If you believe that capitalism is fundamentally a force for good, that excessive taxation is a blight on economic growth and a sure sign of bad government, that over-exuberance in the financial world can be restrained by cooperation between governments and global institutions, and that the fine traditions of the City coupled with an innate British sense of straight dealing make London the best place in the world to do business, then I strongly recommend you not to read this book. It will upset you too much.

Nicholas Shaxson is a journalist whose starting point is a special expertise in Africa. Watching the interactions of Western banks and governments with deeply corrupt African leaders has jaundiced his view of global