Whistleblowers: Broken Lives and Organizational Power [Paperback]

C. Fred Alford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The media seem always to portray whistleblowers as martyrs or heroes. Alford, though, sees something else. He is the author of What Evil Means to Us (1997) and The Self in Social Theory (1991). He visited a retreat for "stressed-out whistleblowers," sat in on support-group meetings held by whistleblowers, and conducted in-depth interviews with two dozen of them. Alford is concerned with why whistleblowers choose to go public and challenge their organizations, but he is also interested in what they have learned from their experiences. He is fascinated by the costs incurred by the "autonomous individual" who confronts the organization, an entity that Alford says demands obedience, conformity, and loyalty. Instead of noble causes and vindication, Alford finds individuals who become isolated from coworkers, friends, and even family and who often admit that they would not repeat their actions if they had it to do over again. He also examines the political and ethical aspects of whistleblowing by looking at the "political theory of sacrifice" and considering "narcissism moralized." David Rouse
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Cornell University Press (January 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801487803
• ISBN-13: 978-0801487804
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, July 29, 2007

By 

Jeane Goforth (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whistleblowers: Broken Lives and Organizational Power (Paperback)

I suspect that the problem with this book is that it is mostly read by whistleblowers who've already acted.
It needs to be read by management in every organization so that they understand whistleblowers, and perhaps will deal with them differently.
It needs to be read by those contemplating whistleblowing, although it would likely convince many not to act--and then where would the world be?
I am a whistleblower, but early in the process. This book describes my feelings and the reaction of others to the point of being eerie. It has helped me understand what is happening. This makes Mr. Alford's prediction of the likely outcomes very distressing. I believe my outcome will be different, but he says that is a common delusion among whistleblowers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A whistleblower, August 23, 2010

By 

jeriM - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whistleblowers: Broken Lives and Organizational Power (Paperback)

Although this book may discourage some, I find it quite helpful, that while any whistleblower may not experience all these things, many of them are still active in spite of all the laws against it. The author says there appears to be no social science characteristics that make us typical; I suggest for future research someone see if most of us cannot be classified as Myers-Briggs T people -- "extreme logical thinkers," as I am. That means we want to make most of our decisions on the basis of rational analysis instead of on how other people will feel. My only disagreement with the author is that my motive is not narcissist but rather satisfaction with having accomplished something very important, helping to make the Systems of society more efficient, even if I personally am not better off. Yes, the most serious potential victims (people who will be seriously injured and killed) I am working for are nameless, but I am also working for fair competition between firms, some of whom are now "cheating" (gaining a financial advantage) by breaking the law. At a time in our society when a long history of violations of regulations has occurred before the great disasters in the oil business, the mining business, the airline industry, and now even the egg business, it is imperative that society continue to pass laws that protect us. I plan to attempt to get protection for whistle blowers from trade association sanctions, by getting them declared an Antitrust violation when the organization is covered and the sanctions and process used meets the same characteristics as those declared illegal for employers.

0 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Questionable, March 13, 2009

By 

A. G. Navarro "dragon girl" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whistleblowers: Broken Lives and Organizational Power (Paperback)

I don't know who the previous owner was but I was surprise to find that the book was "property of the Elmhurst Public Library" and I really hope this was not illegal otherwise; the person who sold it to me will be in trouble. The condition of book is very good and delivery was not bad.