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  <title><![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]></title>
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  <description><![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]></description>
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    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
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    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
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  <read_at>Mon Dec 29 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Jul 27 18:27:18 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Dec 30 23:50:39 -0800 2008</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[I don't even know where to start on reviewing this book other than to say that every once in awhile I read a book that can completely shake me to the core.  I haven't lost this much sleep since my youngest was an infant.  I am up at 2 a.m. wondering, &quot;Am I trying to keep up with the Joneses? (m...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/28463018">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
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    <rating>0</rating>
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  <date_added>Tue Dec 30 09:02:53 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Dec 30 09:05:38 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Do you know what I always seem to buy too much of? Bananas. I am always tossing brown bananas in the trash. But I never slow down my banana purchasing. I think it's because I feel lame buying just one or two bananas. I feel like you need to buy a whole bundle to justify the purchase. I am also afrai...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41285913">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41285913]]></url>
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      <review>
  <id>11667482</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Roger]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Huntsville, TX]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
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  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
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    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Jan 04 17:11:01 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Jan 15 22:50:35 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[1. Our society's constant desire to upgrade everything (cars, homes, furnishings, clothes, etc.) is a relatively new trend. <br/> <br/>2. Studies show that we have more than ever, but we aren't any happier than earlier generations.<br/><br/>3.  True or false?  On average, for every hour people w...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11667482">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11667482]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
  <id>3903928</id>
    <user>
    <id>239087</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Mark]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Los Angeles, CA]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
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  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Aug 01 08:35:44 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Aug 01 08:37:38 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[One of the better books about consumption / work / materialism / money / self-worth. It's interesting how a book like this can go right hand in hand with a book about investing and financial independence. <br/><br/>Would like to go back and re-read this one soon.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3903928]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3903928]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>76781523</id>
    <user>
    <id>2911771</id>
    <name><![CDATA[May-Ling]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
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  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Jan 03 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Nov 04 23:06:18 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Nov 05 11:22:59 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[i really cannot say enough good things about this book. it's well-written, well-researched and incredibly interesting. the most shocking thing to me is that the content is so relevant to today and yet it was written in 1998.<br/><br/>also, it was good timing for me since we just rented 'what would...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76781523">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76781523]]></url>
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      <review>
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  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
            <shelf name="whenlivingpaychecktopaycheck" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[people trying to make a budget]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Jul 03 08:21:41 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Jul 03 08:27:30 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I re-read this book whenever I feel like spending a huge amount of money on things I don't really need.  Its an excellent snapshot of lower middle class spending since the 1970's and into the 80's.  If you want to read this book, pick up the updated version published in 1998 - this one is too outdat...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2668432">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2668432]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2668432]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>27174652</id>
    <user>
    <id>1326172</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Carolyn]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1326172-carolyn]]></link>
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  <id type="integer">178931</id>
  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Jul 13 21:16:28 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Jul 13 21:18:04 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[As good as this book is, it’s outdated. The most recent research is about 1998, and a lot has changed in 10 years. It’s a shame that things haven’t been updated, since I think as time goes on the information has only become more relevant.<br/><br/>If it’s good enough to keep in print, why ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27174652">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27174652]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27174652]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>4492419</id>
    <user>
    <id>216284</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Mark]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Pittsburgh, PA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/216284-mark]]></link>
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  <id type="integer">178931</id>
  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
            <shelf name="sociology" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Aug 13 14:45:24 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Aug 13 14:47:38 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[From buying stuff we don't need to overextending ourselves on credit, we give Juliet Schor plenty of ammunition for her thesis. Her book has good anecdotes and lively writing, but also is backed by solid research on our spending patterns and the relationship between consumption and happiness (limite...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4492419">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4492419]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4492419]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>30598141</id>
    <user>
    <id>86566</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Rachel]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Astoria, NY]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/86566-rachel]]></link>
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  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Aug 19 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Aug 19 17:54:58 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Aug 19 17:58:49 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[A book that made me think hard about my own spending habits-that's a miracle. The first half is stronger than the second-mostly because I wasn't impressed with her sample of downshifters (and their concerns/examples are a bit dated). Still, well worth the read if you're in to this kind of thing.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/30598141]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/30598141]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>20195438</id>
    <user>
    <id>1084356</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Terresa]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Henderson, NV]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1084356-terresa-wellborn]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1253999707p3/1084356.jpg]]></image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">178931</id>
  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2004</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Apr 14 21:44:29 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Apr 14 21:46:32 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Cool book.  Schor is intelligent and a dynamic writer.  She reviews Americans spending habits, including the &quot;Make take&quot; cycle, etc.  Among other things, she suggests to avoid “retail therapy” (spending is addictive) and become an educated consumer.  Rock on Schor! ]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/20195438]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/20195438]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>15237860</id>
    <user>
    <id>864138</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Kathy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Huron, OH]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/864138-kathy-beatty]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-111x148.jpg]]></image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">178931</id>
  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[everyone]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[Mae Boscana]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Feb 12 09:05:49 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Feb 12 09:07:37 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Another life-changing book! I thought that I was &quot;above&quot; being manipulated by corporations. But, I learned that I was not. Read it, you will never impulse buy without thinking again.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/15237860]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/15237860]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>52584016</id>
    <user>
