Best Labor Policy
Fast Food Nation points the way but, to resurrect an old fast food slogan, the choice is yours.”— Los Angeles Times. Eric Schlosser’s exposé revealed how the fast food industry has altered the landscape of America, widened the gap between rich and poor, fueled an epidemic of obesity, and transformed food production throughout the world. In a new afterword for this edition, Schlosser discusses the growing interest in local and organic food, the continued exploitation of poor workers by the food industry, and the need to ensure that every American has access to good, healthy, affordable food. “Schlosser shows how the fast food industry conquered both appetite and landscape.”— The New Yorker. In this fascinating sociocultural report, Schlosser digs into the deeper meaning of Burger King, Auggie's, The Chicken Shack, Jack-in-the-Box, Little Caesar's and myriad other examples of fast food in America. Frequently using McDonald's as a template, Schlosser, an Atlantic Monthly correspondent, explains how the development of fast-food restaurants has led to the standardization of American culture, widespread obesity, urban sprawl and more. In a perky, reportorial voice, Adamson tells of the history, economics, day-to-day dealings and broad and often negative cultural implications of franchised burger joints and pizza factories, delivering impressive snippets of information (e.g., two-thirds of America's fast-food restaurant employees are teenagers; Willard Scott posed as the first Ronald McDonald until higher-ups decided Scott was too round to represent a healthy restaurant like McDonald's). According to Schlosser, most visits to fast-food restaurants are the culinary equivalent of "impulse buys," i.e., someone is driving by and pulls over for a Big Mac.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In some cases (such as the malling and sprawling of the West) the fast food industry has been a catalyst and a symptom of larger economic trends. By tracing the diverse influences of fast food I hope to shed light not only on the workings of an important industry, but also on a distinctively American way of viewing the world." Below are key excerpts from the book that I found particularly insightful: "The history of the twentieth century was dominated by the struggle against totalitarian systems of state power. "The right pressure applied to the fast food industry in the right way could produce change faster than any act of Congress. The United Students Against Sweatshops and other activist groups have brought widespread attention to the child labor, low wages, and hazardous working conditions in Asian factories that make sneakers for Nike." "Whatever replaces the fast food industry should be regional, diverse, authentic, unpredictable, sustainable, profitable - and humble."
"The book starts off by explaining how the fast food industry came to be the American symbol. Schlosser took many tours through slaughterhouses and interviewed many former employees that have been burned out from the tortuous conditions. Schlosser says that, "Everyday in the United States, roughly 200,000 people are sickened by food borne disease, 900 are hospitalized, and 14 die". His main message presented was how the fast food industry is affecting society. Having more people know about what is really behind the Big Mac and the Whopper will help society understand what they are eating and how it can affect them."
"Even ten years after this was originally written, still incredibly timely."
"Then he gets into other topics - the minimum wage, failed unionizations, the ingredients, marketing that targets children - and your eyes are opened permanently."
"I bought Fast Food Nation through Amazon seller as a used book."
"It offers an amazing insight of the entire meet industry."
He makes clear how centrally problematic our veneration of the “free market” is, and how it has masked the power of moneyed interests to tilt the market to their benefit. A Publishers Weekly Business & Economics Top 10 selection for Fall 2015. "Ambitious... Reich makes a very good case that widening inequality largely reflects political decisions that could have gone in very different directions... “Like any good teacher, Robert Reich knows that making a simple yet crucial idea stick often takes much time and many presentations of the concept… In Saving Capitalism, Reich drives home a basic fact that, if widely understood, could lift America from today’s destructive political standoff.” — Chicago Tribune. “Engrossing… [Reich] is calmly articulate, not alarmist; yet a sense of urgency pulses through his unambiguous prose… Informative and necessary.” —Argonaut "Audacious... Pragmatic... [Reich takes] on the very language used by the business world that perpetuates the myth that the private sector exists as magical sphere entirely unrelated to government." Reich provides an original and compelling analysis of how the rules governing America’s form of capitalism have contributed to growing income inequality and of how these rules have been distorted by the role of money in the U.S. political system.” —Laura D’Andrea Tyson. “Robert Reich has written a riveting guide to how our economic and political system has become so badly flawed, distorted by pervasive rent seeking and monopolies.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Not necessarily because I agree with everything in the book, but because of Reich’s simple, laymen explanation of the building blocks of the “free” market – property, monopoly, contract, bankruptcy and enforcement – and how those elements are, in fact, determined by the government. It’s a matter of who controls the government and in whose interests these laws, regulations and judicial proceedings work – the majority of the people/society as a whole? Tangible goods may be obvious but what about intangible things like intellectual property, large platforms like the internet or cable, or even labor? In the period after World War II until the 1970s or so, Reich demonstrates how these building blocks were used to protect jobs, health, the environment and the rights and interests of ordinary Americans. But since the 1980s and the rise of “supply sided economics”, and especially since the Citizens United Supreme Court decision earlier this decade, large corporations and powerful individuals have used their influence to encourage elected officials to create laws and policies that favor the interests of the powerful. For these reasons I recommend the book to every American to get a clear understanding of the distortion of the “free market” propaganda. Most of us don’t feel the need to reduce food stamps and take money out of poor people’s mouths just so that we could make another couple million. When I was in high school civics, we learned that lobbying is simply talking or writing to your elected official to try to convince him or her of your point of view and get his/her vote in your favor. Sure, Monsanto can afford to hire people to do nothing but talk to Congressmen, while Farmer Joe is busy planting, tilling and harvesting his fields. For example, should we invade XYZ Muslim country with boots on the ground, or should we contain the situation with drones and special ops? Most such solutions are simply repealing the bad laws and policies that have been enacted as he’s explained earlier in the book. We as a nation are either so busy making ends meet or so distracted by games and gadgets, that we’ve willingly allowed a corporate coup under our very noses. Our survival will depend upon not getting sidetracked by the liberal vs. conservative, Democrat vs. Republican narrative and coming together as citizens of a nation that are all in it together, whether we want to be or not. But the same people who control our government and the media (and, more and more, education) benefit from these false fights and will stir them up as long as they can. I will say again that I salute Reich for writing such a clear and cogent explanation of the fallacies of the “government vs. free market” debate."
