Customer Reviews

Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart

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Having a marketing and business background and experiencing how big corporations come into town or buy out other store names and then will discontinue or not use small vendors made me think sometime back; companies like Home Depot, Wal-Marts, Targets, Borders, Barnes and Nobles, Wild Oats health stores the list could go on really hurt the unique character and social fabric of any town beside the low wages, profits leaving town to WalStreet stockholders that now 1% of the people own 47% of the wealth now and the rest get to fight over the rest of he dwindling pie. I have stopped shopping at those places and realize my shopping patterns are a vote for what this country stood for. Our forefathers did not fight for this country for big business to run our political system and control our marketplace totally. Any concerned citizen should read this book and open there eyes to the lie Wal-Mart and rest present on spin commercials. I highly recommend this book and give it to a friend.

Sooner or later every beautiful rural American Town will have to deal with the threat of a corporate Goliath like Wal-Mart invading their community. Al Norman's book Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart educates, not only citizen groups, but Planning and Zoning Boards across the country. It also assists them in directly dealing with these inevitable imposters to the quietude of Rural America. If you can't get Al Norman to come to your town (you might be able to if you contact him) - this book is the next best thing. Mr. Norman and his book are presently bringing the Warning Light to the Town of Red Hook, New York (upstate New York, about 60 miles south of Albany). Believe it or not, everybody's listening to Wal-Mart's nemesis. Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart is a must read for community activists and Planning Boards alike!

When we heard Wal-Mart wanted to build in our little village, we panicked! Sounded like a done deal... Wal-Mart's so big -- what chance did anyone have at stopping this project? We immediately felt doomed. And then we discovered Al Norman and "Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart"! This book has all the answers we needed, plus all kinds of motivation to fight to keep our village instead of selling out to the big retailer. If your municipality is faced with Wal-Mart wanting to build, but you're not sure that's a good idea, read this book before you make up your mind. Based on his own successful campaign against Wal-Mart in his home town, as well as reports from communities across the country facing the same difficulties, Al Norman provides an enormous amount of information... or... as I prefer to think of it... 'ammunition'. And best of all, he gives you the confidence and information you need to not only be a viable contender in the battle against Wal-Mart, but to actually win the entire war. Thanks Al! :-)

This book takes us behind the WAL to see another side of the company that so many small towns are fighting. I think this book is indispensable to any person who is appalled by what companies like Wal-Mart and Home Depot are doing to communities. Slam Dunking explores not only the quality of life reasons why people are trying to stop sprawl, but the hard economic facts as well. Many local officials think that if a new building is going up, it must mean economic progress. This book refutes that myth, and other misconceptions about uncontrolled retail growth. I liked the handy lists of how to organize a citizen's group, what towns have beaten Wal-Mart and Home Depot, and the strategies that can help bring down Goliath. As Norman says: "It ain't over until the fat company sings," and this book can help local communities find the right song. After you read this book, be sure to pass it along to everyone on your Town Council, and to your local reporters. It's a real eye-opener!

I found out about this book from friends in a citizen's group in Maryland that was fighting a Wal-Mart. They said Al Norman's book was their Bible. I have read other books that are business history titles--but Slam Dunking Wal-Mart actually gives you the information you need to stop superstores in your community. Norman has helped dozens of communities do just that over the past 7 years, and he's become the "guru" of the anti-sprawl movement, to quote 60 Minutes. I found this book more and more useful as I reread it, and I've copied sections to give to my local officials. This is not some pointy-headed academic book--its a good read for the average homeowner or merchant who is looking for arguments and strategies for stopping superstore sprawl. Get one--and get one for your Mayor to read as well! Now I understand why Wal-Mart doesn't like to debate this guy. I was appalled to learn that Wal-Mart has over 300 "dead" stores on the market today. This book also has good info on Home Depot and other logos. The NY Times doesn't know this book exists--but citizens'groups have made good use of it.

I'd be surprised if Mr. Norman's book does not keep you awake at night. I know it had that affect on me. Even if you think you like Wal-Mart, after you read this book I doubt you will ever look at a superstore the same way again. The book also provides a common sense, easy to follow game plan for citizens to fight superstore sprawl. I know it will help us in our fight against the invasion of Wal-Mart on Kent Island.

If you need help fighting ANY big business, this is the book to buy! It was recommended to me by a friend who used it to successfully keep a grocery chain out of their neighborhood. Now we have followed the advice to keep developers from moving into our small town. The book is easy to read with helpful hints that can be applied to many areas of use. Thank You Thank You for writing this book!

This is a down-to-earth read from someone who's been there, won and wants to help you do the same. Warm, supportive and encourging with a lot of good quotes, anecdotal discussion and data to help in your fight. Lots of info about the way WalMart operates, info about zoning and a lot of other necessary stuff. The second half is a practical guide and formula for setting up and running a campaign that Al has won with over 30 times. Thanks Al for the book and your support. A must have if you're fighting the Wal or any other big box. An interesting read even if you're not.

This book gives a great insight how Wal-Mart operates as a company. My residential area is fighting to protect our way of live in Texas. It has been amazing since March how many PR tatics that Wal-Mart has tried in my neighborhood that Mr. Norman mentions in his book. The book gives great insight how to battle Wal-Mart. I encourage everyone to read this book and find out how to stop Wal-Mart from coming into your neighborhood.

Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart shows that big corporations can be stopped, and that zoning is a powerful tool for local control. Al Norman's enthusiasm to stop the defacing of hometown America is catching. Good economic impact reports collected here, as well as important anecdotes from Norman's six years fighting sprawl. As we gear up for the 2000 political campaigns, this book is a reminder that sprawl should be part of our public policy debate. I loved the Wal-Mart quote: "At Wal-Mart we make dust, our competitors eat dust." This very accessible book helps David arm for the battle with Goliath.