Book Description
First published to media acclaim in October 2003, Trading Up revealed how today's middle-class consumers are seeking higher levels of quality, taste, and aspiration than had ever been possible before—in their choices of cars and clothing, vodka and beer, golf clubs and dolls, and much more. The book identified a major opportunity for entrepreneurs and innovators, managers and marketers, in every category of consumer goods and services. Now Michael Silverstein and Neil Fiske have thoroughly revised this BusinessWeek bestseller with new research and new insights into the still- growing phenomenon of trading up.
Customer Reviews:
Great Insight, but Could Be Shorter.......2007-08-15
This book is a great reference to trends in our society and the new buying habits. There are great "buzzwords" and alot of statistics quoted. However, as you read on, there is a great deal of repetition and I believe that this entire book could be summarized in 25 pages.
Wish I had more time............2007-03-30
I have only just started to read the book, but my time is limited so I haven't really gotten to enjoy it. But what I have read so far is great!!! I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in what makes Americans tick!
Consumer goods startups must read.......2007-01-07
I've been working for years to develop what Silverstein and Fiske describe as New Luxury products. I wish I had this book in 1999 when I started! While I have come to the same conclusions and I find that this book validates my concept and strategy like no other, the real value for me has been the better organization of the concept and suggested processes than I've been able to develop on my own. When you read the acknowledgments you'll see a huge list of people and resources that few of us entrepreneurs have available. This gives the book incredible depth and value.
Unfortunately the authors never mention ethnographic research although they are doing that science in an ad hoc way. They may not be aware of the applicability of ethnology to market and product research. Sure, ethnology was developed for studying remote tribes but mix this with neuroscience and environmental behavior research and business gets interesting.
A major feature of this book that we rarely see in biz books is the chapter at the end that explains their sources in a more useful way than the typical end notes. It would be nice if more authors would explain their sources and reasonings rather than just list sources.
- jim
Retail Marketing 101.......2006-10-03
This well written book basically outlines the consumer market as it is today: that most consumers, while buying basic necessities at discount retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, don't mind paying a little extra for luxury goods they feel are worth it in some way. It's a fascinating read for anybody interested in the retail business or in marketing. As somebody who is currently in marketing and who worked at Bath & Body Works for a number of years (of which one of the book's authors, Neil Fiske, is the CEO), it was interesting to learn why the store went from a country, home-spun theme in the 1990's to the upscale, urban "apothecary" it is today. Though Bath & Body Works was never used as a case study in the book, the concept of trading up is certainly applied to the store (thanks to Fiske's leadership).
Besides its commentary on the current retail market, the book presents an insightful view of our modern American society. We live in such an affluent society and presented with so many choices that we have the luxury to "trade up". Even those with relatively low incomes can trade up on a few items. It's all about the person's priorities and how they choose to distribute their money.
All this affluence and trading up has led to a higher quality of life for all. While those with low incomes are able to buy decent products at low prices at Wal-Mart and Target, middle and upper income individuals can shop at those same stores and use the extra money they've saved to buy higher-end goods.
My one caveat about the book is its overabundance of marketing jargon. Somebody outside of the marketing and business field may not understand some of the terminology. But the book doesn't seem to be written for the average lay person in any case. Just thought I'd bring that up for what it's worth.
Trading Up.......2006-09-30
Did you ever wonder why it is becoming so much more difficult to find products that either aren't luxury or low-end? The authors explain how consumers are selectively trading up for products that they value and trading down in other areas, leaving the middle. The authors use case studies to make their case. For example, some consumers are willing to shell out $2000 for a washer and dryer. Not any washer and dryer but the latest side load offering from Whirlpool. Considering that you can get a washer and dryer for $400 to $600 this is quite a premium. The authors explain how companies if they can provide a ladder of value for a product can entice consumers to trade-up, even for something as humdrum as a washer and dryer. The authors back up their concepts with marketplace facts as well as socioeconomic factors such as the increased number of women in the workforce and the state of the family.
Book Description
The Essential Evangelical Parallel Bible enables readers to easily compare a quartet of modern translations that span the full range of approaches, from the most precise and literal to the most dynamic and reader-friendly. The New King James Version and English Standard Version permit close word-study, while the New Living Translation and The Message present the text as its earliest audiences might have experienced it. The complete texts of the four translations featured in this volume are conveniently displayed on facing pages (two translations per page), with the same set of verses on each one. The EEPB is particularly noteworthy because it is the first parallel Bible to feature the updated NLT text.
