5 comments about Why We Want You to Be Rich: Two Men - One Message.

1. This is an awesome book and I highly recommend it no matter what business you are in or what walk of life you come from...........



2. These two men really opened my eyes. There is a difference in working for money and letting money work for you.



3. basically Donald used Robert to sell his book. if you check how many books Robert has sold and how many Donald,you would know what is going on.Donald trump is a businessman but Robert kiyosaki is genius.I've read several books which was written by Donald trump and the only thing i learned is the name of his project all over the world.but look at Robert's books,its amazing.if you buy this book i recommend you read only Robert's paragraph.



4. Not good. Kyosaki comments, Trump agrees, they praise each other and thats the pattern of the book. Junk.



5. So far this book is telling you to become rich or stay where you are and either stay poor or become poor because the world will pass you by as times get worse. My problem/question is if everyone is hurting for money who will buy your products, service or real esate if there are few jobs and less money or the dollar is worth less? Robert and Donald I guess are above needing money they are so rich.
   
   Over all how can you stay rich once you become rich if you can not sell you product or service, or rent out you real estate? To prepare for what is coming I would read books on prepardness. Maybe by getting riich fast you will have the money to prepare but after things get bad what do you do if all you have is a broken business, a apartment complex that no one can afford to rent and worse you can collect from the squaters there or get them out and your millions in the bank can't buy food?
   
   My advice is to do both, make as much money as you can but buy things that will ensure your survival. Both men talk about education in the business and money world. Well if both fall apart only those that know how to hunt, farm, fish and fight will survive.
   Ric
   
   This book tells a good story of what may be coming and how to prepapre for it.
   Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse: A Novel of the Turbulent near Future

5 comments about The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More.

1. A writer who I follow avidly is the New Yorker's Malcolm Gladwell, who for a decade now has successfully analyzed and explained the bleeding obvious. But he does so in a fluid and entertaining manner, which is what mostly accounts for his success.
   
   A few years ago Mr. Gladwell wrote a book called "The Tipping Point," which went on to become a publishing phenomenon. In it he explained how certain products become phenomena. First, someone creates the product or comes up with the idea. Second, someone packages it properly so that it's something that resonates with people. Third, someone discovers it and enthusiastically promotes it until its sales or notoriety reaches "a tipping point," and once it crosses this threshold the idea or product becomes a cultural phenomenon.
   
   A lot of readers enjoyed the book and found it "empowering" because they fundamentally misunderstood it. For them it meant that if they worked hard enough and had the proper skill-set they could sell their products and be successful. But "The Tipping Point" showed how important chance and randomness were in products and ideas becoming successful and mainstream -- different people working at different times re-working and re-marketing an idea or a product before the product obtains that magical combination of utility, relevance, and buzz. It's a very much organic, natural, and social process -- where no one or no group is completely in control.
   
   In that way Malcolm Gladwell's contribution was not coming up with a new idea but in framing a well-known cultural phenomenon.
   
   Likewise with Chris Anderson's "The Long Tail." Instead of telling us anything new he's helping us frame our understanding of the Internet and digital age.
   
   We know the Internet is a revolutionary tool that has empowered consumers with more choice and information than ever before, has made the production and distribution of products cheaper than before, and is radically challenging the dominance of traditional media and bricks-and-mortars retailers. We know that Internet retailers -- such as Amazon, Ebay, and Google -- have different revenue and business models than Walmart, Target, and Barnes & Noble. The Internet has also fundamentally changed consumer behavior: instead of waiting for prime time consumers now watch want they want to watch when they want to watch it. What Chris Anderson has done is frame all this in a concept called "The Long Tail."
   
   What "The Long Tail" means is that given the diversity of individual tastes the number of movies and books that consumers could potentially want to buy is almost infinite. Unfortunately the resources of traditional retailers like Walmart is very finite -- because of limited shelf space Walmart has to choose books and DVDs that have the most consumer appeal. But web-based retailers like Amazon have infinite shelf space so they can offer consumers more choice, and consumers embrace choice.
   
   That in a nutshell is what the "The Long Tail" is about, and to justify turning his magazine article of the same name into a book Chris Anderson offers lots of examples and cases studies of "The Long Tail" in action but mainly just waxes eloquent on how the Internet has empowered people: Thanks to the miracle of cheap digital technology young kids who don't want to work but just want to be famous can make their own movies, and make their friends and parents buy it over the Internet.
   
   Too much boasting and boosting and not enough analyzing and criticizing is yet another similarity between "The Long Tail" and "The Tipping Point." Both are also magazine articles that have been for marketing purposes turned into books.
   
   Ultimately, both books sell a gimmicky concept that doesn't really enhance our understanding of the world.



2. The digital age has thrown a curve ball at traditional economic theory. Disrupting the institutionalized notion that economics is about choice under scarcity, the Internet has introduced economists to a world of abundance.
   
   Chris Anderson's book The Long Tail examines the non-traditional markets that emerge when people are faced with abundance and infinite selection. This model allows the public to deviate from the accepted norm of being fed "hits" that are corporately designed for mass-appeal. Anderson's Long Tail theory proves that by opening the door for consumers to access niche choices and tools of creation, the Internet has unveiled a means of "turning unprofitable customers, products, and markets into profitable ones" (p. 11). The Long Tail refers to the market share that is made attainable by the Internet's introduction of "abundant shelf space, abundant distribution, and abundant choice" (p. 143).
   
