The Occupy Handbook [Paperback]

Janet Byrne (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2012

Analyzing the movement's deep-seated origins in questions that the country has sought too long to ignore, some of the greatest economic minds and most incisive cultural commentators - from Paul Krugman, Robin Wells, Michael Lewis, Robert Reich, Amy Goodman, Barbara Ehrenreich, Gillian Tett, Scott Turow, Bethany McLean, Brandon Adams, and Tyler Cowen to prominent labor leaders and young, cutting-edge economists and financial writers whose work is not yet widely known - capture the Occupy Wall Street phenomenon in all its ragged glory, giving readers an on-the-scene feel for the movement as it unfolds while exploring the heady growth of the protests, considering the lasting changes wrought, and recommending reform. A guide to the occupation, THE OCCUPY HANDBOOK is a talked-about source for understanding why 1% of the people in America take almost a quarter of the nation's income and the long-term effects of a protest movement that even the objects of its attack can find little fault with.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"More than a scrapbook of the recent Occupy Wall Street movement, The Occupy Handbook, a compilation by our best journalists, thinkers and economists, puts the story of America's revolt against inequality in welcome historical perspective. From the barricades of 1848, to the barrios of modern Chile, to the improbable campgrounds thrown together in the shadows of New York skyscrapers, the Handbook examines the budding question of whether democracy can foster a more equal, and also a more prosperous, society. Insightful pieces by Gillian Tett, John Cassidy, Bethany McLean and many more prepare you to think about the next outbreak of outrage and activism-which is only a matter of time." (author of The End of Wall Street and When Genius Failed Roger Lowenstein)

"When future historians ponder why the Great Recession failed to spark a populist revolt like those of the 1890s or 1930s, they'll find a wealth of insights in this remarkable volume." (author of Grand Pursuit: The Story of Economic Genius and A Beautiful Mind Sylvia Nasar)

"This fascinating collection explains why and how income and wealth inequalities have rightly climbed to the top of the policy agenda in so many countries. With multiple perspectives from both experts and activists, The Occupy Handbook contains valuable insights on the historical context, the formation of the popular movements, their impact, and what the future may hold. I suspect it won't be long before this handbook is viewed as the reference guide for understanding how an unstructured gathering of people in Zuccotti Park ended up providing the catalyst redefining policy imperatives around the world." (CEO of PIMCO and author of When Markets Collide Mohamed A. El-Erian)

"A rich set of ideas for reforming the American political and economic system. Will any of these suggestions gain traction with the people who seek and hold political office? That depends entirely on you-the reader. Either we still have a vibrant democracy, capable of making sensible public policy. Or we are going down a long and very dark path." (MIT Sloan School of Management and co-author, with James Kwak, of White House Burning and 13 Bankers: The Wall Street Takeover and the Next Financial Meltdown Simon Johnson)

"For those who have come to believe that economics exists only to legitimize the interests of a wealthy elite, this remarkable collection should be an eye-opener. Here we see what economics does best, which is to pursue a parsimonious and plausible set of hypotheses unblinkingly to their logical conclusion. The answers will often surprise: Did you know, for example, that the best evidence on how we should set income taxes points to tax rates upwards of 60 percent on the rich? Read the essay by Diamond and Saez (a Nobel Prize winner and a winner of the almost equally distinguished John Bates Clark Medal) for why." (MIT, and co-author, with Esther Duflo, of Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty Abhijit V. Banerjee)

"A succinct body of essays by knowledgeable, sympathetic observers on the grievances of the Occupy Wall Street protestors....An educational, highly useful primer on what's broken and how to fix it." (Kirkus Reviews)

"An excellent one-stop shop for analysis of the financial crisis and everything about it." (Reuters Felix Salmon)

About the Author

Janet Byrne is an editor who has worked with Nobel Prize-winning economists, Pulitzer Prize-winning writers, and leading political figures, financial journalists, academics, and best-selling authors. She is the author of A Genius for Living: The Life of Frieda Lawrence, a New York Times Notable Book, has served as a researcher for and as a contributor to numerous books, and has written for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books (April 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316220213
• ISBN-13: 978-0316220217
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.5 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I wanted to love it. May 6, 2012

By Nona

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is not really a book, but a collection of essays and observations on the Occupy Wall Street "movement".

I really enjoyed and learned from about a third of the essays contained in this eclectic collection. Another third, however, were boring repetition and less than first rate writing from first rate writers.

Like many observers, I have been somewhat perplexed by Occupy's failure to present an agenda, a list of goals, or a program. David Graeber and Chris Hedges, however, do a very good job of explaining the positive side of anarchy and messy participatory democracy.

It's a worthy read, but you will find yourself skimming a lot of the selections.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic, Engaging, Informative and Important May 15, 2012

By isecond

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Occupy Handbook is a collection of writings authored by major contributors to the lively contemporary debate on the political economy. Its authors come, by invitation, from the world of journalism, academics, and political action. From her introductory essay through the intelligent method of organization of essays, the editor, Janet Byrne, makes clear that the handbook will not be writing down to the reader. The essays, whether written to instruct, or persuade, or, in some instances, exercise self-justification, are for the most part engaging and informative. The authors contributed what they believed was important for readers to know and the editor lets us hear them. They are not homogenized. A lecture on the manner in which our form of legislative government is vulnerable to wealth inequality - delivered in the good humored, concise, and instructive voice of your favorite TED lecturer - shares the podium with an essay on sub-prime financing delivered with the bridled contempt of a prophet whose warning continued to be ignored while the sky falls around him. Their differing voices - and, in particular, their differing attitudes - give a unique ebb and flow to the collection - placing you in the midst of the genuine debate. Along the way, even enlightened readers pick up those little gems of previously unknown information which are the joy of the essay. This is not a straight through read - it is a "read and think." A book to put on your kindle and keep nearby. Read and think. Then do it again. You find yourself in the midst of authentic voices in lively, important, debate, which stays with you. A remarkable accomplishment in the world of talking heads and talking points.

28 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn Something New April 12, 2012

By Queenie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Banking, business, one-percent, ninety-nine percent... Are the lines that clearly drawn, is it that cut and dried? I don't think so. As an individual, do I have the time (read energy or desire) to research all the moving parts and come to a clear cut personal opinion? I don't think so. Personal empathy for those in our country who are struggling financially versus working my own ten hour working days in the energy business incur mixed feelings about the Occupy Wall Street movement in general.

Enter the Occupy Handbook. Wow. Starting with the very personal introduction by Janet Byrne I was drawn into a graphic scenario about the disparity of urban, agricultural and big business landscape on a mere train ride from Philadelphia, through New Jersey, into New York. The varied income levels in that small stretch of our country provide an individualized perspective of the intellectual approach to the issues. Moving to Michael Lewis' tongue-in-cheek, witty article and Gillian Tett's discussion of silos in the banking industry primed the pump to encourage me to learn from this book, regardless of my pre-conceived opinions.

As with many `handbooks' this is a learning tool that provides insight into a problem while allowing the reader to cull salient points and form one's own opinion. Kudos to Ms. Byrne and kudos to the individual authors for taking the time to pull this together.