy facts. If you want to peek behind the curtain of power or can't make sense of the moves of our politicians, this book will begin to clear the haze of confusion for you. I would also recommend a companion book by John McManus- The Insiders which provides a current list of CFR members. Good overview of the CFR and Tri Lateral Commission that takes you through each Presidency since Carter and traces the CFR members and their moves. It also provides a list of current members which serves as a nice reference while watching TV, etc. Once you understand the motives of this organization, it allows you to see through the hidden messages being conveyed by the media and through current legislation. I would also suggest 2 books that will significantly clarify the power of economic control and how it is being used to control our lives. One is Edward G. Griffins- The Creature from Jekyll Island which is about the orgin and operations of the Federal Reserve System. (Not Federal, has no reserves and is a cartel of private banks not a system.) Reading this book is like taking the blue pill instead of the red one as was offered to Neo in the first matrix movie. You will never again look at our government in the same way. Again based upon well documented fact, not theory. The second book is again from John McManus entitled Financial Terrorism and it is also a fact based book on money and economics that is a clearly written yet easily understood (as is Griffins book) expose of how our money system has been corrupted into the hands of internation bankers and power brokers. There are more, but if you read these 4 books you will be light years ahead of most private citizens in their understanding of what i

The people we vote into office are the ones who govern us, right? We are a constitutional republic, right? We are a representative democracy, right? If you think so, think again. For many years, an idea has circulated that what we see is not necessarily what we are getting; that there may be a "man behind the curtain" running the show. In this book, James Perloff reveals who that "man" may be ... or more accurately whom the men and women are who really run the show. Before reading this book, I often scoffed at the conspiracists who railed against the invisible forces of the "Shadow Government." However, I am no longer certain that my doubts are well founded. In this book, Perloff makes a well-documented case that suggests an undercurrent to abolish the nation/state (national sovereignty) and to replace it with one-world-government New World Order. Those responsible for creating and maintaining the undercurrent are members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Trilateral Commission (TC). Members of these organizations have had a disproportionate representation in places of power over the last sixty years. When one understands the philosophy and goals of these organizations, many seemingly disjoint events of American history begin to make sense. No American should take this subject lightly. Every American has a responsibility to inform themselves on such matters. I recommend that they do so by reading this book.

The book is a very compelling read. The listing of CFR members in the back is quite enlightening too! A 'man of the people' will NEVER rise to the presidency. Even if he has his own money, the 'shadow government' controls the mass media, and thereby profoundly affect candidacies.Being a republican, I always had a high opinion of President Reagan. The author shows clearly how Reagan's actions did not match his rhetoric. This was not unique to Reagan, either. The average American doesn't understand how our President's policies are shaped by people outside the 'constiutional government'.This book has 'the other side' of American history of the 20th century, and it's nothing like you or I learned in school! This is, of course, by design. Read this book, and encourage others to do so -- it's the only way we, as ordinary people, can begin to take back our country.

This book could be titled " Suppressed American History of the 20th Century." Perloff traces the history of the American Establishment, through its political arm, the Council on Foreign Relations. The aims of the CFR and the Establishment are clear - a World Government, removal of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. What is more frightening is the Establishment control of the media and education. Please read this book! You will never watch the news the same way again.