At New America, I was assisted over several years by the most remarkable people. Becky Shafer contributed in countless ways, as a friend and colleague, from researching oil refineries and the EPA’s “new source review” process to helping me navigate archival research. Kirsten Berg is one of the most exceptional and diligent reporters I have ever worked with. She unearthed mountains of files on Koch Industries that I never would have found, illuminating everything from US oil policy in the 1970s to Cayman Islands tax schemes in the 2000s. I am so grateful for her help, from the earliest days of the book until the end. Rachel White was a tireless champion for New America and for my work—I won’t ever forget it. Jeff and Cal Leonard were incredibly generous and supportive.
My time at New America was possible thanks to support from the 11th Hour Project of the Schmidt Family Foundation, a nonprofit foundation based in Palo Alto. The foundation funded my work through the new model of nonprofit journalism—providing money to an institution that, like a newsroom, allows reporters to pursue their work without outside interference or influence. In this regard, the team at 11th Hour has been a dream. They hold a long-term view and a visceral understanding of the importance of independent journalism. No one at the 11th Hour Project saw any material for this book as I prepared it, tried to influence it in any way, or sought to steer my inquiries in the slightest degree. I deeply appreciate the total independence. I am so grateful to the leadership team at 11th Hour: Wendy Schmidt, Amy Rao, and Joseph Sciortino. I am deeply indebted to Sarah Bell, an incredible person and an incredible ally. Thank you so much for all the hard work, the support, and the patience. I am also so grateful for the help from Ellyn Peabody, Michael Roberts, Christina Vrachnos, Lauren Davis, Jamie Dean, Melody Gonzales, and Jake Mogan. It has been a joy to know all of you. I am particularly grateful to the other grantees of the 11th Hour project whom I have had the chance to meet—I am inspired by your idealism, your iconoclasm, and your efforts to make the world a better place.
At just the moment when I needed it most, I was given a lifeline from the J. Anthony Lukas Work-In-Progress award in 2017. I am so grateful that such an award exists. Books are vitally important to our public debate, and writing books isn’t possible without grants like the Lukas prize. Thank you for being there to give writers hope and support. Thank you to Jonathan Alter and Ann Marie Lipinski. I am indebted to the prize judges: John Duff, Martha Levin, and Sarah Toubourg. I will not forget that you gave me a chance to complete this book. Thank you so much for your vote of confidence before this book was even finished.
At New America, I benefited tremendously to learn from a lot of people who are way smarter than I am. Lina Khan, Sabeel Rahman, Yascha Mounk, Mark Schmitt, and Michael Lind were generous with their time, helping me talk over history and political economics. I learned so much from them. Lee Drutman, one of the best political scientists of our time, taught me about lobbying and threw in something more: while talking in the file room one day, he came up with the title for this book. I wanted to call it The Republic of Koch, and he told me the real title was Kochland. Thanks for saving me. Barry Lynn, as always, is a great teacher about corporate power and monopolies. Konstantin Kakaes is an incredible guy to help clarify your thinking and demolish weak arguments. Phil Longman, a fantastic student of history, helped me work through so many ideas on this book and always helped me to see the bigger picture. Jesse Eisinger was a great reminder of how real reporters should conduct themselves. He also read through the early chapters of this book and gave me invaluable feedback. Rania Abouzeid is inspiring in her bravery and her skill. Azmat Khan has been so remarkably kind and always pushes me to be better through her example. Anand Gopal, my first friend at New America, had better not quit writing books because he does it better than almost anyone and we are counting on him. Gabriel Sherman taught me so much about reporting and persistence, and I often relied on his advice and example. Alex Holt is such a sharp mind and a great sounding board and friend. Chayenne Polimédio helped me think through the politics. Josh Freedman was generous with his time and brilliance and was invaluable in helping me think about America’s political system. Fuzz Hogan, Lauren McCarthy, and Cathy Bryan were wonderful friends and advisors who made it all work. Peter Bergen was a tremendous support as head of the fellows program and always kept his eye on the big picture. Albert Ford was always ready with a smile and a great question. Awista Ayub was a gracious supporter and colleague. Rebecca A. and Laura K. were so kind and so generous in helping me see what I missed—I owe you so much. Louie Palu is a great friend and inspiration. Sue Bencuya rigorously fact-checked this book and was invaluable in correcting errors and clarifying the language. Thank you.
Steve LeVine has been an incredible friend and mentor since I arrived in Washington. Steve generously read through an early version of this book and helped me make it better throughout. His own books and his advice are signposts that show the right way, and I benefited immensely from his wisdom. I will keep trying to follow the path.
I am so grateful for my friend and mentor William T. Vollmann. While I was writing this book, Bill gave me an invaluable piece of advice and a benediction. The advice: “Don’t let Koch Industries, or your editor, push you around.” The benediction: “It makes me happy when you work every day.”
I am gratified that Seymour Hersh humored me and gave advice. He kept asking me why I wanted to hang around, and the real answer is that it makes me feel better to know that there are reporters like him in the business—I am trying to watch and learn.
As I reported this book, I was lucky to work with great editors at newspapers and magazines who helped me publish work that furthered my inquiries into Koch. Brian O’Keefe at Fortune magazine gave me the all-important chance to write my first profile of Koch Industries. He was not just smart and incisive, but also steadfast when Koch pushed back. I am so grateful to have worked with him. Romesh Ratnesar, Brad Wieners, Jeremy Keehn, and Matthew Philips at Bloomberg Businessweek have been incredible to work with—thank you so much for your support. Andy Serwer at Yahoo! Finance gave me the chance to write about Koch and land an interview with Charles Koch, for which I am forever grateful. Kelly Johnson at the Washington Post was a joy to work with, and she masterfully shaped the story on Georgia-Pacific.
Pete, Tina, and the Farrelly boys were incredible hosts who gave me shelter and kinship in Portland, Oregon, during my long reporting trips there. Thank you! You made a lonely job fun.
Jane Mayer and Daniel Schulman are two fantastic reporters who preceded me in writing books about the Koch brothers. One could question why another book was needed, but I hope that I brought something new to the public domain. I am so grateful for the kind support they gave me as I was working on this.
After I left New America in 2017, I was so lucky to find a home (once again) at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where we hope to open doors for more books and more reporters. I am so grateful for the support of Dean David Kurpius, who has his eyes on the future. Thank you so much to Randy Picht for your guidance, help, leadership, and support. Shannon Burke-Kranzberg has been tireless in her efforts and essential to making the idea real. Randall Smith hatched the idea and brought me in—thank you, neighbor. Mark Horvit has been a tireless ally and a great inspiration, and Earnest Perry has been a vital leader, even if he still scares me a little bit because he used to be my editor. Thank you so much to Colin Kilpatrick and Martha Pickens for the countless hours you’ve invested to make this happen. Sky Chadde and Uliana Pavlova at Missouri helped me research Koch’s Fertilizer business and political activities, respectively. They were both tireless reporters and I look forward to seeing what’s next.