Buy new:
$16.95
Delivery Wednesday, October 9
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$16.95
FREE International Returns
No Import Charges & $9.66 Shipping to Canada Details

Shipping & Fee Details

Price $16.95
AmazonGlobal Shipping $9.66
Estimated Import Charges $0.00
Total $26.61

Delivery Wednesday, October 9. Order within 21 hrs 22 mins
In Stock
$$16.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$16.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$8.66
FREE International Returns
This item shows wear including moderate wear to edges and cover. This item shows wear including moderate wear to edges and cover. See less
Delivery October 8 - 11
In Stock
$$16.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$16.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Other sellers on Amazon
New & Used (26) from   $8.66
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Aaron Clarey
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Worthless: The Young Person's Indispensable Guide to Choosing the Right Major Paperback – December 5, 2011

by Aaron Clarey (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 561 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$16.95","priceAmount":16.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"16","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"VQwtfFOEf2pXBOSeYwrtoNsJECmiyyTMDrb9zi2rj8DSi7F%2FWOWnzAbgEIoSGxo3VcGRQzuvQH%2FpxVlcU9DS4gnBxoaDhWDSS2Ayo5PUVm5D5hvnmYDFyuyVBJ36tvYqZ80OCCxA%2BFfyeGwfJxY3fA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$8.66","priceAmount":8.66,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"66","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"VQwtfFOEf2pXBOSeYwrtoNsJECmiyyTMetuPrgw5Qfz1mw8JyBbzFQv5zyjBoPs0S1H6Pi8%2Fkp6HUk%2Fvfjd0QLJAV6BzRDp5z6616kME42afoCiYPE3nbUbg21QdTA7KpIyVWUzaToE3Ki9bCKkO%2FFwR3CpvdcpewuTNBeyr1Eyf5XC2bWGqiSeDJo2VMYtI","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

"Worthless" is the single most important book young men and women can read before they attend college. While teachers, guidance counselors and even parents are afraid to tell you the truth in an effort to spare your feelings, “Worthless” delivers a blunt and real-world assessment about the economic realities and consequences of choosing various degrees with a necessary and tough fatherly love. Don’t lie to yourself. And certainly don’t waste four years of your youth and thousands of dollars in tuition on a worthless degree. Buy this book and understand why it is important you choose the right major. The book itself could be the wisest investment you ever make.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    180 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 5, 2011
  4. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.41 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1467978302
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1467978309
  7. See all details
Next slide of product details

Frequently bought together

Worthless: The Young Person's Indispensable Guide to Choosing the Right Major
This item: Worthless: The Young Person's Indispensable Guide to Choosing the Right Major
$16.95
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Poor Richard's Retirement: Retirement for Everyday Americans
$12.95
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Bachelor Pad Economics: The Financial Advice Bible for Men
$22.95
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Treatment
Choose items to buy together.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 32544th edition (December 5, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 180 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1467978302
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1467978309
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.41 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 561 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Aaron Clarey

Aaron Clarey

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Aaron Clarey is the world's only motorcycle riding, ballroom dancing, fossil hunting, mountain climbing, economist. He spent 15 years in banking to learn that work sucks, life is short, and it was not meant to be spent in a cube suffering the idiots of corporate America. He left and has since pursued a career in writing, consulting, ballroom dancing, and hedonism.

You can read his blog at:

http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com

Visit his consultancy at:

http://www.assholeconsulting.com

Tune in on his podcast at:

https://soundcloud.com/aaron-clarey/

Or view him at his YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/AaronClarey

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
561 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book amazing, enjoyable, and a must-read for anyone about to enter college. They say it's informative, excellent, and helpful for those considering college. Readers describe the book as an easy read with simple truths written plainly. They also mention the humor is hilarious and sarcastic. Opinions differ on the pacing, with some finding it blunt and realistic, while others say it's harsh and painful.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Value for moneyInformation valueReadabilityHumorEase of readingPacing
67 customers mention "Value for money"52 positive15 negative

Customers find the book amazing, enjoyable, and a must-read for anyone about to enter college. They say it's honest, informative, and eye-opening.

"This book is extremely helpful, and highly recommended for students thinking of majoring in a bs studies and taking out $40,000+ to pay for it...." Read more

"...The ROI of this book is high.That said, I don't agree with everything...." Read more

"...Other than that, this was an amazing book!!!" Read more

"...College was almost a complete waste of time because the subject matter was so boring and had nothing to do with anything with which I might be able..." Read more

63 customers mention "Information value"56 positive7 negative

Customers find the book informative, excellent, and helpful for making informed decisions. They say it opens their eyes and makes good life choices. Readers also mention the book is inexpensive for the information you get.