Customer Reviews:
This is a MUST HAVE..........2007-08-27
For anyone who is seriously hungry for the Word of God, this is a must have! Seeing the differences between the translations is extremely helpful and brings new depth to study!
Well-organized and extremely valuable collection.......2007-08-23
I've found this Bible to be a valued resource in my devotionals and Bible studies. Recognizing that any English translation will not uphold the same standard of trustworthiness as the original languages, I find that for any given passage, some translations are true to the spirit of the word and some are out of place--but no translation seems to get it right (or wrong) every time. So, I decided that it would serve me well to have many translations to reference in my studies.
Now, I don't propose to "pick-and-choose" translations based on one's preferences--rather to compare phrasing, consistency with other explicit passages, and faithfulness to established Christian doctrine in order to have the truest picture painted. This is where the EEPB excels. I specifically bought this Bible to use in coordination with the Comparative Study Bible (KJV, AMP, NASB95, and NIV). The draw of the EEPB for me was the inclusion of the NKJV, ESV, and NLT. Each translation/transliteration has its own character and its own leanings. I, being devoted to reformed theology, certainly appreciate the literal translation style of the NKJV and ESV. But, I do also greatly appreciate the wording of many passages in the NLT, while overlooking the obviously Arminian slant of certain other texts. The biggest surprise I found was the Message paraphrase. I would be reluctant to endorse the public reading or devotional study of a contemporary-language paraphrase in itself, but as a parallel commentary to an actual translation, The Message may prove to be quite helpful. Most impressive was the introduction and purpose for the Message. It explains Eugene Peterson's desire to present the Word in a readable format--not replace accurate study Bibles. This is comforting considering that a paraphrase inherently carries with it the theological agenda of the author--thereby stunting the depth of insight a student might achieve in study. But, for the purpose of getting disinterested readers started in discovering the riches of God's word, The Message could prove to be a useful tool.
I love the format, it's easy to follow and moving from one version to another to read the same passage is very fluid. While I share in a common complaint about parallel Bibles--that the print is very small--I recognize the need for smaller print in order to make the size of the book manageable. Nevertheless, all things considered, this Bible is extremely useful and wonderfully-made.
I Love It!.......2007-08-02
I really love this bible! I'm able to look at the different versions, translations. To read the different wording, has given me a better understanding!!
I'm looking to purchase two more here in the near future. My girlfriends love it also! Thanks
Best Bible Ever!!.......2007-03-10
I really love this bible! It is so cool to be able to check a passage written in four translations, all on the same page!! I used to carry my traditional bible translation (NIV study) and The Message version around all the time to compare verses (I often find the Message speaks to me at a deeper level than other translations), and it was cumbersome. Now I just use this one bible most of the time, and use my old study bible occasionally. The book is well constructed, and the font size is not as small as I thought it would be. Parallel bibles are a great idea, and this is the best one I have found.
A really useful book.......2007-01-26
I appreciate the thoughness of having these parallel books together. It has complete texts, and thin paper. However, the thin paper makes reading difficult as the print from the opposite side shows through. It is a good reference, but not for lenghthy reading.
Book Description
Praise for previous editions of The State of Working America "The State of Working America remains unrivaled as the most-trusted source for a comprehensive understanding of how working Americans and their families are faring in today's economy."-Robert B. Reich
"It is the inequality of wealth, argue the authors, rather than new technology (as some would have it), that is responsible for the failure of America's workplace to keep pace with the country's economic growth. The State of Working America is a well-written, soundly argued, and important reference book."-Library Journal
"If you want to know what happened to the economic well-being of the average American in the past decade or so, this is the book for you. It should be required reading for Americans of all political persuasions."-Richard Freeman, Harvard University "A truly comprehensive and useful book that provides a reality check on loose statements about U.S. labor markets. It should be cheered by all Americans who earn their living from work."-William Wolman, chief economist, CNBC's Business Week "The State of Working America provides very valuable factual and analytic material on the economic conditions of American workers. It is the very best source of information on this important subject."-Ray Marshall, University of Texas, former Secretary of Labor
"An indispensable work . . . on family income, wages, taxes, employment, and the distribution of wealth."-Simon Head, The New York Review of Books "No matter what political camp you're in, this is the single most valuable book I know of about the state of America, period. It is the most referenced, most influential resource book of its kind."-Jeff Madrick, author, The End of Affluence "This book is the single best yardstick for measuring whether or not our economic policies are doing enough to ensure that our economy can, once again, grow for everybody."-Richard A. Gephardt "The best place to review the latest developments in changes in the distribution of income and wealth."-Lester Thurow
The State of Working America, prepared biennially since 1988 by the Economic Policy Institute, includes a wide variety of data on family incomes, wages, taxes, unemployment, wealth, and poverty-data that enable the authors to closely examine the effect of the economy on the living standards of the American people.
