John Perkins's Hoodwinked examines the 2008 global financial crisis, arguing that it stemmed from a predatory form of capitalism promoted by figures like Milton Friedman. The book details Perkins's past career as an "economic hit man," manipulating Third World countries into debt, and connects this to the U.S.'s economic downfall. Perkins explores the role of deregulation, corporate greed, and the media in exacerbating the crisis, contrasting this with more sustainable economic models found in places like China and Ecuador. He proposes a new economic path focused on social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and a shift away from materialism. The book concludes by advocating for individual and societal action to achieve a just and peaceful future.