   In The Long Tail, Anderson effectively presents engaging ideas that are muted only by the book's sometimes-scattered structure. Anderson uses real-world examples to make his points, leads readers to evaluate their own consumer habits, and upholds the context that the Long Tail is part of a bigger picture. At times Anderson is redundant, and the book lacks the guidance of a defined genre, but compared to The Long Tail's strong overall message, the points of contention are minimal.
   
   Using real-world examples, Anderson effectively teaches readers how the digital age is empowering formerly complaisant consumers to control what is popular. Anderson gives examples of musicians who made it big without record label support and were able to "record and distribute their music themselves and keep their creative independence" (p. 106) and actors who developed enormous fan bases and reached stardom by posting their skits online. By citing such examples, Anderson illustrates to readers that aspiring artists no longer need to wait for a big break from entertainment industry executives; "technology has shifted the balance of power from label to band" (p. 106). Anderson also uses a real-world example to show readers that when a company broadens its selection of items it will learn from the customer what is popular: "Until KitchenAid had an online channel that allowed customers to pick from its full range of products, it had no way of knowing that there was latent consumer demand [for orange mixers] that it hadn't previously tapped" (p. 205).
   
   The author's real-world proof that consumers can influence industries leads readers to evaluate their own position in corporate-to-consumer relationships. The Long Tail model causes readers to think twice about supporting broad-appeal-based businesses that offer limited selections. Readers may ask: Why should I settle for mainstream when I can get just what I want elsewhere? Both consumers and producers can leverage the Long Tail of niche markets to their own advantage. Anderson notes that while abundance of selection grants consumers the power of choice, businesses are reaping the revenue benefits of the Tail: "the numbers are so large that you can lop off a large chunk (the hits) and it's still a huge market" (p. 215).
   
   Anderson does a good job of reminding the reader of the context from which the Long Tail should be viewed; it is one splice of a larger market. He appropriately notes that while there is a significant subculture market to be captured in the Long Tail, the head of hits should not be disregarded. It is hard to side with writers such as Anita Elberse of the Harvard Business Review who seem to misconstrue the Long Tail concept as promoting tail-only business; Anderson explicitly states that "successful Long Tail aggregators need to have both hits and niches" (p. 148). He cites the importance of both ends, using Google as an example: "most of its revenues come from the head of the curve, [but] most of its customers are somewhere in the tail, which suggests that this is where much of its growth will come in the future" (p. 215).
   
   While the educational and thought-provoking merits of The Long Tail are significant, Anderson nonetheless introduces two challenges to his readers. The first challenge lies in the mid-section of the book, wherein Anderson is unnecessarily redundant and risks losing the reader's attention. Page 146 would make an excellent last page, as it nicely summarizes and connects what has been read. Although there is some good content interspersed in the redundancy, Chapter 9 (page 147) would make a nice start for The Long Tail: Part Two, as it restates what was in Part I. Page 155 revisits big box retailers, page 164 tells the reader again that there are limitations in airwaves, and goes on to recount what makes a hit. Ironically, in his WIRED Magazine article, "Free! Why $0.00 is the Future of Business," Anderson states that in a world of abundance attention is the new scarcity to be vied for. A more concise, well-organized edition of the book would be more apt to engage the scarcity of attention.
   
   The second challenge is that the book lacks a genre. Anderson admits "I tremble to think where the Dewey Decimal System will place the book you're reading now. Technology? Economics? Business? Culture? None of them are quite right by themselves" (p. 161). For the reader, not knowing what The Long Tail was written for hinders enjoyment and slows the reading process. It is challenging to decipher if the book is meant to be read as a textbook from which statistics ought to be memorized, or as a breezy read that offers ideas that will be fun to share at cocktail parties. Anderson finds single-genre classifications to be limiting, since "one thing can be many different things to many different people" (p. 161). However, he overlooks that a genre can be of more use than just determining where to physically or digitally store/categorize the book. Genres can also provide readers a useful context from which to read. The burden of figuring out the genre of The Long Tail is a hurdle for the reader.
   
   As Professor Kathy Gill of the University of Washington notes, this is the "Wild West" of the digital age. In this Wild West, Anderson pulls together the elements and implications of a previously unattainable Long Tail market to bring meaning to this burgeoning area that is still being defined. Despite a few points of contention, The Long Tail does an excellent job of introducing and addressing today's changing economy and leads readers to evaluate the economic role they play.



3. A friend of mine told me about "The Long Tail" a few months ago and I finally got the book. Chris Anderson gets it right with the transformation of brick and mortar to online... Hence the latest implosion of Circuit City.
   
   So, for any B-School student or someone like myself that convert businesses online - you'll find this a quick and informative read.
   
   Enjoy!



4. The Long Tail refers to the shape of the graph with high sales volume of a few hit products in the head, and low volume of many products in the tail. The book is about the shift from an economy of mass-market hits to an economy of niches.
   
   "The average Borders carries around 100,000 titles. Yet about a quarter of Amazon's book sales come from outside its top 100,000 titles." Amazon and eBay overcome the scarcity of local shelf space for physical products. Digital products (such as MP3 downloads) are ideal since there is no warehousing cost.
   
   "Netflix reckoned that 95 percent of its 25,000 DVDs... rented at least once a quarter. ...98 percent of [Amazon's] top 100,000 books sold at least once a quarter." It strikes me that the examples in the book explain the benefits to online retailers of carrying a long tail inventory; however, unless you are selling battleships, one sale per quarter does not sound so profitable for the manufacturer.
   