Customer Reviews:
the hobo philosopher.......2007-06-27
This book is exactly what I wanted. I'm a part-time journalist writing for a small town newspaper and I like numbers. Nothing is better than a percentage or a statistic to support your story. This book has them all and an explanation to support their accuracy or inaccuracy. It is a great tool. It is a must for anyone who wants to know "The State of Working America" - which I do.
Change Is Needed Now and Here's Why.......2007-04-30
If you can wade your way through the statistics, this book is enlightening and edifying, often sad. The commentary and interpretation help clarify the wealth of information. It graphically illustrates that nothing has changed after all these years of hope and promises for change: the rich keep getting richer, the poor keep getting poorer, poverty is endemic to our tired, unimaginative economic system, etc., etc., etc.
This book caused me to re-read Kevin Phillips' book "The Politics of Rich and Poor," published in 1990. It provides statistical and anecdotal evidence of the negative effects of Reagan-omics on our social system, much as Bush-enomics has. I even went farther back and re-read Michael Harrington's "The Other America," the seminal, monumental book of its time in 1962 about poverty in America.
These books along with so many others make you ask, as we've asked so many times, "When will it ever change?" I guess making people aware of the problem, although it's readily apparent in everyday life, is the place to start. These books, representing 45 years of rhetoric, make you agonizingly aware that things have gone nowhere but down. So, read all of them.
Book Description
Descriptions of scenic, vibrant places, as well as essential information about the resources and activities available in the Southwest for retirees.
Customer Reviews:
Very Informative.......2006-02-17
This book is one of the better written on the southwest for retirement or relocation purposes. It gives you a lot of information to compare various areas of the state. It also allows you to compare one state to another, example AZ to NM.
Southwest Retirement.......2005-08-21
If you have lived in the Southwest (SW) in the past or have vacationed there, then you know what a magical place it is. Despite the enormous growth in the past few decades, there are still wonderful towns that have not changed and are ideal locations for retirement. My wife and I are trying to make the retirement location decision at this time and I have purchased at least a dozen books about retirement cities and towns. Most of the books focus on the financial aspects, some are merely a compilation of data from the census, FBI, Dept. of Agriculture, etc. Lots of numbers, but no other information.
"Choose The Southwest for retirement" provides the important data about each town, mentions the financial economics, and uniquely paints a picture for each location. Having lived there in the 60s and visited frequently, we thought we knew all about the SW. What nice surprises we discovered in this book!
Great, but...........2004-07-03
The book provides a fine overview of information every retiree will want to know about the communities the author includes in his survey: cultural life, health care, housing, and so forth. However, this region is the fastest growing in the country, with hordes of early retiring baby-boomers as well as Californians leaving for the cheaper, less congested Four Corners states. This means housing prices and the general cost of living have been skyrocketing in these states. Therefore, editions need to be updated with greater frequency for readers to get a better sense of what it will cost them to move into this region and what they might expect future living expenses to be.
The region also has been afflicted with the worst drought in memory, and with worldwide climatic collapse apparently well underway, perhaps the worst drought ever. A most crucial piece of information is missing in the author's descriptions of these Southwestern communities, therefore: intelligence on local water supplies. As it is, much of the Southwest is teetering dangerously on the edge, with water harder and harder to come by and populations soaring. It goes without saying that present and future life in this most beautifual part of America is going to be impacted profoundly by these changes. Before investing large portions of their retirement in purchasing property in places like Phoenix, Tucson, Salt Lake City, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and Ft. Collins, readers need to know where and how local water supplies are obtained and what the long-term outlook is for what might be an ecological disaster in the making.
Choose the Southwest for Retirement.......2000-07-14
This book is similiar to his others which I have read and is quite good, but his omission of Henderson Nevada (2d fastest growing in Nevada) and Boulder City Both of which are rated #1 in "Retirement Places Rated" makes it less than complete.
Book Description
Have you ever wished you could . . . . . . quit your boring job? . . . take a year off to travel the world? . . . own your own home? . . . move to the country? . . . retire early? . . . have more joy and contentment in your everyday life?
Stop wishing and start reading How to Survive Without a Salary. Since its first publication over 20 years ago, this book has helped many make their dreams come true through the "Conserver Lifestyle."