    <id>2096467</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Connie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Salt Lake City, UT]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2096467-connie]]></link>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">178931</id>
  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[anyone who spends money]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[book club read]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon May 04 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Apr 13 19:58:55 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon May 18 08:56:19 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count>once</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Not a self help book, but helpful nevertheless.  It has triggered self intervention on my spending habits which are out of control.  I took copious notes and can read them as a Reader's Digest book anytime I need a refresher course. I would not buy the book, however, because the references are somew...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52584016">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52584016]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52584016]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>7729167</id>
    <user>
    <id>522279</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Jessica]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Houston, TX]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/522279-jessica]]></link>
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  <id type="integer">178931</id>
  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Oct 14 20:14:24 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Oct 14 20:15:25 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[interesting. but went it told me to save my time and energy by not blowdrying my hair...she must not have my hair and live in the humidity. ]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7729167]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7729167]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>73934559</id>
    <user>
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    <name><![CDATA[Sholland]]></name>
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  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
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    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
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    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at>Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Oct 08 21:10:01 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Oct 10 19:24:02 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Interesting read although a little dated, 1998 (mentions that some people think the reliance on credit is unsustainable - ya think?).  Would be nice to see an update.  Am somewhat relieved that I can't identify lipstick brands at any distance.  A little patronizing in the explanation of regression m...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73934559">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73934559]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73934559]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>35293301</id>
    <user>
    <id>1619688</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Chip]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[San Francisco, CA]]></location>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
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  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Oct 14 11:32:04 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Oct 14 11:34:28 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[A concerned look at Consumer Culture. This book warned of an impending credit crunch almost exactly 10 years ago.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35293301]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35293301]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>30285824</id>
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    <id>1381942</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Tiny Pants]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[San Diego, CA]]></location>
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  <id type="integer">462268</id>
  <isbn>0465060560</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780465060566</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">5</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American : Upscaling, Downshifting, and the New Consumer]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174960787m/462268.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174960787s/462268.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.50</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>14</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2001</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Aug 15 22:11:41 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Aug 19 19:52:06 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[On rereading this book I had to downgrade it from a four-star review to a three. Schor's argument in this book is extremely persuasive, but on close inspection, it's pretty easy -- a little too easy considering she's at Harvard -- to poke some pretty big holes in it.<br/><br/>Schor details the way...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/30285824">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/30285824]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/30285824]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>9126284</id>
    <user>
    <id>110809</id>
    <name><![CDATA[leighcia]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Wynnewood, PA]]></location>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Nov 14 17:03:20 -0800 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Nov 14 17:03:31 -0800 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book is really excellent for anyone who cares about consumerism, but find themselves estranged by the harshness or extremeness of Adbusters and other anti-consumerism/anti-corporate books and groups. Schor’s argument is essentially the same, but her method is more explanatory and empirical. ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9126284">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9126284]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9126284]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>41174775</id>
    <user>
    <id>784513</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Danielle]]></name>
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  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Fri May 22 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Dec 29 08:18:51 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Jun 03 14:54:33 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I wanted to read this as affirmation of a position I already strongly hold (consumerism is of the devil). I got that, but found it didn't hold my attention very well because the information was so outdated. It's based on research done in the early 90s, and while you know every scandalous statistic s...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41174775">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41174775]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41174775]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
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  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925s/178931.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <read_at>Fri Apr 10 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Mar 21 10:58:55 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Apr 10 19:56:51 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book was interesting and contained some good strategies for avoiding the pervasive consumerism in our society.  However, it wasn't super readable in my opinion.  I also felt that Schor made a lot of assumptions from her statistics that weren't necessarily valid.  All in all, an interesting book...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49965257">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49965257]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49965257]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>79662464</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Amelia]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Berkeley, CA]]></location>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">178931</id>
  <isbn>0060977582</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780060977580</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">35</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172464925m/178931.jpg</image_url>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178931.The_Overspent_American_Why_We_Want_What_We_Don_t_Need</link>
  <average_rating>3.69</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>212</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[If getting and spending define our lives, then Juliet Schor now has us covered. Six years ago, her book <em>The Overworked American</em> scrutinized the getting part. It focused public attention on the disappearance of leisure and the harmful effects thereof on families and society. It sparked a debate over whether Americans really work as much as we proudly claim. (If so, how to explain the audience for <em>Monday Night Football</em>?) Nevertheless, Schor can take credit for helping push Congress into passing the Family Leave Act in 1993. <p> Now she is back with a critique of our spending. Schor notes that, despite rising wealth and incomes, Americans do not feel any better off. In fact, we tell pollsters we do not have enough money to buy everything we need. And we are almost as likely to say so if we make $85,000 a year as we are if we make $35,000. Schor believes that &quot;keeping up with the Joneses&quot; is no longer enough for today's media-savvy office workers. We set our sights on the lifestyles of those higher up the organizational chart. We seek to emulate characters on TV. For teenagers, &quot;enough&quot; is the idle splendor that hardly exists outside of what MTV un-ironically calls <em>The Real World</em>. Schor offers an original and provocative analysis of why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite our success. As an alternative, she profiles several &quot;downshifters&quot; who've taken up voluntary simplicity in search of a more satisfying way of life. No policy solutions suggest themselves this time, only a change of heart. <em>--Barry Mitzman</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1998</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sun Nov 29 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Dec 02 12:13:30 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Dec 02 12:23:46 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book is about the cycle of overspending in the US.<br/><br/>It is a pretty fast read and gives insight into why we overspend and who is overspending.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79662464]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79662464]]></link>
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