God bless Larry Gonick, for showing, not just that info comics could be every bit as fun and interesting as action and adventure titles, but that one could actually make a career doing them. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early days of The Cartoon History of the Universe, and I’m always happy ...more
Quite nice. Just by chance I read it at the same time as The Communist Manifesto: A Graphic Novel. I recommend that one only for the graphics, but this one has more recommendable content. Both books point out that unrestrained capitalism can lead to some bad outcomes, including exploitation of worke ...more
This is a great intro to the problems of capitalism and how it infects near all aspects of contemporary life (from global politics to personal fulfillment). There's a nice overview of various facets of capitalism with supporting statistical evidence of how bad things have gotten.
The authors are preaching to the choir on this one.
It is a good primer on capitalism (both pros and cons) and it's twisted offspring "hypercapitalism." Part II looks at ways to combat our current economic system. ...more
I finally read this book and I’m very glad that I did. It is very well done. I know Tim Kasser and Knox College well and I went to his talk before this book was published. I loved all of the graphs, charts, and info that he talked about. It was put simply and was a long read even though it is a grap ...more
A sobering yet clearly and carefully explained look at how hypercapitalism came to be and how it conflicts with humans' internal values of universalism and benevolence. But the important powerful message of how hypercapitalism is merely a social system amongst many and that it can change if many peo ...more
I'm reading this book because 2020 has made me increasingly extra anti-capitalist and because one of the authors, Tim Kasser, employed my mother as a research assistant many years ago.
Review: This book should be required reading for everyone. 2020 has exposed many of these problems to the larger publ ...more
Lary Gonick draws and explains marvellously and this time he teams up with someone who has taught and researched topic for decades. Excellent book with hopeful suggestions and a great reference list. ...more
Excellent excellent read. Tells the story of capitalism, connects it to human psychology, and gives strategies to firm grassroots economies at the end. As a follower of Jesus, I heartily commend this work! ...more
This book is incredibly funny! And trust me, you'll need a few laughs after this discussion of how capitalism works and how it affects people's psychology. Luckily, the last section of the book has some suggestions for how normal folks can help reign in the beast. Pretty inspiring stuff! ...more
Hypercapitalism, Larry Gonick and Tim Kasser, 2018, ISBN 9781620972823
In graphic novel form, this book attempts nothing less than an accessible explanation of capitalism. It also shows how present-day worship of markets harms a person's well-being and the planet's health.
"Extensive research shows, the more people & societies prioritize materialistic values, less they care about promoting well-being, fair treatment of others, & environment sustainability." As most US businesses continue "to carry on as usual, overselling their stuff, pumping up profits, holding down ...more
The cartoons are great, there is a great deal of humor and if you like, one can color the book. Seriously, though, this book explains clearly why hyper-capitalism is not sustainable to the earth, or to the well-being of human relationships. ...more
This is a great and easy-to-read summation of what's wrong with the American economy today, how the grow-or-die capitalism that will eventually consume the planet and destroy humankind right along with it. There's only about 1% of us who can sluff off such a message cuz, no matter what happens, at l ...more
If you're like me, and you get tripped up when arguing with people who are super pro-capitalism because you have a dearth of knowledge on the subject, this book is for you. ...more
I wish this were essential reading for all business students (and beyond). This is both easily digestible and packed with information on the rise of capitalism in our nation and our world. The authors demonstrate how the free market has gotten completely out of hand, going beyond what Adam Smith had ...more