Author Charles Long shows that by changing from consumers to conservers, we can regain control over the way we live. Conservers don't worry about losing their jobs or not having enough for their retirement. They do work that they love instead of settling for whatever pays the rent. They have discovered that it is possible to survive, and even thrive, without a regular salary.
How to Survive Without a Salary shows you how you can create your own practical plan for leaving the world of wages by
-avoiding consumer traps -earning casual income -budgeting effectively -finding alternatives to high retail prices -saving on taxes and insurance.
If you want to leave the rat race behind, have been forced to leave it behind, or simply want to get away from it all for a while, How to Survive Without a Salary offers a valuable combination of inspiration and practical advice that will show how you can survive economically without compromising your values or your happiness.
Customer Reviews:
Get out of the fast lane...stop keeping up with the Jones!.......2006-08-30
This book was laugh out loud funny in several places, but also has some interesting ideas about how to live one's life in an enjoyable, but far less expensive way. Much of it I had heard before, but never seen in such an easily accessible and funny/easy to read format. As simple as much of the ideas here are...and ANYONE can use them...living the "conserver" lifestyle is not for those already living at or below the poverty line...as his "method" points out you need to be out of debt and have savings and investments set up to live this way practically. So, really...like several other books I've read recently (most notably The Joy of Not Working) this is really a book for people making 30,000-60,000 (or more) and are tired of the rat race and looking for a new and "better" way to live and enjoy life.
I also think it's important to point out that How to Survive Without a Salary is NOT about living with out a job or some other form of income, it's really about taking a few steps away from the strangle hold of corporate America and living for one's self and one's family...this book isn't so much about dropping out as it is about opting out to another type of job that is more conducive to living a good family life and comes with a lot of funny anecdotes if you do it "right." I think maybe the average person working at poverty level MIGHT able to do this, but it would most likely take 5x as long as he predicts and would be a serious hardship for families (not so much for single people or married without kids couples).
What I think this book does best is demonstrate an alternate way of thinking about how we live and how we spend our money. Some of the best advice here is the logical and oft repeated, don't buy it on credit...but also he admonishes us not to run out and buy things RIGHT when the need arises (if at all possible), because often, an alternative solution will arise (sale, used item given, ect...) that winds up saving the person a great deal of money. Also a warning...the author is Canadian and this book does not deal with the health care dilemma that most of us in the US are faced with, so from that perspective, this book would require some serious thinking for the average American working class family to undertake...because we don't get health care for free. That said, I would definitely add this to my library...but as I am currently living at poverty level, I am at a place where I have to figure out extra income to make this type of life a reality for myself, at least the parts that I would like to incorporate into *my* plan.
Cheaper and Cheaper with each Edition!.......2005-07-28
I have followed Charles Long's two books on living outside of the "normal" suburban grind for years and have purchased the latest editions as they are printed. He is an extremely well-written author, a pleasure to read, with thoughtful and incisive comments on living a life without a salary (NOT without money). Quite a few people you know are living without a salary: those self-employed tradespeople, lawyers, doctors, etc. count on their own skills to bring in the money, not a salary from a company. These books give me many new ideas, no matter how many times I've read them. I've heard variations on his past themes from countless other sources. A very good read, indeed.
The CONSERVER Lifestyle VS the Consumer Lifestyle.......2004-12-07
+++++
This humorous but practical and easy to comprehend book or guide, by Canadian journalist and writer, Charles Long, is about being a conserver. A conserver is a person who learns how to get by with less and make do with what he/she has. A person who lives as a conserver lives "the conserver lifestyle."
Despite the book's title, it is actually a book for everyone: for those employed, for those without a salary, city dwellers, and country dwellers. Or to put it another way this is a book for everyone "concerned with the diminishing purchase power of their dollar."
Long practices what he preaches! All the philosophy and economic theory behind the conserver lifestyle came from him (and his family) living and surviving without a salary.
This eleven chapter book, as the author states, revolves around three key premises:
(I) Control expenditures and save money. The author shows you how in his four chapters entitled:
1. The Secondhand Market
2. Auction Buying
3. Alternatives to Buying
4. Cheap Tips
(II) Income of some sort is still required (for those who decide to survive without a salary). This income does not have to be made through employment. The author has a full chapter entitled:
5. Casual Income
(III) Preparing yourself for the conserver lifestyle takes time (especially for those deciding to survive without a salary). The chapters covering this are entitled:
6. Assessing Yourself
7. Needs
8. Getting Ready
There is even a chapter on how to answer questions if you decide to live the conserver lifestyle without a salary. It's entitled:
9. What Do You Do For a Living? (and other difficult questions).
So far I have mentioned nine chapters. Even though all chapters mention this, one chapter is devoted exclusively to the philosophy of the conserver lifestyle. (This chapter also discusses other relevant topics.) It's entitled:
10. What's the Catch?
Another chapter discusses taxes & insurance and how to save on them. It's entitled:
11. Caesar's Due.
There are three problems I had with this book:
First, there are no (foot)notes (or hardly any). True the book profiles the author's personal experiences but I did notice some numbers and statistics given that were not given credit.