   "In a world of infinite choice, context -not content- is king." Directly and indirectly, customers help other customers with similar interests to make informed choices. This includes product reviews (like this one) and Amazon's Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought [these items] feature. But you probably already knew that.
   
   The Long Tail concept is an important observation, originally published as an article in Wired. I think the point of the book is made in the first couple of chapters, and loses momentum thereafter.
   
   I bought this book in an airport to pass the time on an international flight. But honestly, in a world of infinite choice, I'm sure you could find something more interesting on Amazon.



5. This book was very easy to read in that it was straight forward and had good explanations and examples of the topic. The title was explained from the onset and summarized the content of the book. The remainder of the book went on to explain why Long Tail economics is happening and how it got started. I agree with the premise of the book and can now appreciate and put a name to the changes I have seen in consumerism and my personal consumption.
   This book is relevant because we are all consumers. The number of options available, reduced costs and connecting supply and demand are a few examples of the catalysts of Long Tail economics. Understanding why certain things are happening is also very important from the perspective of business. Recognizing opportunities and obstacles that result from the Long Tail will encourage better decision-making and in turn more success. Another factor that cannot be overlooked is the influence of technology. This niche market trend has been encouraged by the increased use of technology and the new realm it has created.
   Two very different markets have surfaced as a result of the Long Tail. First, the traditional bricks and mortar approach still meets the needs of consumers, especially the desire for immediate gratification. On-line markets on the other hand have grown the idea of niche marketing exponentially. The ability of users to find exactly what they are looking for and the ability of businesses to provide unlimited options to consumers has taken advantage of and promoted the expansion of the Tail. Reduced consumer constraints, however, have begged the question of whether of not too many consumer choices is possible and what are its implications. In some cases this seems to be true, but it will be interesting to see how this issue is addressed in the future.
   On a personal level, my role as a consumer is changing. The book identifies the increased faith in the individual and the increasing value of their input. Various companies and markets in general are realizing the importance of and relying more heavily on the advisory role of individuals.

5 comments about The Coming Economic Collapse: How You Can Thrive When Oil Costs $200 a Barrel.

1. The investment advice is based on the assumption that the "coming economic collapse" will be like the recession in the 1970s. Pretty unlikely, given that the causes are totally different. He just wants us to buy gold - who needs his book to hear this?
   
   This is a simplistic book with little to recommend it.



2. This book has a lot of great info, particularly about economy and aspects of history that may be misunderstood, or may have been completely misrepresented to us. The book is also a relatively easy read. I read it about a year ago, which was actually a little late, but even now it is still a worthwhile investment.



3. I wish he saw the credit market collapse and subsequent bailout. I'm off topic, i know, sorry. Regarding oil, hind sight is 20-20. After reading the book i in summer '07 i went off to my CFA and got this take: oil prices are being fueled by speculators, in inflation adjusted numbers it's still less (even at $100 plus) then the spikes in the early 80's, Not to worry the price will come done. Now with oil at 90 plus (10/08), my CFA has proven correct at least in the short term.
   
   The book takes good sources, references, common sense, and some marketing license with the title and makes a good case. The author still sounds shrill. During the period of $140 plus, i went to the authors site expecting to get the i told you so and the get ready here it comes and here's what you can do...but NOTHING! So much for committment.
   
   Don't get me wrong, if nothing he has heightened my senses and i will keep a diligent eye towards the oil industry, international economies, government action and inaction. I think it has elevated everyones thinking and the should be the sole reason for reading this book.



4. I read this book based on a recommendation by someone who was bullish in investing in Gold. The financial crisis (2008) has also catapulted the author to a series of media interviews. As others have already observed, the actual investment advice came only in the last three chapters. Much of the book devoted to building up the author's credence in analysing past periods of high inflation and volatile investment environment in the 1970s. In light of the current financial crisis, some of the author's observation makes interesting reading.
   
   Here are some of the them,
   
   "Most authorities continue to reassure the public that today's soaring energy prices are temporary, that oil reserves are virtually limitless."
   
   "Most people don't realise how close the dot-com crash came to destroying the economy, the society, and the very fabric of our civilization came close to disintegrating."
   
   "... our leaders did the right thing and saved us from disaster by the rapid response from the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates to nearly zero."
   
   And these are just the first 10 pages from the book. Leeb made a big thing about not falling into "group think" and he was the lone voice in spotting the finite nature of oil reserves. The problem is, there is no evidence that national leaders or company CEOs think oil is limitless. That is a strange concept. To put things in perspective, the dot-com crash induced recession lasted only around 6 months and mostly limited to the US. The general market and the rest of the world escape relatively unscathed. The Feds' interest rates policy directly linked to the sub-prime crisis is even harder to defend. Interestingly, the author think because real estate was a sound investment in the 1970s, and think it will remain sound for some time.
   
   On the different in investment strategy during a volatile market, the author wrote, "a far more rewarding strategy in the 1970s was to sell shares at the market tops and buy them again at the start of the next rally." Oh, now I get it .... buy low and sell high. ;-)
   
   I am also uncomfortable with some of the scientific assertions in support of alternative energy investment. Leeb doesn't think nuclear energy has a future because nuclear waste management is a problem. Ignoring France is 75% nuclear powered, and waste management has been effectively managed for the past decades. Wind energy is the preferred solution to the energy crisis by the author. However, no base-loaded electricity requirement was mentioned. Wind energy can not provide base-loaded electricity. For readers interested in different energy alternatives, I recommend Beyond Oil: The View from Hubbert's Peak by Prof. Kenneth Deffeyes.
   