"...THIS BOOK OPENS EYES AND MAKES FOR GOOD LIFE DECISIONS." Read more

"...Other than that the book does an excellent job at being honest and direct at describing what degrees are over-supplied and..." Read more

"This book is extremely helpful, and highly recommended for students thinking of majoring in a bs studies and taking out $40,000+ to pay for it...." Read more

"This book tells the Hard Truth, and I am glad Aaron took the time to do so...." Read more

27 customers mention "Readability"20 positive7 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with simple truths written plain enough for anyone with a grade 6. They say the thesis is adequately and effectively communicated. Readers also mention the writer's prose is casual, easy to read, and often entertaining. They say the book has made them clear-headed about what is worth studying.

"This book changes lives for better. Easy to read for even today's high school graduate...." Read more

"...Early chapters of the book give simple, yet strong arguments for choosing specific majors over others, but does provide much detail on each major...." Read more

"...This is an EASY read, with simple truths written plain enough for anyone with a grade 6 education to understand and apply...." Read more

"...A minor point: the book needs a little editing. I noticed some grammar errors, like using the possessive for the plural...." Read more

13 customers mention "Humor"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book incredibly funny, sarcastic, and jokingly. They say it's informative and straight to the point.

"...Clarey brilliantly tackles here and he does so in an easy, jocularly manner that belies its great importance...." Read more

"...Clarey give brutal breakdown of the education machine and does it with humor and wit that will entertain even grads of public education..." Read more

"I read this book in a day because I had a child in 11th grade. It was so funny and honest and well-written, I couldn't wait for my teen to read it...." Read more

"...You will come out with common sense and a blunt, humorous, and realistic view regarding the college world with a few other topics covered too...." Read more

5 customers mention "Ease of reading"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand, straightforward, and digestible. They appreciate the simple yet strong arguments for choosing specific majors. Readers also mention the numbers are easy to extrapolate to today.

"...Dated numbers but easy to extrapolate to today (and know THINGS ARE WORSE NOW)...." Read more

"...Early chapters of the book give simple, yet strong arguments for choosing specific majors over others, but does provide much detail on each major...." Read more

"...The book is a quick read, plainly spoken and easily digestible...." Read more

"...This book is a much cheaper, easy-to-understand version of a lot of academic mumbo-jumbo.Worth much more than the price." Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some mention it's blunt, humorous, and realistic, while others say it's harsh, with too much bashing and not enough useful information.

"...Aaron Clarey is blunt and straight to the point about what majors are worthless that no one likes to talk about and what majors are worth going in..." Read more

"Very harsh books and very honest. Poor grammar and wording sometimes but consider it as a a talk instead of a book." Read more

"...This book will save you time and money when choosing a degree because it's blunt...." Read more

"...But reading this book is just painful. There must be a better resource!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing book/gift for a High School graduate.
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book changes lives for better. Easy to read for even today's high school graduate. Dated numbers but easy to extrapolate to today (and know THINGS ARE WORSE NOW). Gave to my daughter 20 years ago when girls thought they were going into forensics (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) so she double majored in chemistry. Chemistry is where she made her money (until replaced by chemists from India that failed the jobs and killed the company). Following Aaron Clarey's advice she retrained in computer security and got a security clearance to do secret government work that so far is not outsourced to India. Gave to my niece the classic violist- she majored in music AND engineering. Clarey says musicians marry musicians and stay poor while engineers marry engineers and have much more income. Good to know. Gave to my oldest grandson in his junior year and he early entry US Air Force in a Wanted Specialty. Now at 19 he will get 6 figures when he gets out. (And he is doing high speed fun stuff with like peers he cannot talk about.) I have to get another copy as I have 3 more teenage grandchildren (one a senior) but same family so they can share. THIS BOOK OPENS EYES AND MAKES FOR GOOD LIFE DECISIONS.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Tripleog2010
5.0 out of 5 stars I Wish I Had this book 45 years ago
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2012
Verified Purchase
This was one of the most interesting reads I've had in a long time.

After I completed high school, I was looking forward to going to college and getting done with school.
College was almost a complete waste of time because the subject matter was so boring and had nothing to do with anything with which I might be able to make some money. I learned stupid things like "evolution" which was complete bullshit. Then, my interest was in political science, so I got a few classes in communism. Wow! How am I going to make money as a communist or have such irrational thinking such as evolution.