Second, the author sidesteps the issue of health care. Perhaps it is because he is Canadian and they have universal health coverage. However, countries like the United States do not have this and since health care is expensive, it would be difficult for most Americans to leave a salaried position. They, however, still could be conservers and live the conserver lifestyle but with a salary.
Third, although this is not absolutely essential, it would have been helpful to have a brief summary in the form of a list at the end of each chapter.
Note that this book has no index but since its table of contents is so comprehensive, an index is not really needed.
Finally, there is another book that that gives a slightly different and perhaps a more comprehensive spin on this subject. It's called "Your Money or Your Life" by Dominguez and Robin. Another useful book is "The Joy of Not Working" by Zelinski.
In conclusion, this is a book that outlines an alternative lifestyle called the conserver lifestyle. Discover for yourself why "[t]he greatest security is not in having the most, but in needing the least!"
(revised edition first published 1996; preface; 11 chapters; main narrative 200 pages)
+++++
Some Good Ideas.......2004-09-30
This book is an introduction to living well while living cheaply. Long uses the term "conserver" to denote a person whose philosophy of life is to live better by spending less money. The book outlines how one can become a conserver and ideas for ways to manage well with less money. A conserver who achieves some measure of success at cutting expenses will soon find that needs for income are also reduced, hence a salary is no longer necessary. At that point, the conserver can quit working for a living since "casual income" will suffice. Long also provides some ideas of how to gain a casual income. Thus, the way to live without a salary is first to cut expenses, then eliminate debt, and with the new low expense lifestyle, many people will find that they no longer need a full-time job to get by.
The structure of the book is as follows: introduction to the conserver lifestyle, budgeting, needs, identifying the time when a salary is no longer necessary, casual income, buying secondhand goods, buying at auctions, alternatives to buying, taxes, insurance and retirement, and the macro-economics of the conserver lifestyle. The book does not include a list of references or an index. There are no illustrations.
Long makes some points that are well worth writing on the family bulletin board. "There is more to be gained more easily by reducing costs than increasing income," he argues in the first chapter. When sorting out needs from wants, Long notes that we must consider the maintenance and storage costs as well as additional effort required to use the item when adding up the true cost of an item that we purchase. "Given all the aggravation, do I really want it?" he has us consider before we make a purchase. Some of his soundest advice about purchasing items is to simply procrastinate. Quite often, if you put off the purchase for a while instead of going out and buying something when the need first arises, you may stumble across an equally good alternative solution that doesn't require a purchase after all, or perhaps a slightly used second-hand item at a fraction of the original price. Long has another great rule of thumb that applies to debt: "Borrow to buy resalable things whose value is inflating faster than the rate of interest on the debt." By this measure, taking out a loan to go on vacation is a ridiculous idea. So is putting a stereo system or computer on a credit card. Car loans also don't make the cut. Real estate, however, is another story. Long cites several examples of people living without salaries whose income comes entirely from real estate investments.
For me, most of the useful ideas in this book were in the first half of the book. I found the chapter on auctions a bit strange. In this chapter, Long goes into great detail about how auctions are run, how to inspect items before the sale, and how to make bids. I expected that he would mention how a person could make a casual income by going to auctions, buying items cheaply, and then reselling them later for profit. He tells us that you often end up having to buy a whole pile of items at an auction just to get the one or two things that you need from the pile, but he doesn't include suggestions of how to get rid of the things you don't need. With an emphasis on acquiring items cheaply through auctions, yard sales, and free shelves at the transfer stations, but no mention of how to get rid of unwanted stuff, there's a danger of filling your house to overflowing with cheap stuff. There's a fine line between being a conserver and being a packrat, and from his descriptions, it doesn't sound like Long keeps that idea prominent with his own family. Also, in several places, he mentions getting used appliances cheaply, but he doesn't note how this can be counter-productive for minimizing expenses, since new appliances are so much more energy efficient than old ones. In fact, conservation of energy and natural resources is one topic that doesn't receive much attention in this book. A true conserver would seek to save money by reducing energy consumption even if it requires some additional initial investment.
