War Is a Racket

This text comprises excerpts from Brigadier General Smedley Butler's book, War Is a Racket, along with related essays and speeches. Butler, a highly decorated Marine, exposes war as a profitable enterprise for a select few, contrasting the immense profits of industrialists and bankers with the devastating losses suffered by soldiers. He recounts his own experiences, highlighting the corruption and profiteering he witnessed during his military career. The introduction by Jesse Ventura emphasizes the book's enduring relevance and connects Butler's critique to contemporary issues of war profiteering. Included are several of Butler's other writings that elaborate on his anti-war stance, veteran's rights, and his opposition to the influence of wealthy elites on war policy