War Is A Racket by General Smedley D. Butler - Original Edition by Smedley D. Butler. Published by Dauphin Publications, 2018. Paperback 42 pages ISBN:9781939438584 Language: English. War Is A Racket by General Smedley D. Butler - Original Edition. War Is A Racket by Smedley D. Butler. Published by Dauphin Publications in 2018. Paperback, 42 pages ISBN:9781939438584. Unread book in absolute new condition. War is a Racket is the author's classic treatise on why wars are conducted, who profits from them, and who pays the price. Few people are as qualified as General Butler to advance the argument encapsulated in his book's sensational title. When War is a Racket was first published in 1935, Butler was the most decorated American soldier of his time. He had lead several successful military operations in the Caribbean and in Central America, as well as in Europe during the First World War. Despite his success and his heroic status, however, Butler came away from these experiences with a deeply troubled view of both the purpose and the results of warfare.