The Worst Years of Our Lives: Irreverent Notes from a Decade of Greed [Paperback]

Barbara Ehrenreich (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ehrenreich ( Fear of Falling et al.) here reprints a selection of her elegantly satirical essays that were originally published in Ms , Mother Jones and other journals during the past decade, articles in which she skewers political figures and others for causing a decay in human values. A strong sense of the ridiculous informs Ehrenreich's attack on those she judges guilty: phony evangelists, moneyed pollutors and developers, Wall Street bandits, officials heedless of the poor. There are pieces on Nancy Reagan's memoir My Turn and on Oliver North as warrior prince of the secret government. The book will have its critics, but Ehrenreich could also promote healthy rebellions in her role as someone who doesn't suffer fools at all, let alone grudgingly.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060973846
• ISBN-13: 978-0060973841
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,707,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

BARBARA EHRENREICH is the author of fourteen books, including the bestselling Nickel and Dimed and Bait and Switch. She lives in Virginia, USA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ehrenreich rocks!, November 27, 2007

By 

Cecil Bothwell "Author of "Whale Falls: A... (Asheville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Worst Years of Our Lives: Irreverent Notes from a Decade of Greed (Paperback)

I love essays, collections of essays (particularly humorous essays), essayists (particularly humorous essayists), and irreverence toward everything including self. In other words, I love Barbara Ehrenreich as I love Molly Ivins, happily grinning and genuflecting in obeisance to their talent and craft. This collection is drawn from Ehrenreich's work in the late 1980s, when, it must be admitted, targets were large and easy to hit. With one president AWOL and his successor perennially in the men's room whenever illegal matters were discussed by cabinet members or staffers, and then urging us to read his lips, Washington was funny without subtitles. But the author didn't take the easy way out--simply quoting Reagan and Bush--rather she used their utterances as a launch pad and quickly reached orbital speed. Great stuff. Several of the essays here treat with feminism and male behavior, including the longest, titled "At last a new man." Almost twenty years on her observations are not stale, and I doubt that any thoughtful man can read these comments without some discomfort as her barbs find their mark. Look for Ehrenreich's recent work at www.theprogressive.org. She has only improved with age.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful trip . . ., November 4, 2001

By 

T. R. McCallister "madrone16" (Nevada, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Worst Years of Our Lives: Irreverent Notes from a Decade of Greed (Paperback)

down a twisted memory lane. Perhaps I'm biased because nine times out of ten I agree with Ehrenreich's politics and attitude, but whatever the reason, I love this book. Each essay is like a little time capsule, though not necessarily one that's good for our egos. As a child of the 80's, it also gives me insight into the cultural forces that shaped my view of the world - and makes me wonder if there should be some form of compensation! A very good read.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting look back at the 1980s, July 19, 2001

By 

Laura LaVelle - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worst Years of Our Lives: Irreverent Notes from a Decade of Greed (Paperback)

Barbara Ehrenreich is an excellent writer and has great insight on government, capitalism, hype, the news media, politicians, and just about everything she finds to criticize about our culture. She's got a wonderful sense of the ridiculous and a sharp wit, yet her writing appears to have true and great affection for her fellow women and men. This book isn't her best though. It's a collection of previously published essays, some of which have stood the test of time better than others. Still, worth reading, and a great look back at the infamous decade of greed.