The Great Divide: Unequal Societies and What We Can Do About Them Hardcover – April 20, 2015

Any presidential candidate with him on the staff gets my vote

Comment

D. R. Martz

May 27, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a collection of articles written by J. Stiglitz, ordered into subject sections, along with introductory and hindsight observations about the material. It is pretty much a dead-on accurate portrayal of the 2008 recession, what caused it, how we haven't fixed the causes, and so on. No doubt it will get fewer stars from those who disagree with the analysis, but you have to be ideologically blind to refuse to see these truths. The one criticism I have is that he is still an apologist for capitalism, as though somehow we might misconceive his point of view as favoring communism or something. He keeps saying we currently have ersatz capitalism, that capitalism is fine as long as it is properly run and regulated. Really. Is there any engine that does not need steering, brakes, accelerators, modulators, or governors? These items are part and parcel of automobiles, power plants, nuclear reactors, and so on. We don't go around saying atomic bombs are fundamentally sound; they just need proper modulation. Trying to separate policy and regulation from capitalism, even if just in the text, is problematic. A useful engine is a holistic thing.

5 people found this helpful

Comment

February 8, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Interesting and persuasive, this series of essays on various economic topics covered such concerns as growing inequality between haves and have nothings, the lack of social mobility, and unequal opportunity. Unfortunately, I read this book after the 2017 election. It seems evident at this point that the theories put forth in this book will be roundly ignored in favor of the old remedies which failed to increase prosperity for the majority 99% So, the inequality seems destined to march on unchecked.

One person found this helpful

Wake Up Before Its Too Late!

Comment

John A. Matta

June 8, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Joseph Stiglitz is a clear thinker and an articulate writer. The message he delivers here about the every widening gap between the very wealthy and everyone else in this country is one that we all must heed. Stigliz makes it clear that the cause of inequality in the United States is not economics, but politics. He cites what needs to be done to correct this, which makes this book even more valuable. "The Great Divide" should be a wake-up call for all of us.

2 people found this helpful

Comment

Rebecca B. Cochran

Breaks in our society

September 8, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

In depth look at our society and how it became so fractured. Bought for my son who is an Economics Grad. He did not afree with everything said but it was my first foray into this topic so I enjoyed it.

One person found this helpful

Authoratative collection of articles on social/economic injustice

Comment

Amos Matsick

September 10, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I thought I could read from start to finish but found myself reading one article at a time (the book is a collection of previously published articles). The book focuses on social and economic injustice in the United States from a very high and fully qualified perspective.

One person found this helpful

... complex economic issues with clarity that even a layman like me can comprehend

Comment

digital reader

July 13, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Stiglistz writes about complex economic issues with clarity that even a layman like me can comprehend. He is in direct opposition to the Chicago School of unfettered Free Market Capitalism and Privatization of Milton Friedman et al. And he proves just how wrong that group is. First he documents the history of the rapid growth of inequality in America over the last 30+ years; he explains just how devastating to the economy, the Middle Class, and to America this trend has been. And then he proposes several ways in which to correct this. Of course, the remedies are anathema to not only the present day GOP, they are dismissed by the Corporate Media as well as many Democrats who have accepted the mantra of the 'Debt Crises', Austerity, and No Taxes as Gospel Truth. It is infuriating to read this book for all the right reasons. Then listen to HIllary Clinton's wobbly stand on fixes to the problems facing America's economy and I want to scream. It's all bulls***...and all it does is continue the strengthening of the Plutocracy. Stiglitz is a Nobel-Prizewinning economist. But you won't see him advising Clinton. And that's a shame. Read this book. Get informed and get involved.

4 people found this helpful

If you want a real economics book about inequality read Capital by Piketty

Comment

Most recent customer reviews

John Elam

I write this as someone who read only 40-50 pages of this book. If you are interested in economics and want an intellectually challenging book this is not the right book for you.Read more

Published 5 months ago

Luc REYNAERT

Of Myths and Ersatz

In his outstanding book 'The Price of Inequality', J. Stiglitz analyzed brilliantly the detrimental economic impact of huge income and wealth inequality in a country, because it...Read more

Published 7 months ago

Bill Keister

Five Stars

A must read for anyone who cares about the fate of our country,

Published 10 months ago

Rama Salim Richa

Thanjks received

Good one

Published 11 months ago

A Johnson

One of the most bias books I have ever read

This book is extremely bias. I'm sure the facts are straight, but the story isn't complete. It blames President Bush and the republican party and businesses for most of the...Read more

Very timely and much needed read to understand one of the USA biggest problems. Excellent.

William D Budge

Excellent.

Merged reviews - the Geat Unite rather than Great Divide ...

Frits M. Rietveld

The single star does not concern the book of Stiglitz but the merger of reviews of his recent book The Great Divide with those of the book with same title by John Sperling and...Read more

Well witten. Historical context in tune with the relevant ...

Well witten. Historical context in tune with the relevant economies, and if you're looking for a den of thieves, he identifies them.

Appreciated prompt delivery.

JAIME FERRER

Five Stars