Overall, I found parts of the book interesting. Since there is more of an emphasis on acquiring things cheaply than not acquiring things or getting rid of unwanted things, this book takes a different approach than books about the simplicity lifestyle. Nevertheless, most of the overall suggestions and ideas will be useful for those seeking to live a better life by switching to the slow lane.
Live well - spend less - save more - be happier.......2004-08-04
I borrowed this book from the library and laughed so hard when the author tipped the reader who borrowed rather than bought his book. I haven't been able to quit my salaried job--yet--but I've learned to practice frugality thanks to my student days. I'm also an environmentalist -- no plastic shopping bag please! and am appalled by the garbage we all produce. This is why I love this book -- save money, save the world, save your sanity.
Charles Long has helped me appreciate that I don't have to be a slave to my job all the days of my healthy-enough-to-work life, and even gave me a few tips I hadn't thought of for furthering the conserver lifestyle. It's great to know that I'm on track and it helps to save scarce resources, even if I'm not as cheap as he is. (I would have put down a piece of plywood on that hole in his floor long before he scrounged up that grate.) Folks, the best things in life (like family time) are FREE. So is all the *stuff* you can get for free (or nearly so) from this throwaway society....!
Book Description
The first of two classic studies that examined the daily life of a typical small american city-in actuality, Muncie, Indiana-in the mid-1920s, using the approach of social anthropology. Of enduring interest to students of SOCIOLOGY (740), these works inspired an acclaimed six-part television series. Foreword by Clark Wissler; Index.
Customer Reviews:
Very interesting and important book.......2003-01-27
Middletown is a very interesting and important work of anthropology, sociology and history. Not just because it's the first time anthropological techniques were applied to a study of a single American city, but also Lynd's findings provide an interesting look at how by the time of his writings in the 1920s, things between then and now haven't changed in certain respects. Lynd reports disputes between parents and children over the use of the family autombile, the children out too late at parties and those parties not breaking up until the wee hours of the morning. All of this is certainly still prevalent today in many American families. Lynd also discusses how many people in "Middletown" did not vote in the 1922 elections and were cynical about politicians in general. This feeling again, is quite prevalent in American politics today.
Lynd's book serves to support the cliche, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
For anybody who thinks that the problems of American society are new and caused by a decline in morality due to technology and other recent influences, get this book. Lynd will show you that this "decline" is not new nor caused by recent outside influences such as TV, the Internet. movies or music.
A New Type of History.......2001-12-23
When this book was written, it was absolutely revolutionary: it was the first time someone had used anthropological tecniques on a modern American town! The authors studied newspapers, visible trends, and interviews with many of the inhabitants of Muncie, Indiana (which they picked and renamed "Middletown" because it was supposed to be an average American town). What they created was a vibrant picture of modern America.
Now, seventy years later, the book is an incredibly important historical work about the 1920's. Yet it's also a great read: my favorite part was the chapter where all the teenagers complain about how their parents never let them do anything, and the parents complain about how their teenagers have too much freedom and are probably getting into bad things.
I definately reccomend this book to anyone who is interested about the 1920's. Even if you don't like the book, you'll understand why Muncie, Indiana is used in so many pop culture references to average mid-western towns!
Customer Reviews:
Living Cheaply.......2007-03-21
There is a lot of good information on how to live in Mexico if you can't make it financially in the US. Not really a book for those who are looking for more in living in Mexico than a country you can afford to live in.
The author doesn't have to bad mouth America to make his point on why living in Mexico is a viable option.
I wouldn't buy the book, unless you can't afford to.
Thorough and to the point.......2004-04-03
If you need a pragmatic guide on how to resettle there, look no further. You need to have a strong knowledge of Mexico to really enjoy it though, or buy a country guide as well.
Living Well.......2003-06-15
Mr. Luboff has written all about how he was able to retire to a small artist community on the West coast of Mexico. He warns about the potential pitfalls that could get in the way of retirees from the North as well as providing insights to the wonders that Mexico holds in store. There is information to assist in relocation as well as how to prepare for the different lifestyle. However, it is lacking as Mr. Lubber really only speaks about living in the region where he does.
This is an excellent book if you are researching places to retire on an international level. However, don't plan on using it as a step-by-step guide for your move. Many of the websites and other contact information have fallen out-of-date as well as the information regarding technological advances in the country. However, way of life has changed little over time.