   Gold investment actually makes a lot of sense. However, the rise and fall of gold price goes beyond the law of Supply and Demand. The strength of the US dollars used in paying for commodity, including oil and gold. And the influence of hedge funds. Even accepting the soundness of gold investment as a long term strategy, the lack of inclusion of any debate of the US dollars and hedge funds diminishes any serious recommendation.



5. I bought the audio book version and was only able to listen to about half of it. I couldn't finish it as it repeated itself constantly.
   
   Basically what I have taken from the author is that every civilization and empire that has failed did so because of energy supply problems. Forget corruption, forget fiscal irresponsibility or anything else just chalk it up to energy supply issues. Conclusion is the collapse of the American Empire will be the result of energy supply issues.
   
   The author constantly repeats himself throughout the book and it makes it really hard to finish.

5 comments about Conquer the Crash: You Can Survive and Prosper in a Deflationary Depression, Expanded and Updated Edition.

1. Must admit I'm only a bit more than half way thru the book.
   However, I bought it after reading other positive reviews & I'm not
   disappointed. The premise is SAFETY with your capital.
   The horrendous machinations we're seeing today in the world of finance was predicted by the author 4 years ago. His recomendations for safe havens for your money are excellent.
   
   Gives methods to determine strength of your bank & money markets as well.
   Well worth the purchase price. Get into prec. metals before it's too late!



2. The author provides good practical advices on how to live through the difficult times he foresees.
   I was slightly disappointed in not finding in the book much of his "charted expectations" of how the market crash shall paly out, although he often refers to his other book ("At the crest of the tidal wave") for this. So I guess I should buy that one as well.
   Also, not much insight is given with respect to Elliot Wave theory, of whom mr Prechter is an eminent scholar. Apparently the only book the author wrote to provide it is "Elliot Wave Principle".



3. This book came out around the bottom of the market in the early 2000's and made it to the best seller list.
   
   Here it is 6 years later and eerily everything unfolds as if following a script written by Prechter.
   
   As he was early in calling for the top in the market, so too was he early in calling for the events we currently see.
   
   When this book hits the best seller list again, most likely the bear market is over and those who didn't pay attention will have lost everything.
   
   Good Call, Mr. Prechter.



4. I have followed the advice of Robert Prechter for decades and long ago discovered that he is always very early in his predictions but hardly ever wrong. He kept me from losing any money in all these years for which I owe him a great debt. I was able to retire early and feel safe as possible in, currently, short-term Treasuries. Paper profits don't mean a thing unless you can actually gain in real terms. The secret is to not lose any of your capital and to stay far away from the herd mentality.



5. This book not only explains why deflationary forces are dominating the US economy, but also explains what you should do to protect your hard-earned wealth. Buy "Conquer the Crash" and act while you can!
   PS. You can check Prechter's video interviews on youtube for updates on the material presented in the book.

5 comments about The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What It Means for All of Us.

1. China is the world's new manufacturing powerhouse while India is vying to supersede the United States by producing more code, more engineers and more scientists, although this book (I listened to the unabridged audio book) mostly focuses on the technology support services.
   
   Many of the items you buy in your local Wal-Mart are now designed in India and produced in China. Why? Because the United States cannot be competitive without innovation. It cannot compete in world markets when it produces less engineers, less scientists and less computer programmers - all of whom demand ten times the salary of the abundantly available Indian counterparts grasping for their own meteoric rise to a materially wealthy lifestyle. The Elephant and the Dragon explain the how and why of the global economics that are currently rocking the U.S. to its foundation.
   
   It may already be too late to recapture what made America the "shining light on the hill" but this book is a captivating look into the two vast countries that will replace us in the next century as the world's dominant suppliers of goods and services.



2. The author offers some good material about business trends in China and India and talks as well about the cultural and psychological factors which played an important role for the recent economic transformations in these countries. The description of the problems hindering a long-term development in India and China (corruption and infrastructure difficulties in India, Chinese communistic mindsets and government overregulations) is really interesting. The book proposes some recommendations for Americans and some predictions about Chinese manufacturing and their next economical targets, but this part doesn't sound convincible. Given the economic crisis, the predictions are no longer valid. I think however that some US consumers will shift from high-end products towards middle-end products. If the Chinese manufacturers can shift a part of their low-end production to middle-range products China could emerge event stronger from this crisis.



3. great turnaround. in south africa it took a week from date of ordering to delivery



4. Very informative book. Vividly illuminates how development in central Asia is reshaping the world market place.



5. Meredith's book is an attempt to describe and articulate the newly-fashionable theme of the China and India's rise to political and economic prominence.
   
   However, the book lacks a coherent plan of detailing its facts and linking them in a sensible way. The author jumps from one set of facts in one paragraph to some totally unrelated commentary in the next and then comes back to the first set of facts in a later section. This patterns keeps repeating througout the book, giving the reader a feeling this is a hastily cobbled collection of one-paragraph magazine articles. There's precious new information presented, as the author has made no effort to research beyond the top layer of Chinese and Indian economies i.e apparel factories and call centers respectively.
   