"This includes the real implosion of the middle class, the rise of tremendous economic inequality and the changing American economy. In addition, Reich discusses the financial system as benefiting the investment class and the idea of the rigged game. Finally, Reich offers ideas on how to counteract this system that he believes is failing the bulk of Americans, such is raising the minimum wage."
"Capitalism itself was a revolution against the aristocracy, and I hope that conservatives and liberals alike would join together to countervail the ruling oligarchy, as Reich so sincerely asks of us in this magnificent book."
On frequently traveled routes between seasonal jobs, Jessica Bruder meets people from all walks of life: a former professor, a McDonald’s vice president, a minister, a college administrator, and a motorcycle cop, among many others—including her irrepressible protagonist, a onetime cocktail waitress, Home Depot clerk, and general contractor named Linda May. brilliant and haunting”. - Arlie Russell Hochschild, New York Times Book Review “People who thought the 2008 financial collapse was over a long time ago need to meet the people Jessica Bruder got to know in this scorching, beautifully written, vivid, disturbing (and occasionally wryly funny) book. Nomadland is a testament both to the generosity and creativity of the victims of our modern-medieval economy, hidden in plain sight, and to the blunt-end brutality that put them there. But surprisingly, Nomadland also offers its residents much-needed camaraderie and adventure, which makes this book a joy to read.”. - Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed. Nomadland is a smart road book for the new economy, full of conviviality and dark portent.”. - Ted Conover, author of Rolling Nowhere and Immersion. Proud, resourceful, screwed-over, funny and in so many ways admirable, the American nomads Bruder lived with and reports on have sometimes lost everything but their bravado . “Some readers will come because they're enamored of road narratives, but Bruder's study should be of interest to anyone who cares about the future of work, community, and retirement.”. - Peter C. Baker, Pacific Standard.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Jessica Bruder, a magazine journalist, spent three years researching the growing phenomenon of people, mostly of retirement age, living in their vehicles. They were forced by financial circumstances to give up their homes or apartments and living in a vehicle allows them some shelter, some mobility, and an excuse to claim that they are not actually homeless, just "houseless.""
"They're encouraged by being told that they're not working hard enough if they're NOT taking at least 2 tylenols at the end of their shift - free OTC pain meds being a "perk" of working in an Amazon warehouse. They bring the non-cynical can-do work ethic of yesteryear, they're economically desperate, and Federal tax credits offset 25-40% of their wages!"
"Trapped between rising rents, ancient lingering student loans and ageism, workers in their sixties and seventies are living in vans, cars and old school busses while crossing the country for minimum wage seasonal jobs at parks, beet farms and Amazon fulfillment centers."
"Our "camp" spot $60/night. It was our intention when we actually retire in a few years to volunteer as camp hosts as a way of giving back and extending our retirement dollars. I assume they are just now allowed in to the places we stay, rigs must be 10 years or younger, you must prove you have 100,000 insurance, you have to have a background check if staying in any one place for longer than a month."
"What a mind opening read!"
"Wonderful book detailing a life style I knew nothing about and the kinds of things that ordinary Americans such as Linda dream about."
"A great book, although a sad story of life in america these days,.. but everyone should read it,.."
"Interesting read but a little too much emphasis on Amazon Kamperforce."
