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In a time of extreme and scary partisanship, this book begins with a great concept: that the “free market” versus “government control” level debates are a myth and and a distraction to what is actually happening - that the richest people and corporations are changing the rules to benefit themselves. Any book that talks about economic policy and proposals while barely using the words “republican” or “democrat” is much needed.

*****

“I owe you an apology. I read a lot of non fiction. Like a lot... So I went with the shortest, most accessible storm of shit on my shelf... I‘ll try to go light on the depressing nonfiction in the future ;)” said the friend who gifted me this in a book swap.

I took no pleasure from it, but I finished it. Basically corporations in every field of industry have used their $ to gain political power to bend the laws to make more $. The end.

A suggestion for revising the section titles:

Part 1: Everything is Awful

Part 2: Oh Man, It‘s Way Worse Than You Thought Even Though You Already Thought It Was Really Bad

Part 3: Possible Solutions That Seem Ludicrously Out of Reach

Also maybe just call the book Before the Hunger Games.

I promised myself that I would read this gift from a friend (let‘s ignore the fact that I received it a little less than a year ago) despite its obvious lack of wizards and/or starships.

I‘m looking at it like a sugar-free protein bar - it‘s probably useful although not a single moment of enjoyment will be had.

Trying to power through it quickly. So far the theme is: Everything is awful.

Capitalism has been hijacked by politics

My stack to pick from for #NonFictionNovember. I also have "Blood in the Water" (about Attica uprising) on ebook and "Evicted" (about poverty in Milwaukee) on audio from the library... and a couple more coming via mail ? #nonfiction

Listening to the first half or so of this book as Reich analyzes various problems with our current economic system almost had me bursting arteries. Luckily, he narrates his own book and his voice is incredibly soothing and even-tempered. Plus the last chapters are full of common sense solutions. It's just sad that we don't have these solutions in place and that putting them into effect will be quite the fight. Image from Reich's website.

My #BestOfOctober includes two nonfiction books, which I'm pretty happy about. My reading has been slow for several months with just a few fiction reads. Joining Litsy and meeting all you Littens and your shelves has certainly inspired me to get creative with how I spend my free time and get more reading done.

I loved his documentary Inequality for All, so I'm giving this bad boy a try. So far I find Reich's voice quite soothing.

First things first #keepjournalismalive #johnoliver. The more I read newspapers stories or report myself (full disclosure, I am a reporter) the more I realize how news and features can be as addictive as fiction.