   I would highly recommend Edward Luce's book on India (Inspite of the Gods)as a more substantive and detailed book on emerging India. I'm sure there are better books on China as well, though I'm not as informed on those choices.

5 comments about Richistan: A Journey Through the American Wealth Boom and the Lives of the New Rich.

1. Mr. Frank does an excellent job of presenting an overview of this rarefied subculture. Base insecurities of the human condition are displayed by this obscenely wealthy crowd's habitual one-upmanship social gatherings, Freudian obsessions with having the biggest yacht, mansion or whatever and rarely being satisfied with what they have accrued. A great deal of credit must be given to Mr. Frank for not devolving his book into a hatchet job on the moneyed folk. The author presents some of the pros and cons of finally acquiring and living with so much moolah. A brief, informative and entertaining book.



2. The topic area is interesting, but does not seem as thorough and balanced as I would expect - I am not sure if I should consider this an accurate account of life in the wealth stratosphere, or just an entertaining perspective by one author. I read this book right after "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich, which created an interesting contrast. I listened to the audio version, and did not care for the reader. The accents he uses to portray discussions with the author (and there are many of them) are strange and get to be quite irritating by the end of the book.



3. Robert Frank's "Richistan" is a voyeuristic peek inside the posh tent and McMansions of the American wealthy. He argues that there are developing polarizing forces that make the "new rich" a nation unto themselves. He also dissects this affluent band, indicating that there are three subsets depending on the degree of wealth.
   
   This is a fascinating sociological study of the New Rich, tracing how they differ from Old Money. This has political and social - as well as financial - ramifications.
   
   "Richistan" offers few solutions. It does not pretend to be a prescriptive work of non-fiction. It is, instead, a very interesting perspective on the growth of the new class and the bubble in which it lives.



4. In view of the current economic tailspin, this presents a perspective that may have already passed us by in this generation. But it aptly describes a phenomenon of our most recent past, the uber-rich -- lifestyles, priorities, challenges, excesses. While the majority of those described herein will probably survive the free-falling economy, it's to be expected that the numbers will be decimated in most instances. The personal whims and wants of having the biggest, most technologically advanced, most desirable of everything -- and the staff to manage it all -- will likely be considerably downsized.
   Definitely a worthwhile read -- even as non-fiction!



5. Richistan is an extremely interesting book about the new wealth in America and the rapidly increasing numbers of newly rich people. Mr. Frank works at The Wall Street Journal and appears to have access to an amazing number of sources. He quotes firsthand information from many wealthy individuals. The book should be particularly interesting to people who are not members of Richistan. By the way, the author or someone should receive credit for a particularly clever title.
   
   Mr. Frank introduces the reader to many situations that would develop only if you had real money. For example, the first chapter is about Butler Boot Camp - a training ground for staff to manage estates of the members of Richistan. Apparently the demand for qualified people is huge. He also delves into how much money a rich person needs before a true comfort level sets in, modern methods of philanthropy, making money and then losing it, the political impact of Richistan, and the effect of large inheritances on the kids.
   
   All in all, this is an excellent book to read to gain exposure to the benefits and difficulties of being wealthy. It's too bad that it was written in 2007. I would love to see an update reflecting today's economic conditions.

5 comments about Screwed: The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class - And What We Can Do about It (BK Currents (Paperback)).

1. If you have any care at all about your finacial wellbeing in this country
   you must read this book. Few people are old enough to know what it was like in the usa when one person working one job made enough to buy a house and raise a family. health care was very affordable for all.
   Where did it all go? This book tells you.



2. Thom Hartmann's Screwed is must reading by everyone who isn't a right wing nut. In easy to understand language, Hartmann debunks right wing myths about Liberals and progressives using facts and history, not emotional mantra.
   He's on Sirius Radio each day, and he'll take on any Neo-con and every issue and argue intelligently for the need for liberal/progressive politics in America, and he shows the historical and constitutional basis for all his agrguments. All of his works are a must read. I give this book to all my Independent and moderate Republican friends( see I'm a Liberal, very tolerant).



3. Thom reveals the history of this country and how our economy has devolved away from the intentions of the founders. He explains how democracy is dependent on a strong middle class and that the founders created it to prevent the moneyed and powerful from controlling government. The book was an eye opener, illuminating, exciting, and empowering. Very easy reading. This is particularly important given our current economic crisis. It provides context for a productive society and hope for changes. We can do better...other countries are already there.



4. "Screwed," by Thom Hartman
   Book Review
   October 13, 2008
   By George Fulmore
   
   With the recent financial turmoil (Oct 2008), the word "socialism" is being thrown around like the word "communism" was being used in the `50's. "Socialism" is being used in opposition to increased oversight and regulation by the federal government. But Hartmann uses the term "cronyism" as a retort to claims of "socialism." He says the former is much better in describing the economic policies during the George W. Bush administration.
   
   I think that Thom Hartmann's book is all about the virtues of government oversight, involvement and regulation in a modern economy. He gives us the history of regulation, much of it being implemented in the New Deal. And his thesis would appear to be that the current U.S. economy puts profits before people, while in earlier times, it was the other way around. His thesis would be appear to be that government regulation is needed to keep the economy in balance and to maintain the presence of a strong middle class. His thesis would appear to be that Reaganomics gave government regulation a bad rap and that this led us to a widening between the rich and the poor, a significant increase in our national debt, and the shrinking of our middle class. He urges middle class Americans to take back its country.
   
