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ppeynetti's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
tbpardue's review against another edition
5.0
That our current political and economic system is a powerful engine for redistribution from the poor to the rich is an argument that deserves much more coverage.
knbee's review against another edition
3.0
Compared to other books I’ve read in the past few years about the white working class, this felt much more academic in tone, which is no surprise, I guess, considering the authors are wife and husband economists at Princeton. Lots of graphs and rather long-winded explanations of graphs. If you’re looking for DATA, here you go. What it lacked was human connection, real representation of those affected by circumstances that lead to higher rates of deaths of despair. Plus, some of the data seemed underdeveloped to me, like their bachelor’s degree line-in-the-sand. AND their solutions seemed more about toeing a real safe line, ones that are digestible for the rich, rather than ones that might bring real change. All that said, I definitely learned a thing or two and appreciate their research on capitalism’s many failures in this country.
iread2much's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. I think that what the authors discovered and the data they present is incredibly important and should be something that anyone interested in the future of capitalistic societies should be reading. However, the authors are not able to write a compelling book. They repeat themselves constantly, which does drive home their point, but they manage to do it in such a way that I have completely forgotten their point. The last two chapters were somewhat engaging, but that's it. This book is full of interesting and meaningful data, but getting to that data and trying to understand what the authors were saying was not enjoyable in the least.
Summary:
The American health care system is the greatest cause of the increasing death of white, less educated (working class) adults. The other factors include loss of meaningful work (jobs that once offered upward mobility now are stagnate and different parts of the operations are often hired through contractors with limited pay and benefits or are outsourced over seas) the decline of unions, and stagnate wages.
Summary:
The American health care system is the greatest cause of the increasing death of white, less educated (working class) adults. The other factors include loss of meaningful work (jobs that once offered upward mobility now are stagnate and different parts of the operations are often hired through contractors with limited pay and benefits or are outsourced over seas) the decline of unions, and stagnate wages.
nrt43's review against another edition
3.0
Case and Denton take a bird's eye view of what is becoming a growing trend - deaths of despair - namely, deaths from alcoholism, drug addiction and suicide. These particular deaths are occurring particularly among non-Hispanic whites between the ages of 45 and 54. Here is their explanation of why, and it isn't because of poverty or merely loss of jobs.
For a fantastic review, please see Dr. Atul Gawande's from the New Yorker.
The book is far-reaching and multi-disciplinary. With broad strokes, they paint a vivid picture of what is not going well and it's a lot. They do include some suggested changes. Yet, for me it didn't feel very hopeful. The needed changes feel far away. And so much more could, perhaps, needed to be said to complete their arguments.
For a fantastic review, please see Dr. Atul Gawande's from the New Yorker.
The book is far-reaching and multi-disciplinary. With broad strokes, they paint a vivid picture of what is not going well and it's a lot. They do include some suggested changes. Yet, for me it didn't feel very hopeful. The needed changes feel far away. And so much more could, perhaps, needed to be said to complete their arguments.
bootman's review against another edition
5.0
Once again, I was growing increasingly tired, annoyed, and frustrated seeing articles and news stories blaming social media for depression and anxiety. So, I revisited the best book written with actual data about the reason for deaths of despair. Deaths of despair are deaths from suicide, overdoses, and alcohol-related health issues. Deaton and Case are economists (one is a Nobel prize winner), and they’ve found that good ol’ capitalism is the reason for all of these preventable deaths.
I can’t recommend this book enough. By reading this, you’ll understand the true causes of why so many people are miserable and losing hope. It’s not social media ruining our children, it’s overworked, underpaid parents who are too busy and stressed to properly parent these kids. This book will show you the actual root of the problem, and you need to go get it now if you haven’t read it yet.
I can’t recommend this book enough. By reading this, you’ll understand the true causes of why so many people are miserable and losing hope. It’s not social media ruining our children, it’s overworked, underpaid parents who are too busy and stressed to properly parent these kids. This book will show you the actual root of the problem, and you need to go get it now if you haven’t read it yet.
bub_9's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really magnificent work about what is a true crisis. Everyone should read this, and also this brilliant review: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/03/23/why-americans-are-dying-from-despair
However, I do wonder if it is a bit too slanted towards healthcare? It sometimes seeks to draw all the failings of Anglo-American capitalism back to dysfunctional healthcare, and I do wonder if that's necessarily correct.
However, I do wonder if it is a bit too slanted towards healthcare? It sometimes seeks to draw all the failings of Anglo-American capitalism back to dysfunctional healthcare, and I do wonder if that's necessarily correct.
lillulu's review against another edition
4.0
I would be fascinated to read an updated version of this data following the COVID-19 pandemic and how the social isolation and increase in chronic illnesses has impacted the US and its healthcare system.