The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program that Shaped Our World explores hidden history surrounding violent acts supported by the United States. In 1965, the U.S. government aided the Indonesian military in the mass killing of around one million innocent civilians. This key event marked a significant shift in the twentieth century, eliminating the largest communist party outside of China and the Soviet Union. It inspired similar violent actions in other countries, such as Brazil and Chile. Despite its importance, these events are often overlooked, largely due to the successful secrecy of CIA interventions.

Vincent Bevins draws on his reporting for the Washington Post, recent declassified documents, and extensive archival research. He also includes testimonies from witnesses across twelve countries to uncover a shocking global legacy. For years, people believed that many parts of the developing world smoothly transitioned into the capitalist system led by the U.S. However, The Jakarta Method reveals that the extreme violence against unarmed leftists played a crucial role in Washington's achievements during the Cold War. This bold and thorough history invites readers to confront a past that still shapes the world today.