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juleswbee's review
3.0
It may be because I read this for a class, but I found that the writing was quite dry and hard to get through. I found it very informative, however, I don't believe that I would feel compelled to read the parts that I missed in class.
sbelasco40's review against another edition
4.0
So I didn't finish this because the end of the semester happened and I got entirely burnt out, but I will say that what I read was interesting, smart and incisive. Pierson and Hacker are currently kind of rock stars in the poli-sci world, partly because they make very complicated issues - in this case America's unprecedented spike in income inequality - understandable for those of us who don't have extensive background in econ or policy. The argument they make here for how the U.S. government effectively tips the scales in the favor of the already favored rich (forget the 1%, it's more like the.1%) is convincing and devastating. My only complaint is I wish they'd talk a little more about the poor versus the conventional focus on the middle class. Yes, it's striking how the U.S. doesn't really have a middle class anymore if you look at the ridiculous skew of wealth in this country, but it's even more shocking how much of this country lives in poverty while those at the very top exploit tax loopholes and complain about the way the government is bleeding them dry.
jpowerj's review against another edition
5.0
Whoof. Well, this kind of seals the deal for my decision to study political science. A devastatingly poignant examination of how the US government, mostly due to "drift", or the failure to do anything in the face of corporate and Republican malfeasance, bears a huge amount of responsibility for our nation's current disgusting levels of inequality and inequitable growth.
eelsmac's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting stuff, compelling argument, needs an editor.
marcosduran's review against another edition
4.0
Great book on the rallying of corporate interests for control of our government. Their main tool, money, cannot be matched by organizations that exist to protect citizens and consumers.
eechristman's review against another edition
4.0
descriptive rather than analytical
shocking stats
doesn't address ideology
shocking stats
doesn't address ideology
basedmarimo's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars. I basically wrote a review of this for my class, which I will post soon. I think this is essential reading for ANYONE who cares about how capitalism and democracy have come to be in tension in modern times (i.e. you really vibe with Bernie's tirades against the 1 percent--which are very much warranted).
postcorporeal's review against another edition
i had to read this for a class at a time where i had/have little to no attention span
i retained maybe half of this information
i'm sure it was very well-written and informational
kill capitalism now
i retained maybe half of this information
i'm sure it was very well-written and informational
kill capitalism now