America: Who Stole the Dream?

by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele

The Pulitzer Prize-winning authors of America: What Went Wrong? examine public policies in trade, taxes, employment, and education that have reduced the economic fortunes and expectations of America's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0836213149
• ISBN13: 9780836213140
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Length: 241 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A must read

An accurate, yet disturbing, assessment of the cost of globalization. Corporate CEOs are selling out the American worker in order to increase shareholder value. People at all levels of organizations are being laid off while their jobs are shipped overseas. The book is very well researched and should be read by everyone in America from college age up.

Left winged or right winged this book is well researched

America, Who Stole the Dream, was a WONDERFUL READ. I find myself leaning more to the right, from a political perspective, but the authors arguments are EXCELLENT at times and they definitely bring up some great points.This book is the most well argued book I have read about the current demise of the middle class in the U.S. After reading it I would definitely have to say that I have more concern about political decisions being made in Washington as the authors illustrate that consistently the politicians don't do the right thing for the country.The authors bring up several concerns1. Middle class demise via outsourcing of manufacturing to lower cost areas2. Growing disparity of wealth (the rich own more in % terms)3. The outsourcing of the 'HIGH TECH JOBS' that are to be the savior of the country.4. Commentary about various social programs set up and how ineffective they are.In conclusion I would say this book was extremely well researched and I therefore give KUDOS to the authors. While I don't agree with everything they wrote I believe they have put forth an excellent piece of work. My main contention with the book is that it focuses on the demise of manufacturing and low-end jobs, along with some high tech. The U.S. is expensive from a labor perspective. As we have outsourced much of our manufacturing we have been able to purchase products at cheaper prices in the U.S.. Imagine what some products would cost if we were paying for labor that was, in some cases, 10x higher than current wages in developing countries? NOWHERE in the book do the authors mention the BENEFIT to our standard of living because we can buy more with our dollars than we would be able to do so otherwise. In general, this book is WAY to the left so reader beware.My background is a B.S. in Acct., an MBA in finance and current interests in economic and social policy development so I found this to be quite an interesting read.

Should be read by all working people

There is little refuting the fact that over the last 15 years the split classes, between not just the rich and poor, but the rich and the working class, has grown sharply. Equally obvious is the control that big money has over every political level, on both sides of the political fence. What this marvelous book does is show specifically how this came to be, what policies caused it to be that way, and is loaded with in depth statistics cementing it's case. It also gives some good examples of how we might remedy the growing plutocracy. I recommend this book for all working persons, regardless of your political stance.

How much worse could it get

This book is nothing but the truth so take the wool from your eyes and understand what is going on in this country where the government was formed to serve you, and now it seems that we are here to serve the government.

Well-written and thorough

Not many books have the capacity to upset you as this one will. The authors paint a bleak picture for the middle-class in the coming years. From the death of the rose-growing industry to the rapid growth of Lobbyists in governmental decisions, this book will inform, astound and frustrate you. Essential reading for those who want to know why the United States industrial base is gone. Personally, I think this book is relevant no matter what your political stance is.