Editorial Review

Essayist and cultural critic Barbara Ehrenreich has always specialized in turning received wisdom on its head with intelligence, clarity, and verve. With some 12 million women being pushed into the labor market by welfare reform, she decided to do some good old-fashioned journalism and find out just how they were going to survive on the wages of the unskilled--at $6 to $7 an hour, only half of what is considered a living wage. So she did what millions of Americans do, she looked for a job and a place to live, worked that job, and tried to make ends meet. Read more

Reviews (979)

Next week on The Simple Life, Barb joins Paris and Nicole for shift work at the local Wallyworld!
She Made It Even Harder To Get By
Ehrenreich is the kind of journalist I despise. One who thinks her insights are so important that it doesn't matter how much she inconveniences others to make her point.
Bring your own grain of salt.
This is not a bad book, but it's not a good one. Although I certainly gained some insight from reading this book, I was disappointed (and surprised) by Ms. Ehrenreich's (or the editor's?) lack of fact-checking/ attention to detail, and/or embellishment.
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Subjects:  1. Government - U.S. Government    2. Labor    3. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    4. Labor Economics (General)    5. Minimum wage    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Poverty    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - Social Theory    11. United States    12. Unskilled labor    13. Labour economics    14. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (20)

Great, Succinct Expose of anti-American Corporate Actions (4.5*s)
Many predicted that so-called free trade agreements, which ignore social, economic, and legal imbalances between First World and Third World countries, would be disastrous for American workers. Senator Dorgan was one of the critics of handing corporations a ticket for a ride on cheap labor, and he and others were right. The book is an easy to read expose of the consequences of free-trade. Wow, what an eye-opener...
The Senator takes some pretty complex subjects and boils them down so that average folks like me can digest them.I always had the impression that outsourcing was bad and that corporations did some shady things to maximize their profits.Now I'm convinced.This book shows me the money and names names.The truly surprising thing was exactly how much of an accomplice our own government has been.Read it--and vote accordingly.

EXPORT GOODS, NOT JOBS!
Senator Dorgan is not one of your wishy-washy politicians. He takes a stand on NAFTA and CAFTA: He's against them.He makes it clear that we're not just sending low-paid work to other countries, but we're rapidly losing our manufacturing jobs. Those are jobs that paid well and provided thousands of Americans with middle-class life-styles.
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Subjects:  1. Contracting out    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. International Relations - Trade & Tariffs    4. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    5. Labor supply    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. United States    10. Political Science / International Relations / Trade & Tariffs   

Reviews (10)

"Where did all the good ones go?"
Find a Parade, Jump in Front, Declare Yourself Grand Marshall
The "research" that the authors quote is their own but their "findings" are nothing more than information that has been reported ad nauseum in journal articles and news stories over the past several years.The book could have been condensed drastically without losing any of the points.Thelast 25% of the book is a "discussion guide" that may be more valuable than the guts of the book.
Thought provoking book.
Good analysis of the problem and some suggestions for solutions.Employers are going to have to use older workers or go without in the near term.Raises some real questions about the importance of "guest workers" to the continued success of our economy.The labor has to come from somewhere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Human Resources & Personnel Management    5. Labor    6. Labor Force    7. Labor supply    8. Management - General    9. Manpower planning    10. Personnel And Human Resources Management    11. Personnel management    12. United States    13. Labour economics    14. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (1)

Best text on labor economics and labor relations
The authors do a good job analyzing the labor market conditons, and cover in great detail labor relations, go into some comperative analysis of circumstances in different economic systems. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Economics - General    4. Industrial And Labor Relations    5. Industrial relations    6. Labor    7. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    8. Labor Economics (General)    9. Labor economics    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Business & Economics / Economics / General    12. Labour economics   

Subjects:  1. Accounting (Specific Aspects)    2. Accounting - General    3. Business & Economics    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business/Economics    6. Human Resources & Personnel Management    7. Labor    8. Wages    9. Accounting    10. Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Collective bargaining    5. Industrial relations    6. Labor    7. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    8. Labor unions    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / Labor    11. Business & Management   

Reviews (82)

Hindsight proves Dobbs was 20/20 on the Exporting of America
It is interesting to read this book a few years after its publication and see how correct Mr. Dobbs was.The book was written in 2003-4 and the election year tension is evident in some areas of the book.However, almost three years later, the data is irrefutable that Dobbs observations about corporations sacrificing American workers for their own outrageous profit taking are correct.
Telling it like it really is.
Lou Dobbs has got it right.Our Administrations, past and present,Congress and Corporte America have sold us out all in the name of power and greed.This book lays the facts out in front of everyone to really show what has happened to America that at one time the whole world looked up to.When you depend on foreign souces for your basic needs something is wrong with the way America is governed and something is surely wrong when Corporate America has our governmnet in their pockets.Lou Dobbs should be congratulated on telling it like it really is.He has the courage to stand up to constant critizism about his views about outsourcing our jobs and outsourcing the future of America.A must read for all Americans worried about our future.

