Very Bad People
The Inside Story of the Fight Against the World’s Network of Corruption
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Very Bad People
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Narrated by:
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Richard Burnip
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By:
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Patrick Alley
About this listen
'Reads like a John le Carré novel but is, in fact, very real.' - The Big Issue
'Very Bad People would be a hugely enjoyable thriller if it wasn't all true.' - Isabella Tree, author of Wilding
'Global Witness are fearless.' - Gordon Roddick, Campaigner and Co-Founder of the Body Shop
'Part true crime tale, part investigative procedural, this is the account of the brilliant and necessary superheroes of Global Witness, whose superpower is the truth.' - Edward Zwick, Director of Blood Diamond
'Very Bad People reads like a non-stop high-speed chase as our fighters against corruption hunt down a litany of criminals and con-men, some on the fringes of our society, some embedded high up within it. It's a great story and an important one.' - David Farr, Screenwriter, The Night Manager
'The story told in this book of three youthful idealists who go from eating cold baked beans in a drafty London flat to the Thai-Cambodian border where they posed as traders in illegally felled timber is simply riveting. Don't miss it.' - Misha Glenny, author of McMafia
'Alley has produced a clear-eyed account of a world poisoned by dark money, and a welcome reminder that resistance is possible. As it turns out, his book is even more timely than he could have hoped.' - Irish Times
'This book is inspirational. It shows how young people with sufficient passion and intelligence have the capacity to go after some of the most powerful governments and corporations and shame, humiliate and just push governments to support important reforms that can make this a more decent world.' - Frank Vogl, Co-Founder of Transparency International
Arms trafficking, offshore accounts and luxury property deals. Super-yachts, private jets and super-car collections. Blood diamonds, suspect oil deals, deforestation and murder. This is the world of Global Witness, the award-winning organisation dedicated to rooting out worldwide corruption. And this is co-founder Patrick Alley's revealing inside track on a breath-taking catalogue of modern super-crimes - and the 'shadow network' that enables them.
VERY BAD PEOPLE is about following the money, going undercover in the world's most dangerous places, and bringing down the people behind the crimes. Case by case we see maverick investigators pitched against warlords, grifters and super-villains who bear every resemblance to The Night Manager's Richard Roper. One dictator's son spent $700 million in just four years on his luxury lifestyle.
As they unravel crooked deals of labyrinthine complexity, the team encounter well-known corporations whose operations are no less criminal than the Mafia. This network of lawyers, bankers and real estate agents help park dirty money in London, New York, or in offshore accounts, safe from prying eyes.
Patrick Alley's book is a brilliant, authoritative and fearless investigation into the darkest workings of our world - and an inspiration to all of us who want to fight back.
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What listeners say about Very Bad People
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 03-05-22
Wow
What a great story. An eye opening look in to worldwide corruption. The audio book is perfect, interesting and delivered so well. So impressed I bought the book as well.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Maria Hjukström
- 10-09-23
Enraging and engaging
Well written and engaging account of the battle against corruption the world over. Leaves you enraged by all the “very bad people” out there, but hopefully also leaves you wanting to take action against it all. 10/10 would recommend.
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- K Farragher
- 29-08-22
Inspiring
At least someone is getting results against the tide of corruption. Interesting to see how the review of our current government would be?
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2 people found this helpful
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- Megan
- 21-12-22
Interesting and disturbing stories, but some questionable economics
Upsetting stories about environmental degradation, corruption and murder of activists. And bravery and resourcefulness of Global Witness workers. A really good listen, well narrated by the reader.
I worry what is written in the epilogue though. It seems that the author sees Capitalism itself as his enemy. And he seems to think that Capitalism implies exploitation of every last ounce of Earth’s resources and that continued economic growth implies complete eventual depletion of Earth’s resources. I believe this shows ignorance of economics. And I note that communist and socialist countries have been some of the worst polluters and most corrupt societies. I hope readers will see that just because the author has moral power on his side, it does not mean he is correct about the role of Capitalism in the degradation of our natural environment and in corruption.
I also worry that GW seems to have strayed into the problems of social media in its work. This suggests to me that they may have lost their way.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Asta Rootsi
- 13-01-23
Inspiring
Corruption is indeed at the heart of so many contemporary issues and it is inspiring that some organisations manage to achieve so much in changing this dark and murky world.
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- Iwona
- 28-12-22
Scary
The narrative is adequate to the seriousness of the subject and I enjoyed listening to it
I was aware of the blood diamonds trade and other shady deals but I didn’t know it was up to Global Witness to reveal all these associations up to the surface
Highly recommend
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- Chris N.
- 30-10-22
Listen to this!
Readable because of it's intrigue/adventure/detective story nature but also informative. Gives an insight into the dark world we live in; But also inspired with hope.
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- Neil Green
- 14-02-23
Great book
Should be read by everybody.A description of the on going battle between Global witness and corrupt corporations.
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- Ginger
- 21-06-22
Everyone, everywhere should read this book
Huge thanks to Patrick Alley for writing this book. I found it engaging. It made me angry, it made me cry sometimes and I hope Mr Spielberg makes a film of the book. For the first time in my life, I have questioned my belief that I would “leave the world without hurting anyone” personal vision. I wish I could go back 25 years. I’d find these guys and lead an altogether different life. A must read for me.
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1 person found this helpful
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- M. THOMAS
- 23-07-22
Excellent. Well written true crime
Excellent completely riveting book. This chronicle of greed and corruption which reads as easily as a John Le Carre thriller will horrify & surprise you even as you admire the bravery & determination of the team at Global Witness. It reminds us of how complicit we all are.
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