   Hartmann argues that the founders of our country based our form of government on the principles of the Iroquois Confederation. He says that up until the founding of our nation, the idea of a dominant "middle class" was considered "unnatural" by most pundits and philosophers. But our founding founders concluded that a democracy was a "natural" state of humankind. And the reason that much of the Constitutional Convention was held in secret was because most of the wealthy delegates were betraying their own class by moving in favor of a democratic nation. Per Hartmann, America was an experiment, the likes of which the Western world had never seen.
   
   He thinks that our country has experienced two eras of a dominant middle class. The first was with the earliest settlers through the formation of the country and into the Civil War era. In the earliest times, land was taken from the Indians essentially for free, which allowed the settlers to become self-sufficient and relatively prosperous. The basis of America's first middle class was based on land and the Family Farm. But by the end of the 19th century, we had entered the "Gilded Age" of manufacturing and centralization that produced a group of extremely wealthy Americans, without regard for the maintenance of a middle class. It was not until the New Deal, per Hartmann, that a second era of middle class prominence began, created, primarily, by a government spending stimulus.
   FDR used deficit spending to put people to work and to build public works projects that gave Americans a return on investment for decades: new roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
   
   But two primary goals of the New Deal also were 1) to rebuild the middle class and 2) to establish tools that would KEEP the middle class as the dominant class, tools such as progressive taxation, Social Security, fair trade laws, and the vigorous enforcement of antitrust laws. Hartmann links these actions back to the philosophies of Thomas Jefferson, the founder of the Democratic Party, who felt that unless government sets the rules for business, there can be no middle class. ("Socialism" this is not.)
   
   Additionally, Roosevelt established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and he imposed regulations on stock sales. Thousands were put to work by the Public Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration. Public education was supported and enhanced.
   
   The New Deal worked. Well-paid workers bought goods and services from other workers. Returning veterans took advantage of the GI Bill. The economy recovered and thrived.
   
   But the cons are winning the battle of late. In 2001, for the first time since the New Deal, Americans spent more than they earned. Pension plans are disappearing. The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and too many Americans are just "holding on," says Hartmann. What drives many of the cons is that greed is good. What drives others is the simplistic belief that if government would get out of the way, everything would be just fine. These folks, he terms the "true believers," naming Ronald Reagan as amongst their midst.
   
   But the result of the "trickle down" economic system introduced by Ronald Reagan has been that the rich have gotten richer, while the middle class has shrunk, and the federal deficit has increased to record levels, making the United States the most indebted nation on earth.
   
   Per Hartman, smaller government espoused by the "cons" is not really smaller government; it's a different government, one that is essentially government for the rich. And it is the aftermath of Katrina that exposed the gap between the rich and the poor and the lack of government readiness.
   
   Per Hartman, the cons will not change on their own. Leadership needs to arise to take back the government for the good of a dominant middle class. There is nothing wrong with businesses making money, but it is not to be done via workers making less than a living wage. And, at the heart of Hartmann's arguments is that there are a plethora of services provided by government for the public good.
   
   Privatization has not worked well in the health care industry, he would point out as an example, feeling that after Reagan deregulated the industry, only the wealthy could be guaranteed a good product. Public hospitals lost the support they had in earlier eras, when the dominant middle class was happy to pay taxes for these public facilities and services. The post-Reagan era saw the major health insurance companies prospering, with the giant pharmaceutical companies joining in on the high profits.
   
   Per Hartmann, we're once again entered a new Robber Barron era, with a limited number of oil companies making record profits and the average middle class family finding their purchasing power stagnating. When people complain about the rising gap between the rich and the poor, the "cons" say that it is the fault of the workers, who are less educated and less willing to work as hard as others around the world. (An extension of this can be the current arguments that too many workers were able to buy homes in the subprime market and/or that the health care system cannot "afford" to cover everyone, especially the "illegals," or that not everyone can afford to own cars or live a middle-class lifestyle.) Thus, when systems fail, the cons continue to blame the workers, while they, at the same time, fight an inheritance tax and tax increases for those who earn the most.
   
   On war, Hartmann says that even this has become a big business in America. But he points out that war is NOT an effective way to stimulate the economy. All money poured into armaments is lost once used. In contrast, building or rebuilding a bridge or road or levee or other public structure serves the public for a long time and gives us a significant return on investment.
   
   As for the Iraq War, Hartmann claims that President Bush found this to be a way to funnel public money to Halliburton, Bechtel, Fluor and other large politically connected private entities. And by convincing many that the private sector would do a better job in supporting the troops than government employees, the Bush administration oversaw the elimination of public jobs in the hundreds of thousands, in favor of private-job replacements - and at a much higher total cost. Says Hartmann, "Privatizing the military is just another way for the cons to transfer hundreds of billions of tax dollars from We the People to the corporatocracy."
   
   Hartmann covers too many areas to review in one swat. He claims that health care has been redefined as a privilege, rather than a right. He favors a single-payer, universal health care system and the strengthening of our labor unions. And there is an excellent chapter on the Social Security Trust Fund, with Hartmann pointing out the realities of a Trust Fund full of worthless IOUs. He claims the cons are purposely trying to destroy Social Security.
   
   I think the only area that I disagree with Hartmann is in the area of foreign trade and immigrant labor. He calls for us to pull out of NAFTA, CAFTA and the rest. He is for enforcing the laws against hiring illegal immigrants. He thinks, in turn, the labor done by the illegals will be done by current Americans, probably at a better wage. In this area, I find his advice simplistic and without compassion.
   