The Real Deal For Real People All Over the World
It is interesting to see the reviews of the people(mostly Americans) on this site. I am an Indian, and it amuses me to read your thoughts on these issues. You Americans have a lot of creativity, ambition, and vivacity; and that is a good thing. But you do not think deeply often enough. Job outsourcing is hurting you indeed, and how much more you will have to suffer, I do not know.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Contracting out    4. Corporations    5. Globalization    6. Industries - General    7. Labor    8. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    9. Labor market    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Unemployment    12. United States    13. Business & Economics / General   

Reviews (4)

Worth its weight in gold!!!
This book should be on every employer's bookshelf! I am so impressed by how comprehensive, well organized, and easy to use it is. Steingold really knows what he's talking about, he explains all of the complex laws and regulations that trip up unprepared employers and result in expensive lawsuits. Thanks to this book I learned the best ways to comply with OSHA, wage-and-hour laws, sexual harassment and discrimination laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act and many many more. You owe it to yourself to know your rights and responsibilities as an employer and to protect your company from needless litigation.

A mile wide and several feet deep
An excelent, readable, survey of the law on this topic.The greatest strengths of the book are two-fold.First, it is written in easy to follow, plain english.Second, it is amazingly comprehensive.I have been practicing employment law in two millenia, and this is the book that I use (after reviewing dozens) to teach non-lawyer classes on the topic. As with any survey book, it doesn't cover the details of the many topics it touches.You don't want to use this book to deal with comprehensive planning or an employment law dispute.But if you read this book you'll understand much of the language and many of the concerns of the experienced human resources professional or lawyer that you need.

Protect your business from employee and government law suits
Here is the book that will teach you what you need to know to keep compliance with the law and protect your business.Easy to read and comprehend, this book will help you promote fair business practices and avoid lawsuits.Folks, there are many laws most business people don't know about.This book will bring you up to speed.It's a necessity for the small and large business alike. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Resources & Personnel Management    2. Labor    3. Labor & Employment    4. Labor And Employment Law    5. Labor laws and legislation    6. Law    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Popular works    9. United States   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Education And The State    3. Education and state    4. Health/Fitness    5. Labor    6. Labor Market    7. Manpower policy    8. Medical policy    9. Public Policy - General    10. United States    11. Central government    12. Educational systems    13. Health systems & services    14. Labour economics    15. Political Science / Public Policy    16. USA    17. Work & labour   

Reviews (23)

A good diagnosis but wacky solutions
Louis Uchitelle does a nice job of highlighting the mental and social trauma that often comes from being laid-off, and he arguesg that these non-economic dimensions of layoffs do not get enough attention.
Masterful exposition on employment issues
This excellent book examines the phenomenon of job insecurity in America. Author and newspaper reporter Louis Uchitelle traces the development and decline of the American expectation of stable, remunerative, virtually lifetime employment. Republicans may have taken the boldest steps in rolling back the expectation of job security (Ronald Reagan's firing of the air traffic controllers spoke eloquently for the new order), but they did not do so alone or unopposed. Democratic presidents and politicians did not make preventing layoffs a major campaign issue or administrative priority. Uchitelle writes smoothly and evocatively, particularly about the individual experiences of laid-off workers for whom the surviving avenues of American opportunity were dead ends. We recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what killed the historic American trust between workers and employers, and how to staunch the bleeding caused by layoffs.

Not a disposable book - highly recommended
As a career consultant I talk to people who have experienced layoffs first-hand. As author Uchitelle observes, layoffs take an enormous toll on individuals and we have only begun to calculate the cost to society. He accurately compares diverse responses to layoffs, from paralyzing depression to proactive coping. And, unlike many authors, he demonstrates the toll a layoff can take on an entire family.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Ethics    4. Business/Economics    5. Dismissal of    6. Displaced workers    7. Economic Conditions    8. Employees    9. Labor    10. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    11. Labor Market    12. Unemployed    13. United States    14. Business & Economics / Business Ethics   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Law    3. Labor    4. Labor & Employment    5. Law    6. Environment law    7. Law / Business   

Reviews (7)

A challenging theory of sacrifice
In this book, Rene Girard tries to propound a new theory of sacrifice, religion, myth, tragedy, incest, and taboo. His basic thesis is that sacrificing a scapegoat was the way primitive societies overcame the natural lawless violence (mimetic desire) of their societies by re-directing it on a sacrifical victim.
Girard is wrong about sacrifice
When I first read Girard's book, I was impressed with his analysis of violence in relation to religion.I admit that his concept of mimesis is fascinating, although it is not particularly original anymore.I even referred to his theory in my own general book on violence and culture (titled, aptly enough, "Violence and Culture" (Wadsworth, 2005).
The Foundational Text on Religion and Violence - General Overview
By focusing primarily on Greek tragedy, "primitive" religions, and psychoanalysis, Rene Girard attempts to show the inextricable link between violence and the sacred. Mimetic desire, the scapegoat mechanism, and sacrifice produce a system in which unrestrained violence can be controlled.Through the sacralization of these elements, religion becomes a way for the community to maintain internal peace and harmony and prevent the recurrence of reciprocal violence.
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Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. General    3. Sociology    4. Business & Economics / Labor    5. Religion: general    6. Violence in society   

Reviews (1)