Thoroughly Researched. Excellent information........2001-06-27
Ken Luboff has done a 1st class job in laying out the realities of moving to Mexico. He is without bias, is realistic and clearly thoroughly understands Mexico and her people. Anyone contemplating moving to Mexico, or just trying it out, should read this book. It is expansive, sensible as well as fun. My advice is: don't go to Mexico without this book in your suitcase. From Mexico's tulmultuos history to dealing with the locals, shopping, health and eating out, Luboff has covered it all. I recommend this book even for people going to Mexico for a vacation. For those moving there, or thinking about it, this book is a must. A book that is invaluable in any reference list, and a book that is a great deal of fun to read.
VERY DISAPOINTED.......2001-05-30
Like most books on retiring in Mexico this book really is no different. I faxed over 30 listings included in his book and all weren't delivered as the fax numbers were wrong. I wanted info on Spanish speaking school, where they were, how to contact them, and the costs. Non of this information was available. They talked about inexpensive rentals but no info on who to contact. The title sounds great...but really gives little help to one who plans on retiring in Mexico. Very disapointed.
Book Description
A leading economic journalist explains why Washington's responses to globalization have created a global worker surplus that undermines both American workers and those in developing nations.
As evidenced by the WTO riots in Seattle in December 1999, there is a volatile debate among Americans over how the new world economy affects our standards of living and our country's chances for future prosperity. With giant multinational companies based in the U.S. and other wealthy countries transferring ever more factories and labs to poorer countries, the fear is that slave-wage workers overseas are undermining the bargaining power of labor in the industrialized world.
As evidenced by the WTO riots in Seattle in December 1999, there is a volatile debate among Americans over how the new world economy affects our standards of living and our country's chances for future prosperity. With giant multinational companies based in the U.S. and other wealthy countries transferring ever more factories and labs to poorer countries, the fear is that slave-wage workers overseas are undermining the bargaining power of labor in the industrialized world.
In this book Alan Tonelson explains how a competition has emerged in which countries with the weakest workplace safety laws, the lowest taxes, and the toughest unionization laws win investment from American and European countries. Tonelson argues that this "race to the bottom" of labor standards has been the driving force behind the decline of American living standards for the past quarter century, and, as we have already begun to see, will cause even bigger problems for the worldwide economy as it continues.
Tonelson analyzes how the entry of such population giants as China, India, and Brazil into the global market have added fuel to the eroding labor standards. He reveals how an ever larger share of the foreign competition faced by American laborers is hitting not just fields such as apparel and toys, but many of America's highest wage industries such as aerospace and software. And he describes how the reeducation and retraining programs that political leaders say is the remedy to the problem will do nothing to help most Americans cope with competition from the global workforce.
A lively, provocative guide to the new global economy, The Race to the Bottom fills the gap of hard evidence in readable form in the globalization debate, providing the guidebook that American workers have been waiting for, and the indictment that our economic and policy establishments have been dreading.
Customer Reviews:
Dated would like to see a new updated edition.......2007-01-02
I'd like to see this book be updated so that it addresses current conditions, as it is now quite dated. Many of the premises have not come to pass, although some have. The global economy is booming, but how is the U.S. economy really doing considering the savings rate in the U.S. was below 0 last year and the trade deficit is so large? Unemployment in the U.S. is down, but what is the nature of the jobs workers in the U.S. are doing now, in comparison to the nature of those jobs when the book was first written? What predictions have come to pass and which ones have not come to pass?
Real free trade is based on comparative advantage,not absolute advantage and offsets.......2006-01-17
Tonelson has done an excellent job of empirically demonstrating the irreparable harm being done to the American industrial manufacturing sector, resulting from the pseudo-free trade argument that currently masquerades by the name of globalization.The entire globalization argument rests on an appeal to absolute advantage(for example,American firms should locate their factories and production facilities where labor costs are the lowest).Free trade is based on comparative advantage,not absolute advantage.American firms are free to locate production facilities in foreign countries as long as the output produced from these facilities is used to supply the foreign market.The output can't be shipped back to the home market without violating the basic rules of comparative advantage.Any requirement by a foreign country that ,in order for American firms to locate production facilities in that country,the American firms must hand over or share their technological breakthroughs,inventions,patents,or innovations involves a direct violation of the theory of trade between counties based on the existing comparative advantages that exist in both countries industries.Unfortunately,Tonelson does not spell this out clearly,although his discussions on pp.97-98 demonstate that the correct definition of comparatve advantage has been replaced by one that has no connection to the meaning of the term as used by Adam Smith or David Ricardo.I have deducted one star for this omission.
