The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade [Paperback]

Pietra Rivoli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2009

The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy has been lauded by the New York Times, Financial Times, and reviewers worldwide. Translated in fourteen languages, Travels has received numerous awards for its frank and nuanced discussion of global economic realities.  Now updated and revised--including a discussions of environmental issue--this fascinating book illustrates crucial lessons in the debate on globalization.

The major themes and conclusions from the first edition are intact, but in  response to questions from readers and students around the world, the second edition now includes:

• Updates on the people, businesses, and politics involved in the production of the T-shirt.
• Discussions of environmental issues related to both international trade and the T-shirt's life story.
• A look at the maturing of the anti-globalization movement, and the recent shift in public opinion against internationalism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Engrossing….(Rivoli) goes wherever the t-shirt goes and there are surprises around every corner…full of memorable characters and vivid scenes." (TIME)

"An engaging and illuminating saga…Rivoli follows her T-shirt along its route, but that is like saying that Melville follows his whale…Her nuanced and fair-minded approach is all the more powerful for eschewing the pretense of ideological absolutism, and her telescopic look through a single industry has all the makings of an economics classic." (New York Times)

"…Succeeds admirably… T-shirts may not have changed the world, but this story is a useful account of how free trade and protectionism certainly have." (Financial Times)

"Rarely is a business book so well written that one would gladly stay up all night to finish it..."  (CIO: Chief Information Officer Magazine, June 15, 2005)

"Globalization is a hot-button topic that generates strong feelings along with images of boarded-up, independent businesses in America and exploitative sweatshops overseas. But what exactly is it? Rivoli chronicles the round-the-world odyssey of a T-shirt, from Texas cotton-growers to an African used-clothing bazaar, to reveal how the planetary economy really works. Whether you feel hurt or helped by globalization, you'll certainly understand it better after reading this fascinating account." (Entrepreneur Magazine)

"The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy is an excellent piece of work - a thorough, lucid and (best of all) honest examination of how politics and economics intertwine in the real world." (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

"…a fascinating exploration of the history, economics and politics of world trade…The Travels of a T-Shirt is a thought-provoking yarn that exhibits the ugly, the bad and the good of globalization, and points to the unintended positive consequences of the clash between the proponents and opponents of free trade." (Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

"…a readable and evenhanded treatment of the complexities of world trade… As Rivoli repeatedly makes clear, there is absolutely nothing free about free trade except the slogan." (San Francisco Chronicle)

From the Back Cover

Praise for The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy

"Engrossing... [Rivoli] goes wherever the T-shirt goes and there are surprises around every corner....full of memorable characters and vivid scenes."

—Time

"An engaging and illuminating saga . . . Rivoli follows her T-shirt along its route, but that is like saying that Melville follows his whale . . . Her nuanced and fair-minded approach is all the more powerful for eschewing the pretense of ideological absolutism, and her telescopic look through a single industry has all the makings of an economics classic."

—The New York Times

"Rarely is a business book so well written that one would gladly stay up all night to finish it. Rivoli's The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy is just such a page-turner."

—CIO magazine

"Succeeds admirably...T-shirts may not have changed the world, but their story is a useful account of how free trade and protectionism certainly have."

—Financial Times

"A readable and evenhanded treatment of the complexities of world trade... As Rivoli repeatedly makes clear, there is absolutely nothing free about free trade except the slogan."

—San Francisco Chronicle

"A fascinating exploration of the history, economics, and politics of world trade...The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy is a thought-provoking yarn that exhibits the ugly, the bad, and the good of globalization, and points to the unintended positive consequences of the clash between proponents and opponents of free trade."

—Fort Worth Star-Telegram

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470287160
• ISBN-13: 978-0470287163
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.9 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Ecotourism
  • #2 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Trades & Tariffs
  • #7 in Books > Professional & Technical > Accounting & Finance > International

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written February 15, 2011

By Liesel

Format:Paperback

I read this book for a class. While I found the information interesting and well researched, I can't believe an editor read this and let it go to press. The author is extremely repetitive and made a 150 page book into a 261 page book. It was exasperating to read paragraphs that summarized summaries and sentences that used repetitive language. I would hope that a third edition - if there ever is one - is better written. Also, I would have preferred less anecdotal information, such as the mention of Ned Cobb over and over again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply A Must-Read November 28, 2010

By E. A. Alfi

Format:Paperback

I had the good fortune to sit in Pietra Rivoli's classroom at Georgetown as a student--a once in a lifetime experience. Her fascinating lectures never lose your rapt attention the moment she opens her mouth, and her book produces much the same effect: you will lose sleep and forget to eat as you stay up reading. Reading her book is almost like sitting in her office over a cup of tea and having her recount a story of international mystery and adventure.

Her story transports you across continents and centuries from the scene at which a freshly minted Yale graduate revolutionized the world with his invention in 1793; to the heart of modern cotton country; to the trading ports of 18th century Asia; to the inner workings of the halls of power in Washington; to the wacky woolens industry of pre-industrial Great Britain; to a fascinating bazaar in Dar Es Salaam. As Rivoli takes you through this riveting journey, you greedily devour the surprising economic, political and human insights and lessons that took her years of international adventure and research to uncover. As only the best authors can, Rivoli miraculously manages to impart the reader with years of exhaustively researched and painstakingly-acquired knowledge in one exhilarating read.

As you read, you soon find yourself picking up on the same economic and political patterns you find at play in each region and each time period. As you absorb these patterns, you begin to expect and predict the same sequences of events you encountered in a similar situation in a different time and place. Reading this book is the most enjoyable way you can enrich your mind and instincts on the history and future of international trade, protectionism, globalism, and labor activism. I agree with the other reviewer that it ought to be required reading for all students of these subjects.

Having personally worked in the Int'l Trade Administration of the US Dept. of Commerce, I can tell you that this book began to illuminate a lot of the conflicting forces of free trade and protectionism that mystified me as I witnessed them operating simultaneously within the same government building. Having also worked in the private sector of Int'l Trade, this book has been absolutely invaluable to me in my business, and also makes a much-appreciated gift for colleagues. I'm sure it will prove equally illuminating and dear for anybody else who participates or is simply interested in the global marketplace.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars very informative September 25, 2012

By gopack2012

Format:Paperback

Thoroughly enjoyed this text even though it was an assignment for an economics course I took a couple years ago. I had no idea how the cotton industry functioned in the US or abroad and how global trade affects the industry and the people within. Definitely a good read for someone who is interested in global politics / trade.

Overall highly recommend