Best Company Histories
Vance spent over 40 hours in conversation with Musk and interviewed close to 300 people to tell the tumultuous stories of Musk's world-changing companies: PayPal, Tesla Motors, SpaceX and SolarCity, and to characterize a man who has renewed American industry and sparked new levels of innovation while making plenty of enemies along the way. "Ashlee Vance's new book, 'Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future,' is a tremendous look into arguably the world's most important entrepreneur. Vance paints an unforgettable picture of Musk's unique personality, insatiable drive and ability to thrive through hardship." "Vance's lively book yields all manner of fascinating insights about Musk's companies, his vision, and his personal life." - Whitney Tilson Founder, Kase Capital Management There are few industrialists in history who could match Elon Musk's relentless drive and ingenious vision. A modern alloy of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes, and Steve Jobs, Musk is the man behind PayPal, Tesla Motors, SpaceX, and SolarCity, each of which has sent shock waves throughout American business and industry. More than any other executive today, Musk has dedicated his energies and his own vast fortune to inventing a future that is as rich and far-reaching as a science fiction fantasy. In this lively, investigative account, veteran technology journalist Ashlee Vance offers an unprecedented look into the remarkable life and times of Silicon Valley's most audacious businessman. Written with exclusive access to Musk, his family, and his friends, the book traces his journey from his difficult upbringing in South Africa to his ascent to the pinnacle of the global business world. In 1992, Elon Musk arrived in the United States as a ferociously driven immigrant bent on realizing his wildest dreams. After being forced out of PayPal, fending off a life-threatening case of malaria, and dealing with the death of his infant son, Musk abandoned Silicon Valley for Los Angeles. At a time when many American companies are more interested in chasing easy money than in taking bold risks on radical new technology, Musk stands out as the only businessman with enough dynamism and vision to tackle--and even revolutionize--three industries at once. Vance makes the case that Musk's success heralds a return to the original ambition and invention that made America an economic and intellectual powerhouse.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"2 pages in, I decided I was in this for the long haul and sat on the floor, right there in the middle of the store. Because as you experience the story, as you see the challenges Musk went through to reach the pinnacle he's at today, the question nags at you. Musk isn't soft-spoken, or easy on his employees, or a man who kicks his legs up on his desk and snoozes while his companies mill around him. Vance shows how Musk is both the CEO and an employee of his companies, simultaneously the teacher and student. Vance takes you deep into the details, from Musk's childhood and lineage in South Africa, all the way to Canada and the United States, where the bulk of the story unfolds. When Musk looks at big businesses, he sees unmovable behemoths that refuse to change their methodologies. So we follow Musk's journey from his small start-ups, Zip2 and X.com, and move into his larger, more permanent ventures, namely SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. Did you know SpaceX tested these rockets on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and would fix problems they encountered in a matter of days, as compared to months by standard companies? I'm going to reread this book in a few weeks (probably after the scheduled June 19th third Falcon 9 landing attempt, this time on solid ground, as opposed to a barge). Anyone who wants a ridiculously thorough insight into Elon Musk's life and companies should read this book. This is an incredibly inspiring book, a important look into a game-changing business strategy, and a valuable lesson to the world."
"I loved the insight into Musk and how he operates, and you get a very broad and complete picture of Musk as a driven visionary that is absolutely set on delivering some of the most aspirational goals of any human in history. You also get some great insight into the overall ecosystem around Musk - his companies (SpaceX and Tesla primarily), relationships with other companies and gov entities, as well as the important people around him."
"Solid, well researched book about Musk's early life, early companies (Zip2 and PayPal), and current companies (Tesla, SpaceX and SolarCity). Throughout the book, Vance doesn't just let a startling assertion or quote stand still, he researches events to give the reader a balanced view of what transpired."
Best Company Business Profiles
Filled with telling personal anecdotes and high adventure, with narratives from the CIA and from Air Force pilots who flew the many classified, risky missions, this book is a riveting portrait of the most spectacular aviation triumphs of the twentieth century. Under its presiding genius, Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, the Skunk Works produced America's first jet fighter, the world's most successful spy plane (U-2), the first three-times-the-speed-of-sound surveillance aircraft and the F-117A stealth fighter. In an entertaining style, the authors describe Johnson's tyrannical managerial style, his thorny but productive relationship with the Air Force and the stealth-technology breakthrough that revolutionized military aviation. He has much to say about the Defense Department bureaucracy and warns, "Everyone in the defense industry knows that bureaucratic regulations, controls, and paperwork are at critical mass... and... in danger of destroying the entire system."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Reading about the amazing things that were being engineered at Skunk Works back when they didn't have the luxury of computers to do their modeling for them. Highly recommend it if you have any interest in aviation, especially top secret military aviation."
"Although this book was written some time ago, it is still a great story, especially when the Stealth Bomber flew right over my neighborhood!"
"I loaned out the 1st two and never got them back - and it is one of the best I have ever read with regard to the development of the spy and stealth planes by the Lockheed Advanced Development Division."
"An well written book with excellent attention to detail."
"Seriously, during the Cold War, our government knew a lot about our spy planes, the USSR government knew a lot about our spy planes, but American citizens knew virtually nothing."
"It was a very good book that I came away with an insight of how the skunk works operated."
"You see the numerous personalities and the power struggles that go on constantly to make progress and balance the delicate negotiations and major daunting constructions that were involved."
"Ben Rich and Leo Janos gave us a glimpse into many of the most secretive and historically significant breakthroughs of the Cold War era."