In Looted, veteran correspondent Donald Kirk cuts through the mystique of democracy that has shrouded the Philippines since the American withdrawal from its military bases there in 1991 and 1992, and he reveals the corruption that exists beneath the surface. Making use of his extensive first-hand knowledge of the region, Kirk recounts the drama of one of history's greatest volcanic eruptions as just the beginning of a period of looting and exploitation. He provides details and revelations of the Philippine role in the stripdown of Clark Air Base and the subversion of Subic Bay to serve the purposes of one ambitious politician, and he offers a disturbing analysis of the efforts to resolve Muslim and communist revolt. At the same time, he looks ahead to the promise - and danger - on new frontiers to the south and west. A provocative look at an often unexamined country, Looted is a stirring account that allows the reader to feel like a eyewitness to the events which it analyzes.

DONALD KIRK has been a correspondent in Asia since 1965, in places ranging from Vietnam to China, Japan and Korea, to Indonesia and the Philippines. He has written books on Vietnam and Korea and continues to serve as a freelance journalist. He lives in Washington, DC.