The Profiteers
Bechtel and the Men Who Built the World
By Sally Denton
2016
The Reagan era history is just now being compiled and 'The Profiteers' by Sally Dentonis a solid contribution into the emerging canon of the period. The 'Shock Doctrine' by Naomi Klein and 'Subersives' by Seth Rosenfeld among others outline the international and domestic control strategies of these modern masters. The privately held Bechtel corporate 'person' is first among these oligarchs and their corporate socialist no bid construction business did, in fact, build the world from their American West roots.
This history begins with 'Dad' Bechtel and his humble beginnings, but the most important part of the story begins with Bechtel executives George Schultz, Reagan's Secretary of State and Caspar Weinberger, Reagan's Secretary of Defense. Although Bechtel operates throughout the word the Middle East story is most important, to an even greater extent than the fresher domains of Vice President Dick Cheney and Haliburton.
Denton does a superb job at documenting the history of this private corporation, its merits and its failings, which are becoming all the more apparent - and imperative to address.
And with any luck that new future will also be built in the American West.
Here's the New York Times Review.
