Customer Reviews

Disgruntled: The Darker Side of the World of Work

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're one of those who is tired of meaningless mission statements, patronizing inspirational posters, lame corporate-speak, paternalistic slogans and has realized that your employer doesn't have your best interests in mind, then you'll love this book! Disgruntled is a polemic blast for working men and women who have suffered in silence for too long.

What makes Levinson's book refreshing is that it's the first one I've seen that doesn't assume that all one's misgivings about his/her company and all one's problems at work are his/her own fault. It's great to see someone finally validate what so many of us have been feeling: corporate America chews workers up and spits them out.

Levinson does a nice job deconstructing the myth of the benevolent employer one layer at a time. He shows over and over again that in the corporate world, only profits matter; employees are useful only in the way that cannon fodder is useful. Executives get huge salaries and perks even if the company isn't doing well while the rank and file don't even get raises large enough to cover cost of living increases. Employers say they're pro-employee, but demonstrate absolutely no responsibility to protect their employees from unsafe conditions, sexual harassment, etc.

I also liked that Levinson offers some real solutions, up to and including walking away. This book is sure to get you fired up enough to change the situation you're in and work towards positive change for American workers.

Disgruntled: The Darker Side of the World of Work by Daniel S. Levine review by Martin Sprouse, editor of Sabotage in the American Workplace

For most Americans, experiencing the darker side of work is a daily routine. It starts with dreading the morning alarm and ends with a bargain basement paycheck. In between, there's an endless amount of frustration, humiliation and boredom; not to mention supervisors, managers and bosses. And that's if you have a job, the darker side becomes pitch black if you're looking for work, or were recently downsized or fired.

In his new book, Disgruntled, Daniel S. Levine breaks down the world of work piece by piece. With a sharp sense of humor, straightforward reporting and an inherent distrust for most authority figures, Levine explains the bitter truth about the American work experience. With the grim reality, Levine offers insight, knowledge and resources, turning the book into a how-to fight and survive manual for the American worker.

Disgruntled is an informative and entertaining read. Levine's confrontational approach makes him the Michael Moore of the old school newsroom. He makes it clear where he stands and I'm glad he's on our side.

Before Danny Levine's book, there were neither words nor a voice besides doublespeak to describe the angst of the American White Collar Worker. In one straightforward phrase, Levine encapsulates that experience: "Work sucks."

Work shouldn't have to suck, but as long as it does, Levine provides a sounding board for everyone who has has ever awakened in quiet desperation anticipating the Monday morning starting gun.

"The Darker Side of the World of Work" affirms that you are not alone, that there are worse sins in the world than anger and those dark thoughts which simmer in the back of your mind as you struggle to placate the fool who controls half your waking hours.

And it will help answer that question which you've got to be asking yourself every time the boss hands you your self-esteem on a chopping block: "Is it just my imagination, or are they all crazy . . ."

Excellent book, full of information.... From the cover and title, one might assume this is a rather jokey and lighthearted book, but it is actually a well-researched and very well-written overview of problems plaguing the working poor and working middle-class in America now. That's not to say it isn't pretty damn funny in spots, too, though in a cringing in kind of way.

I don't know why the person from Wisconsin gave this only one star; I bet s/he's an executive of a corporation that doesn't want its employees to form unions. Anyhow, this is a very good book. It uses several excellent examples to illustrate points and remains interesting throughout, but never gets into an overly-preachy "Michael Moore" mode. It's a shame there aren't more books on this particular subject. The chapter on drug testing should make anyone who is jealous of their privacy cringe. It could be a little more in-depth, but as scholarship on this subject is rare, it's rather valuable nonetheless.

Bosses behaving badly, company policies that are clearly illegal, work environments that OSHA is unaware of and true stories of incompetant management (is there any other kind) and executives that have no clue.

You are not alone.

This book vindicates the hard workers of America. We're not whiners. We ARE being treated with little respect equally by employers around this once great nation. Where once you recieved a gold watch for loyalty and dedication of years at job, now your 'Thank you' is an early retirement package or top management (CIO's, CEO's, VP's, EVP's) who cash in their stocks with your 401k money, bankrupt the company, collect their millions and leave you with nothing.

You think Enron was alone in this behavior?
Used to be postal employees killing people...now ANY employees are. Why? Read this book. It explains partially why, inbetween the lines.

Any employers who think they have a workforce of happy campers need to read this book. They'll find out how much disatisfaction and suppressed anger lies behind those benign smiles and "good morning!"s they get from their workers, most, if not all of who fear to voice their frustrations and rage.

The days of lifelong careers are over and this book illustrates the angst that has arisen. Horrible jobs tolerated by seemingly powerless employees, who, often with humor, sometimes with genuine sabotage, lash out. Its a book with a deeper meaning; the reason this country is weakening is because workers just dont care anymore. Ever had a lousy job? Nasty boss? This book will delight and fulfill your deepest jobsite fantasies!

Fabulous book. Helped me put things in perspective. Disgruntled paired with Who Moved My Cheese were key in helping me realize there was more out there and that I am smarter than the organization I recently left!

This book was not very good at all. The author can't seem to go more than a few pages without intejecting some vulgarity, and the side bar stories are sometimes just plain cruel. I would not recommend this book to anyone who was looking for information on the state of the workplace today. Save your money.