War Is a Racket: And Other Essential Truths from General Smedley Butler

Includes a new introduction by Kristofer Goldsmith, the nation's most recognized authority on the targeting of American troops and veterans with disinformation and extremist recruiting efforts.

Updated with fresh material, this edition brings the prophetic warnings of the 2-time Medal of Honor recipient to a new generation.

"A short, blunt, and extremely vigorous blast." --The New York Times

Smedley Butler, a retired Marine Corps major general and the most decorated combat veteran of his era, is best known today for War is a Racket (1935), a searing anti-war, anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism critique of U.S. military interventionism that has remained perennially in-print and is as relevant today as ever.

This new collection features additional writings that underscore Butler's role as a staunch advocate for veterans' rights and a fearless defender of democracy. In addition to his 1933 call-to-action, "You've Got to Get Mad," this volume includes his explosive 1934 testimony before the McCormack-Dickstein Committee. There, Butler exposed "The Business Plot"--a conspiracy by a group of Wall Street and other powerful figures that sought to convince Butler to use his influence over disgruntled veterans to seize control of the federal government and install a fascist regime.

With America's present day military activity more closely tied to corporate profits and the enrichment of its leaders than ever, Butler's insightful breakdown of the military-industrial complex remains highly resonant. Featuring a new introduction from combat veteran and advocate Kristofer Goldsmith, this edition is an essential resource for anyone looking to build their antifascist toolkit.

Author: Smedley Butler
Publisher: Steerforth Press
Published: 09/22/2026
Pages: 160
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.25lbs
Size: 6.21h x 4.31w x 0.61d
ISBN: 9781586424626

About the Author
Smedley Butler, a retired Marine Corp major general who was one of the most decorated combat veterans of his time, is best known today for War is a Racket (1935), an anti-war, anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism critique of US military interventionism that has remained perennially in-print and is as relevant today as ever.

Kristofer Goldsmith is an investigator, writer, founder, and Iraq combat veteran who studies disinformation and domestic extremist movements. Kristofer takes an unconventional approach to fighting America's homegrown fascist organizations and protecting our democracy.