Large retail chains have become the most powerful corporations in America and are rapidly transforming our economy, communities, and landscape. In ...
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reviews
Sep 04, 2010
Book
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 14, 2011
Helena
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Full disclosure: I stopped reading halfway through. I got the point, and it was too depressing to continue reading. But it contains lots of good information, and I'd recommend checking it out if this is a topic that interests you. I haven't been able to set foot in a Wal-Mart since reading this, which has forced me to seek out (local, where possible) alternatives to the very few things I had only been able to find there.
I would be interested to see how things have changed in the year More...
I would be interested to see how things have changed in the year More...
Jul 16, 2009
Brian
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I try to get both sides of the story on issues and make up my mind based on the weight and validity of the arguments. For the opposing side to this book I looked at Penn & Teller's show Bullshit, and the episode they did on Walmart. Unfortunately Milt Friedman is dead so it is kind of hard to get a free market advocate that isn't over the top so they will have to do.
In summary here's their arguments for Walmart.
Walmart forces suppliers and competitors to be more efficient More...
In summary here's their arguments for Walmart.
Walmart forces suppliers and competitors to be more efficient More...
Jun 19, 2008
Alice
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It's been a part of my upbringing, having grown up on Cape Cod, the daughter of mainstream hippies, that larger retailers are to be avoided, but I never really thought about why that might be; it was as fundamental a truth as exercise being good for me and junk food being bad. So I was already convinced of the message of this book when I read it: that big-box retailers do more harm to local (and the American) economy than they help. This book contains many, many examples and illustrations of
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Jan 16, 2009
Becky
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This was eye opening and inspired me to be much more conscious of where I'm spending my money, especially on everyday items. Unfortunately, it really depressed me and made me feel a little hopeless about the plight of small business owners, of which I am one.
With my new-found interest in being more supportive of the small time retailer. I went on vacation with my hubby to apple country (Sonoma) After researching a nice apple orchard and country store to visit while we were there, we plunc More...
With my new-found interest in being more supportive of the small time retailer. I went on vacation with my hubby to apple country (Sonoma) After researching a nice apple orchard and country store to visit while we were there, we plunc More...
Jun 25, 2008
Alyson
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I'm not sure how anyone could shop at Walmart, or any big-box store, after reading this book. Once you peel back all of the stinky, rotten layers of how these corporations do business and how they destroy the fabric and identity of so many communities when they move into town, you realize how these stores really cost us all more in the long run, despite the seductive promise of low prices. Mitchell does an excellent job of systematically knocking down every argument in favor of big-box stores. N
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Jun 17, 2010
Oliver
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It took me a long time to get through this book, mostly because it made me really sad. The first 2/3 of the book (at least) is about all of the terrible consequences of big-box retail in the US. I can only read about small towns and city neighborhoods being destroyed by Wal-Mart so many times before I feel a little hopeless. However, I do think that these stories are important to hear. The last 1/3 of the book is more hopeful, describing ways that communities can fight back against corporate
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Jan 10, 2009
dgw
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I enjoyed the first part of the book more than the second part. Towards the end, I found it starting to get tedious and ended up skimming the last chapter and a half. (Then again, I'm just reading for fun, not doing research or anything.)
However, the whole thing is very well-researched, and I think is a worthwhile read, even if you just read the first half.
However, the whole thing is very well-researched, and I think is a worthwhile read, even if you just read the first half.
Aug 13, 2010
Sarah
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Another one I read for the article I'm working on. Has lots of good, yet disturbing information about how much of what we purchase is controlled by a few large retailers (primarily Wal-Mart). Definitely written with a bit of bias, but uses interviews and some research to support most contentions.
Dec 28, 2008
Half way through this one. If you like Naomi Klein, Jeremy Scahill, Chris Hedges and that lot, you'll like this. One thing: no mention of the Reverend Billy. Odd. Just watched 'Walmart, the high cost of low price' on DVD. That's good too.
