War is a Racket

War Is a Racket is a classic short treatise by Major General Smedley D. Butler, one of the most decorated U.S. Marines in American history, turned outspoken critic of war. Drawing on his 34-year military career and firsthand experience in conflicts from the Caribbean to World War I, Butler delivers a powerful critique of how modern wars are driven not by noble ideals but by economic interests that profit from conflict.
In this concise but thought-provoking audiobook, Butler argues that war has become a “racket” — a business that enriches corporations, bankers, and industrialists while ordinary citizens and soldiers bear the costs in blood, money, and loss. Through clear language and sharp insight, he explores why wars are fought, who makes the profits, and who pays the bills, and he even lays out practical steps to dismantle the war racket.
This unflinching examination of war’s economic drivers remains strikingly relevant decades after its first publication in 1935, making it a compelling listen for anyone seeking to understand the forces behind global conflict.