   In summary and conclusion, some other quotes from the book: "Our country has plenty of money, but the money is going to the corporatocracy, to the richest amongst us, instead of to the millions of people who - as Abraham Lincoln pointed out - actually make the country work....It's all about power....We've been conned (and screwed) enough. It's time to take back America."



5. Given the amount of praise written here in the reviews I think it would be fair to say that this book must preselect its audience. I did not find this book enlightening. Not that it did not have many good points it certainly did. I was just amazed at the flood of sloppy assumptions and illogical conclusions that it presented. Much of the evidence for arguments provided in the book relies on quotations from someone else. Should I assume that their (whomever being quoted) statement it a fact? The book spins "history" (as selectively presented)into a tangled web of accusation and muddy logic. If you consider yourself a progressive, this book you will find filled with platitudes you'll love. As an individual rights person you can both find much to hate and love in this book (though little of use). The conservatives and neo-conservatives should read this it may give them some perspective of the other side of the argument.

5 comments about The Way We'll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream.

1. great premise but falls way short with little useful future insight and plenty of opinion vs. legitimate analysis



2. Good read. Ultimately encouraging results. Would be interested in seeing his results using the same queries after this economic mess we are in gets resolved.



3. John Zogby is a tireles self-promoter. His flacks flog him as a "super-pollster', though his real-world results don't separate him from the herd.
   
   Here, Zogby attempts to articulate the "transformation of the American dream". Essentially Zogby tells you what he thinks and then, magically, produces poll results to support his contention. Who needs objectivity? Not Zogby.
   
   Zogby's personal biases, particularly political, and his ignorance are on display. He claims that Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Kennedy didn't campaign to the "lowest common denominator". First of all, Lincoln didn't campaign. Back then Presidential campaigns were waged entirely by surrogates - and Lincoln's campaign was particularly nasty. Roosevelt reveled in the dirty campaign and he was personally vindictive as well. Kenendy campaigned on a platform of lies, such as the non-existent missile gap. Nixon could not respond because it would have revealed our intelligence secrets to the Soviets.
   
   Zogby claims the three "offered broad visions and empowering promises; they appealed to the best in the electorate, not the worst". Zogby could use massive education in this regard - and yet he lectures the rest of us.
   
   Overall, this is nothing more than the posturing of a self-promoter. It is not a serious or scholarly work and is certainly devoid of any scientific value. It isn't very entertaining either.
   
   Jerry



4. His description of the population between 18-32 -- The First Globals -- was eye-opening, but without taking into account racial, socio-economic and geographic differences, many of the interpretations seemed unfounded. Many of his descriptions of my group -- the Just Do Its -- did not apply to me, nor did they seem believeable over the vast age span. I suppose readers will take out the evidence for what they already believe and dismiss the rest, but I did not take away a fresh perspective about my future.



5. This book is a survey of various polls taken by the author and his polling company, and from the results, the author makes a number of assertions that, while entertaining and encouraging, really cannot be substantiated through the poll results in an objective manner.
   
   The one overarching theme that the author presents is that today's 18-29 year-olds are the First Globals, born into a world that is more open and globalised than ever. The author posits that this generation will lead the way into a new era sans prejudice or American selfishness. The problem with this line of reasoning is that young folks have *always* been more liberal, more at ease, more anti-establishment, and more open to new ideas. Think Romeo & Juliet and the Woodstock crowd. Unfortunately, these young, open-minded, fair Democrats generally turn into selfish, pig-headed, hateful Republicans. This is what happens when young folks turn old and start popping out little kids; their thoughts turn from a global perspective to a local, protective one. The author does not even mention this natural, obvious evolution until page 197 out of his 215 page book.
   
   The book carries this assertion to the extreme. Through the results coming from a variety of polls and questions, the author believes that today's 18-29 generation is different from any other 18-29 generation in the history of the world. True, there is more globalisation, open communication through the Internet, and world visibility. However, the author needs to look no further than the 65+ year-old generation he additionally polled to see how these young folks will generally turn out. What would have been convincing is if the author had taken poll data from several decades ago to see if the attitudes of yesterday's youth are as open-minded as today's youth. The author presents only a few such older poll results from Gallup while the rest are from his organisation over the last five or so years. This lack of depth in comparing actual old data is quite disappointing.
   
   Furthermore, the author draws his conclusion in very ad hoc ways from his polls. On page 92-93, he asks a number of people if they do not support the concept of "My country, right or wrong," and while the numbers for "strongly agree" and "strongly disagree" are large and clear on the page, the author instead suggests "What's the underlying dynamic? I think the answer can be found in the high 'unsure' percentage among the young." It is as if the author is picking and choosing the numbers to back his own biases, and just to be clear on this, the "unsure" value of 14% in that example is not significantly higher than many of the other "unsure" values in other polling questions.
   
   One other thing I was very disappointed with is that the book is really written for a layman audience, and while the author spends a small portion of time in the first chapter describing margin-of-error, I really wished he had gone into more detail on the mechanics of polling and tabulation as well as the statistical theory behind his work.

5 comments about The Great Unraveling: Losing Our Way in the New Century (Updated and Expanded).

1. This book is as relevant today as it was when it was written. Most books of this type tend to have a relatively short shelf life, but this one endures. It proves the axiom about news being the first draft of history.



