Convincing argument but misses the most important targets?

This is a convincing narrative about a fundamentally corrupt individual who then - through lavish donations- seeks to re-present himself as one of the great and the good.
However interesting and important that may be, I was more concerned about what it says about the venality and corruptibility of British institutions? Did prince Charles really prostitute himself so cheaply, pimped by his wife’s nephew Ben Elliott? Did the Conservative Party so readily accept such large donations knowing that in at least one case he was not a legitimate donor?

It is not only sad that such behaviour goes on but also that nobody seems to challenge it. Would a different government be better? I hoe so. We need limits on how much individuals can donate to political parties. Corruption not only damages the countries where the bribes are given. It also corrupts the countries where they are spent.

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Compelling and nauseating

A terrible indictment of where Britain has ended up and the enablers who are responsible. Bravo Tom Burgis for shedding some light on the grubby goings-on. A compelling read for anyone interested in ensuring they don't keep getting away with it.

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Tom Burgess - The Jedi Master of Perception Management.

I cannot imagine a more elegant way to write about the most mind-blowing corrupting force at the heart of the establishment, A figure that cuts a most erroding figure driving a coach and horses through our fragile constitutional monarchy, any notion of 'good chaps' being enough ( as if), then eviscerates trust & the social contract..

All roads do I believe, lead back to him.

Carly Simon once sang

" youre so vain you probably think this song is about, your so vain.....
you pobbly think this song is about ya don't cha, don't cha"

The chefs kiss here
is Amersi thinks this book is all about him.
in reality , he's not ' that ' special.
He is NOT the story.

xxx

it's elegant. well done you.

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Wow!

Interesting and informative view on the wealthy and how they at times abuse their position. Great listen. Thank you

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Cakeism

In "Cuckooland," Tom Burgis offers a riveting exploration of a world where the affluent and powerful manipulate reality to their advantage, presenting a narrative that is both urgent and timely. This work, stemming from the author acclaimed for "Kleptopia," delves into the murky depths where truth becomes a commodity that can be bought and sold by the highest bidder.

Burgis's journey is both expansive and intimate, tracing a path through diverse and often dangerous locales—from the power corridors of the Kremlin to the secretive realms of Kathmandu, and from the bloodied squares of Uzbekistan to the secluded retreats of Scottish royalty. His pursuit of the story behind "Cuckooland" reveals a complex network of oligarchs, shadowy financiers, and complicit Western elites, all woven into a narrative that challenges the reader's understanding of truth and power.

At the heart of "Cuckooland" lies a chilling revelation: the lords of this metaphorical land are not just reshaping reality to fit their whims but are also dictating the boundaries of our knowledge and understanding. The book serves as a testament to the dangers posed by the convergence of globalisation and technological advancement, threatening the democratic ideal that truth should be accessible to all, not just the privileged few.

Cuckooland is a masterful examination of the contemporary battleground over truth, told with an urgency and a flair for storytelling that makes it a must-read. It is a sobering reminder of the fragility of truth in the face of power and a compelling narrative that holds a mirror to our times.

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1 person found this helpful

A compelling and anxiety-provoking story of the mess our national politics has turned into

It is short and sharply focussed,written with style and plenty of humour. The venality, vanity and vapidity of the British ruling class are exposed.

The butler service pandering to the whims of the over-monied run by the Queen's nephew, Ben Elliott, for several recent years chairman of the Conservative Party, is perhaps the most disquieting disclosure of the book. There isn't anything secret in it but it is curious that there isn't greater public awareness of such a dubious way of making money. Or maybe it's just me, and everyone else already knows how low our standards have sunk. The gangster-sized fortunes accumulated by legal but immoral plundering of countries like Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are shocking but maybe not surprising, but seeing flashy and dodgy schemes so close to the heart of power in the UK is uncomfortable.

The toilet-tongued Amersi falls somewhat short of his profile on the Amersi Foundation website as "a renowned global communications entrepreneur, philanthropist and thought leader". What we see is closer to a spiv who has accumulated a fortune by unscrupulous means and now craves limelight and public recognition. This he sees as his entitlement having paid over lots of cash to the powerful. In the current climate it's not hard to see why he could reasonably expect to achieve it.

A sobering and depressing read, but that's down to the subject and not the writing. We should be grateful that the integrity and determination shown by Tom Burgis provide a basis for hope that the situation might change. Maybe even for the better...

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Brilliant read!

Its terrifying how rich and powerful you can get by just being a simple conman. Very depressing to think our leaders are hanging around with such a childish idiot…

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The Privatisation of Reality is now!

Urgent, disturbing yet entertainingly written book of the privatisation of reality, corruption and kleptocracy and how it’s already well established.

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Essential reading for anyone looking for an account of how the UK is being held to ransom by foreign actors

Fascinating and well told story of how a foreign born shady deal maker uses UK law to re write his own history while intimidating our very own government with its own institutions. We should support journalism like this

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A cautionary tale

Another detailed investigation into how the world works for those who are rich enough. Another stain on Britain and its reliance on ‘dirty’ money.

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