This is it!
If your psychological temperament permits you to be a swing trader - AND you are adequately capitalized (a $25,000 account is 'way too small) - you will find a wealth of information in this book and its accompanying video. This book is one of the few available that was written by a successful trader. It is absolutely the best book on trading methodology that I have ever encountered!
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Labor   

Reviews (45)

I would have preferred giving 3.5 stars...
Since there's no option to give half stars, I opted to give Ernie the benefit of the doubt and go up one star.
The True Test of Character- Live Free or Die!
The essence of this book is attitude adjustment. Most people tune out when they hear "attitude adjustment" because of the way that it usually misused in North American society. It is usually misused by managers that want you to accept a rotten situation and "adjust" to being an obedient and cheerful slave. When Zelinski uses it, he means that you need to realise that the situation is rotten and that you need to free your mind- and realise that there are options and you don't have to be a slave. It is all about realising that wage slavery isn't the norm, nor the only option. In fact, I realised that I probably would go farther than the author when it comes to taking chances. He states that short of certain death you should take the leap- I have come to believe that you cannot even take death into account. You need to say, live or die, I'm going to live free.
Good on yer, Ernie!
Some books you lend to others;this one you don't. Keep it on your shelf as a ready antidote to what many of us chose as a normal lifestyle. Too much work, too much TV, too little exercise, too much junk. About 25 years ago, physical education students in an Australian university were warned to prepare for the future when people would have almost too much leisure time. Oops, what happened? Consumerism and "habitually striving for more and bigger stuff". On average, our standard of living is triple that of 1950 ... are we happy yet?
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Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - Retirement    3. Early retirement    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Gerontology    6. Labor    7. Leisure    8. Personal Growth - Happiness    9. Retirement    10. Self-Help    11. Unemployment   

Reviews (2)

FEDERAL JOBS A to Z
Dennis Damp's 9th edition is simply the best.He covers all aspects of applying, interviewing and then getting a job with the federal government and provides many useful tips and references.It is laid out in a logical manner and easy to understand.I have reviewed several books on the subject and Damp's book is by far the top of the class.I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in getting a job with the federal government and jobs counselors as a useful resource in your reference library.This book is the A to Z on the federal job search process and a must read for federal job seekers.

A handy and easy-to-use resource
Now in an updated ninth edition, The Book Of U.S. Government Jobs is a no-nonsense career resource that explains in plain terms where available American government jobs are and how to get one. From an overview of the federal employment process, to advice concerning the interview process, completing one's employment application, and passing civil service exams, to overseas employment opportunities, careers specific to the postal service or law enforcement, and much more, The Book Of U.S. Government Jobs is a solid primer of what to expect and thoroughly reflects the many changes in the American governmental employment process that have been wrought in response to the September 11th attacks. Point-by-point requirements, recommendations, and contact information for each institution from which one can seek employment form the heart of this handy and easy-to-use resource.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business & Economics / Job Hunting    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Careers - Job Almanacs    6. Careers / Job Opportunities    7. Civil service positions    8. Labor    9. United States    10. Careers - Job Hunting    11. Civil Service Occupations    12. Federal Government    13. Government - U.S. Government   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Industrial relations    4. Labor    5. Labor & Industrial Relations - Unions    6. Politics / Current Events    7. United States    8. Business & Economics / Labor   

Reviews (2)

Without question the BEST Labor Economics text ever!
This is truly an amazing work, which shows so many models of labor market phenomena at the undergraduate level that an undergraduate's economics education is incomplete without it.This book is essential reading for both undergraduates and policymakers who want to learn labor economics, economics in general, or have a deeper understanding of public policy issues.The best features are its unmatched explanations of human capital models, labor market discrimination models, and labor union models -- which will change the way you think of these issues and give deeper understanding.The book is both concise, deep, a quick and fun read, and makes Nobel-prize winning material accessible to any undergraduate or policy maker.

All about Labor Economics
George Borjas in this book deal the basic of de Labor Economics, it's very usefull for the pre-grade student and it's preleminary to introduce in the labor world (academic). It's good but it's necesary to complement with anothers advanced books for a improve vision. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Labor    4. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    5. Labor Economics (General)    6. Labor Market    7. Labor economics    8. Politics / Current Events    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / Labor    11. Labour economics   

Reviews (4)

Important yet incomplete study of work in America
"The new American workplace" is a broad, comprehensive view of work and business in American. It is an update of a 1974 book with a similar focus, with commissioned papers and large databases contributing to the text. Topics and chapters include careers, health and safety, performance pressure, compensation, training and development and public policy. Such scope will almost automatically include some generalities that don't always apply and even some errors. As to the latter, on p. 165, the authors claim that Continental "was able to acquire U.S. Airways." I think not. As to the former, the authors claim that only low-cost suppliers "are predicated on a basic tenet of capitalist economics: the consumer is king." (p. 174). I do believe either point: "The customer is king" is not a basic tenet of capitalism and other firms, especially globally competitive firms believe in this concept and succeed globally by treating customers as kings. In fact, this phrase is relatively old and foreign; firms have been treating customers well for years. They tend to survive and to thrive in a competitive, global economy.