The Looting Machine: Warlords, Oligarchs, Corporations, Smugglers, and the Theft of Africa's Wealth [Paperback]

An “impressive” (Wall Street Journal) exposé of  twenty-first century individuals and companies who have become obscenely rich from the resource trade in Africa

Africa is the world’s poorest continent and, arguably, its richest. InThe Looting Machine, Tom Burgis takes readers on a gripping journey into the world of the magnates and militiamen, the despots and jet-setting executives who gorge on Africa’s vast stocks of oil, gas, metals, and precious stones. Combining deep reporting with an action-packed narrative, Burgis presents a blistering investigation of the plunder of a continent and the terrible human toll.Tom Burgisis an award-winning investigative reporter and bestselling author. Before becoming a member of theGuardian’s investigative team, he was a foreign correspondent in South America and Africa. His most recent book wasKleptopia. He lives in London.Winner of an Overseas Press Club Award and a Jerwood AwardAFinancial TimesBest Book of the YearA great scrapbook of exploitation. It is written in a way that will appeal to the general reader, but still interest specialists. . . . [Burgis] has done a service to some of the worlds poorest people. The Financial TimesA brave, defiant book. The New York Times[An] impressive study& It is to Mr. Burgiss tremendous credit that he writes with such tenacity. The Wall Street Journal[Burgis] presents a lively portrait of the rapacious looting machine . . . A rich collage of examples showing the links between corrupt companies and African elites. The Economist[Burgis] brings the tools of an investigative reporter and the sensibility of a foreign correspondent. [He] transcends the tired binary debate about the root causes of the continents misery. Foreign AffairsA rollercl3