2. The early years of the Bush Administration are a blurry memory for me. Partly because nothing that was going on, from tax cuts to 9/11 to the shifting recession, made any sense to the common observer. The hall of illusions structuring the public conversations of the time were all a part of the great unraveling. Paul Krugman was one man with a strong flashlight in a world of foggy numbers. He cut through the confusing lies cast forth by the Bush team in order to show us what was really going on and where these cryptic economics would take us. It is eerie to read these articles years after we know the truth. He couldn't have hit the target more accurately with a patriot arrow. After swimming through this text I have become a true fan.



3. Unfortunately, a newly awarded noble peace prize winner, further adding to his armor to attack without criticism, the opposing party politics. Nothing but a rambling Bush hit piece, only three years into his presidency, and a big government proponent. Problem is he has apparently has no offspring contributing to the "cradle to grave" society he espouses. A career without raising children? Maybe I could have as many publications in my spare time. Collection of op-eds from the NTY's that have no cohesion. Sounds like a town crier for the boy who cried wolf. No doubt to his economics knowledge, however, from the halls of academia to the street are two different gigs. Time to see if the next four years, possible eight, will corroborate what he hypothesizes about the gap betweent the rich and poor. Still a good read for the open minded from both sides of the political spectrum. One must repect his credentials, at least.



4. It is frightening how Krugman's words are so applicable to the economic crisis that is happening right now.
   I had to keep checking the publication date to make sure that it was not written just in the last month.
   The policies of the current administration; the shrub who's name we dare not say out loud, even in our heads;make you want to scream, and very much out loud.
   My wish is that economics teachers were not so dry and predictable when I was in high school. Economics is such an important part of how our country is run, and why it is run, to just be a mountain of statistics.
   Read Krugman's works, and Freakonomics to start educating yourself about how it all works.
   Cheers



5. This book is a compilation of columns written by Paul Krugman mostly addressing the economy, warning of impending crises. Another words, a warning from 2004(and earlier) about what we are currently experiencing.
   
   The author is highly critical of the current administration's use of tax cuts for the wealthy as a cure for all economic ills.
   
   He also looks at companies "moving offshore" and using "fancy footwork" to evade paying taxes.
   
   Another subject is the amount of money that can be either a "modest sum" if it's a tax cut for the rich or an "unsupportable burden on the budget" if it's an obligation to retirees like Social Security or a similar program.
   
   I can see the point Mr. Krugman makes about better media sources being the business- related media like CBSMarketWatch.
   
   He also examines how assorted administration officials, particularly the president and v.p. have aquired their wealth. Their familiarity with Enron-type accounting schemes is, well, accounted for. This is directly related to the administration's hypocritical opposition to corporate and accounting reform.
   
   The major ingredients in formulating political debate in our country are :campaign finance, lobbying, and the power of money. Mr. Krugman demonstrates that point very well.
   
   He views the California energy disaster as a result of market manipulation by energy producers and traders. Enron was evidently not the only trader involved.
   
   Mr. Krugman addresses the story of his connection to Enron as a legitimate business transaction that was used as a smear tactic.
   
   
   I will sum up my impression of the book with this quote form page 129.
   "To an extent unprecedented in recent history, this is a government of, by and for corporate insiders. I'm not just talking about influence, I'm talking about personal career experience."
   
   I don't agree with Mr. Krugman's opinions on globalization, but "The Great Unraveling" is an intelligent, clear, and accurate book about Bush's policies and the resulting economic disaster.

5 comments about The New Golden Age: The Coming Revolution against Political Corruption and Economic Chaos.

1. The accredited economist and Professor of Economics tells the truth about concentrated world wealth and world government corruption that has manifested turmoil to today's civilization.
   
   In laymans terms, he explains economic principles and social infrastructure cycles which justify his hypotheis: "The Downfall of Capitalism and Communism: A New Study of History". The imbalance of resources and wealth has proliferated CEO greed and government corruption, slowly eliminating the middle-class. Dr. Batra outlines economic and social history in simple terms to bring a REAL and unavoid conclusion to our financial fate.
   
   His book does not provide hype nor fiction, but he attempts solidify his predictions with factual data. So far, his batting avg. is 90% on predictions. If you want a bite out of the Adam and Eve "apple", buy the book. It's an eye opener.



2. I learnt a lot about present World economics from this book. I recommend reading it for a better understanding of the situation we are in presently.



3. Read this book and tell me that the events currently unfolding all across America could not have been predicted. So we know that at least one person of intelligence saw the economic/geopolitical mess coming. A terrific book that has proven to be all too accurate.
   
   ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED READING FOR ALL!



4. We are now Sept, 29, 2008. I have just finished reading his book. Ravi Batra's expose of the current economic turmoil and its causes is absolutely superb. I don't need any economists' works to find some predictions neither do I expect their forecasts to be totally precise and accurate. None of us would have a crystal ball to predict the future. I simply believe he has a superbly logical approach to the facts he reveals. This is what I expect from a great economist.



5. End of October 2008 now. His predictions from two years ago are unfolding into reality quite relentlessly, on a week by week basis. I learned a lot from this book. I don't know if I can quite buy his theory of cycles, but his incredible success at predicting world events over the past 20 years give him a lot of credibility. He does bring hope that everything will turn out well eventually, but looks like there's going to be a lot of pain before that happens.