Kaleem needs and education!.......2005-12-04
Kaleem 9984....LOL....THIS dudes a hypocrit! First of all...a foreigner (who's probably an Indian programmer) is not a impartial reviewer. I am a programmer and work with numerous foreigners...BTW they are not as talented as rumor has it. They frequently lie on their resumes to get into positions and...as evidenced by the exporation of NUMEROUS PROGRAMMING jobs back to India...they are not loyal to this country or any corporation that hired them on the H1b visa (a political bill that was fronted by american corporations). This book however...is right on target.
Kaleem should speak in terms of the substance of the book..and not of other reviewers who may differ from his opinion. I believe, as many americans, that we should no longer import items from other countries...we don't need them.
Whats wrong with amazon.......2005-11-11
Whats wrong with Amazon how could they put review by this person - " John W. Runyan III "Too much time on my hands " in spotlight. It's clearly evident he is one of those people who have some small town mentality, come with a preconceived opinion which will never change and probably didnt read the book and wrote a review.
By the way talking of indian programmers, I am a development manager and work with lots of them. They are helping our economy in many ways. I seen that most americans do not go to school, do not have strong mathematical background, do not have strong analytical skills, this is where the indians are useful. Most of them I see have their Master's degree and often have strong engineering backgrounds. If you are a programmer you would know how useful these skills can be. In my experience americans are generally good with the quality-assurance, management level or business side of work. Leave the hard-core intense programming to the foreigners, they seem to do it better.
No better book for understanding the truth about "free trade.......2004-08-05
I have ready many books about globalization and its effects, but Alan Tonelson's "The Race to the Bottom: Why a Worldwide Worker Surplus and Uncontrolled Free Trade are Sinking American Living Standards" is the ONLY book to explain the truth behind globalization. If the US public understood just simple facts, like the difference between producer goods and consumer goods, it would be clear why the US has the most massive trade deficit in history; and the US public would demand that congress act to stop the fast track legislation given to the president. (This is being carried out now by Bush, but was negotiated under Clinton. In other words, both parties are complicit in the destruction of the US middle class.)
As Tonelson says, "Current globalization policies have plunged the great majority of U.S. workers into a great worldwide race to the bottom, into a no-win scramble for work and livelihoods with hundreds of millions of their already impoverished counterparts across the globe. In addition, by sapping the earnings power of U.S. consumers, who are almost single-handedly propping up the world economy despite their sagging earnings, continuing this race could all too easily bring the global financial house of cards tumbling down."
Tonelson doesn't merely make a statement like this, he proves it with expert economic analysis that he explains clearly to the lay public.
Read this book and act on it, before the U.S. middle-class is further eroded.
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Article 27: The Right to an Adequate Standard of Living (A Commentary on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)
Asbjorn Eide
Manufacturer: Martinus Nijhoff
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ASIN: 9004148787 |
Book Description
This volume constitutes a commentary on Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is part of the series, A Commentary on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which provides an article by article analysis of all substantive, organizational and procedural provisions of the CRC and its two Optional Protocols. For every article, a comparison with related human rights provisions is made, followed by an in-depth exploration of the nature and scope of State obligations deriving from that article. The series constitutes an essential tool for actors in the field of children's rights, including academics, students, judges, grassroots workers, governmental, non- governmental and international officers. The series is sponsored by the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office.
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Work, Consumption and Culture: Affluence and Social Change in the Twenty-first Century
Paul Ransome
Manufacturer: Sage Publications Ltd
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ASIN: 0761959858 |
Book Description
The central question in
Work, Consumption and Culture is whether consumption has now displaced production as the defining factor in the lives of those in the industrialized West. This book offers a comprehensive review of the key issues in the production/consumption debate, and where it might lead in the future.
Key to Paul Ransome’s argument is the hypothesis that affluence is the crucial factor in the shift away from work and towards consumption. Uniquely emphasizing the links between work, consumption and culture, rather than keeping each element separate, the author looks at:
- the changing significance of work in society
- the meaning, growth and significance of affluence
- the growing importance of consumption as a source of identity and its implications
the impact of the shift to consumption on work/life balance
Work, Consumption and Culture engages the reader with its lively debating style. It is an essential introduction for sociology and cultural studies students on courses relating to consumption and the role of work in contemporary society.
`This book offers a balanced account of the changing importance of work and consumption in contemporary industrial society. Clearly written, the author identifies the central role that affluence plays in the relationship between work and consumption, and in the development of social life and individual identity' -
Professor Paul Blyton, Cardiff Business School
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