One of the happiest days of my life is when I walked off the campus, never to return again. I was about 20 years old. At that time I already had a great work history and was capable of running a supermarket on my own. I just didn't care for the industry. Nothing I learned with a communist arts major was going to do me any good. The only class that seemed to help me a little was Public Speaking. I enjoyed that as I already knew how to do it, but I received some refining.

So unless you're going to study something that can make you some money, I wouldn't go through the expense of it. I managed to make more money than my friends because I worked mostly for myself after 1971. I never go fired or laid off. I never walked in front of the mirror and fired myself. I always had a job and I was hardly ever out of work.

Even some of the sciences are crack-brained. It just goes to show that these "scientists" have too much time on their hands.

My goal in life was to get married and have children. That I was able to accomplish quite nicely and I maintained an upper middle class lifestyle.

Choosing a stupid major like I did with Political Science is just crazy. There's no science in politics. Politics is just a bunch of thugs who will put people in a cage, or worse yet, kill them because they might disagree with government agenda.

Most of the first two years was a repeat of high school and a complete waste of time. If you want to learn specific things, then go to those places that can teach it or learn it on your own. I highly recommend this book.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Rob Bettla
5.0 out of 5 stars Great content, mediocre design
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
Let's call a spade a spade, the author got the brutal honesty right and does not make any bones about telling teens what degrees are a waste of time but got one thing wrong, he let his personal experiences and emotions get in the way when describing "immoral" degree choices. A person well versed in math advocating for STEM should not have, let emotions get in the way and instead offer a cool, dispassionate view of what is worth studying or not. The other problem this book has is its commercial presentation as the cover is mediocre (seems to have been made with Microsoft paint instead of photoshop) In today's competitive market an ebook requires a cover that expresses attention to detail. The author could have used a cheap stock photo image and modify the Gothic font but didn't. In today's ebook market people do judge ebooks by their covers which limits the reach this book has with teens, whose attention span is already limited to 5 minute youtube videos at best. If only the author had the means to convert this book into a comedic youtube series featuring famous you tubers (but there would be a catch: if you are a youtuber there is a 50% chance you may have studied a worthless degree such as communications) Other than that the book does an excellent job at being honest and direct at describing what degrees are over-supplied and which ones are under-supplied which is a concept sorely lacking with teens, who need a metaphoric slap in the face before committing to degrees that are over-supplied at ratios of 30:1 or worse.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Angelica
4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for High School and College Students
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is extremely helpful, and highly recommended for students thinking of majoring in a bs studies and taking out $40,000+ to pay for it. Liberal politics has gone too far and it has deceived too many high school students and especially college students like myself to begin their adult lives in debt for a useless major. This book gives you a nice dose of reality that many young people nowadays desperately need.

Early chapters of the book give simple, yet strong arguments for choosing specific majors over others, but does provide much detail on each major. Instead, the book encourages students to spend time researching their major before they pursue it, which is both a plus and a minus. Besides that, the book is one if the best resources for choosing the right major.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Skye
5.0 out of 5 stars Great analysis on the value of degrees from diploma mills
Reviewed in Canada on September 17, 2024
Verified Purchase
Gave to a young relative who is considering university next year
Report
Zoom
4.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for the input Cappy
Reviewed in France on January 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
Excellent book, excellent logic. Straight to the point. However, you should proofread your books more. I see mistakes in every one I read and my mother tongue is not english.
Report
Karl O.
4.0 out of 5 stars Every pre college student should buy this book, brutal honesty, tough love type
Reviewed in Spain on September 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
It’s a book that one should read before going to university or college. Brutal honesty by the author which is good, but starting sentences with “and” or “but” shows bad grammar, editor needed… otherwise, very informative. I advise any high school student to read it
Report
Clifford
5.0 out of 5 stars mandatory reading for youths
Reviewed in Singapore on October 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
Madatory reading for youths
Report
Kim Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Contrary to the title this is one of the most valuable books you will ever read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2016
Verified Purchase
Contrary to the title this is one of the most valuable books you will ever read. One of those rare books that could save you a fortune and help you make your fortune, providing you listen to sense and can be bothered to push yourself. The options may seem bewildering at times; this book will help you whittle those options down and make informed decisions regarding what society actually needs and will continue to need in the future. Don't flush your life down the pan with debt and lost opportunity costs from taking a pointless degree - some of which may be less obvious than they seem. Don't let the big education racket sucker you into a life of indentured servitude.
Report