Aug 21, 2007
Joshua
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FUCK WAL-MART. I've always said that and I constantly read/watch reasons why that statement makes sense. I have never shopped at a Wal-Mart and I rather get punched in the face than do so. And I rather pay more money elsewhere...yup, I am an indie kind of guy. Good read, great facts, easy on the eyes, and once again Fuck Wal-Mart. Shopping there is just hurting everyone around you. SALES are founded on dead kittens, old peoples tears, and gun pointed at the working man. Eh...uhhh...just r
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Oct 22, 2008
Mike
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I found this book to be eye-opening as to some of the economic and social ills associated with "big box" chain stores. It definitely has me thinking about my own shopping preferences and how those might be changed. That said though, I believe that the author places too much of the blame for the problems she describes on the Big Box stores themselves. It seems to me that the big box retail phenomenon is as much a symptom of broader changes in our society over the past 60 years (or mo
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Sep 28, 2010
Leslie
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"I liked it" doesn't quite cover what has to be said. It is a book that should be read, but not one that I looked forward to sitting and reading. While the last half shows that there are some bright spots to the appalling big-box takeovers throughout the world, it was a hard slog.
May 25, 2008
Jacob
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Very well written and researched book that highlights many ways that large retailers gain an unfair advantage over small business owners. I worked at WAL*MART for a number of months and no know idea the many underhanded tricks they used to gain an advantage. Many of these tactics should be illegal are illegal in many states and other countries but WAL*MART uses it's clout to prevent laws from being enacted and to reverse laws that constrain it.
Dec 17, 2009
Angel
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I borrowed this one from the UHD Library. I liked it, and I also recommended it to my students, crossposting from my blog to the student resource blog I maintain. Wal-Mart and Big-Boxes are a popular freshman composition topic here, thus the recommendation.
Here is a link to the note I wrote about it in my personal blog:
[http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/06/booknote-big-box-swindle.html]
Here is a link to the note I wrote about it in my personal blog:
[http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/06/booknote-big-box-swindle.html]
Jun 05, 2009
Adam
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An important book to read and understand, unfortunately it's an easy book to put down unfinished. It's message felt a little repetitive to me, and I feel like it could have been condensed. Overall it significantly altered by purchasing habits. I would recommend it to everyone.
Feb 09, 2010
So far, this book has been a poignant critique of the big-box store boom in America, and what we are trading in order to shop at these stores: our local independent businesses, our greenspace, and our feeling of place. I'm only a few chapters in....
Feb 24, 2008
Trish
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This book forced me to think about my shopping habits. It is frustrating to be surrounded by big box stores, and to see small independent shops close. I will go out of my way to support a local business as a result of reading this book.
Nov 20, 2007
Every time a person mentions Amazon, Borders, or B&N, it makes me cringe. Running an independent bookstore in the 21st century is truly a labor of love. So this is not bedtime reading, it stirs me up too much to get a good night's sleep.
Dec 17, 2009
Katie
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Big Box stores control our lives! Really - I was freaked out after reading this and vowed never to shop at any of the big stores - it worked for about a week. This book will make you think and maybe change your shopping habits.
Feb 24, 2008
Vickie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 29, 2007
Shelley
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I knew I shouldn't shop at chain stores like WalMart but I wasn't totally sure why. This lays out all the reasons and they are very convincing. It is very well researched and very interesting.
Dec 04, 2007
Pam
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Got me not to shop at Target for about six months. I'm pretty good at avoiding other big boxes.
Seriously upsetting and convincing,
and well written
Seriously upsetting and convincing,
and well written
Mar 09, 2008
Dave
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want to know why we shop where we do? After reading this, I took a hard look at how I spend my money and no longer shop at places like Wal-Mart
Jun 29, 2010
Pattie
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You'll never look at Walmart or Home Depot the same way again. Shows how we subsidize these monstrosities, and how they rape our communities.
May 06, 2008
Jessica
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This is kind of a scary look at how a few very large corporations affect so many aspects of our lives.
(Not just Wal-Mart!)
(Not just Wal-Mart!)
Apr 25, 2008
Jen
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There is good information in this book, but it probably could have been trimmed by 30 pages or so. A bit repetitive at times.
Oct 02, 2008
Josie
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Good information and ideas, but not the best organization.
We have it in the SCCS library, if you're interested.
We have it in the SCCS library, if you're interested.
