The Price of Inequality

How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future

By: Joseph E. Stiglitz

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The top 1 percent of Americans control 40 percent of the nation's wealth. And, as Joseph E. Stiglitz explains, while those at the top enjoy the best health care, education, and benefits of wealth, they fail to realize that "their fate is bound up with how the other 99 percent live."

Stiglitz draws on his deep understanding of economics to show that growing inequality is not inevitable: moneyed interests compound their wealth by stifling true, dynamic capitalism. They have made America the most unequal advanced industrial country while crippling growth, trampling on the rule of law, and undermining democracy. The result: a divided society that cannot tackle its most pressing problems. With characteristic insight, Stiglitz examines our current state, then teases out its implications for democracy, for monetary and budgetary policy, and for globalization. He closes with a plan for a more just and prosperous future.

©2012 Joseph E. Stiglitz (P)2012 Tantor

It will make your blood boil

Regardless of your political leanings, if you can tolerate the leftist Obama era claptrap in the first three chapters, this is an excellent book about how capitalism in America has been corrupted by political policy paid for and abetted by corporate lobbyists. It will make your blood boil.

A Must Read For Every American

Well written, forcefully sets forth information that is easily understood about a vital topic that will affect us all in this century. In light of the results of the 2016 election it explains the anger of the American electorate, and the conflict that threatens to end the democratic experiment known as the United States of America.

Great Book

This is a really thoughtful, well-argued book. You will gain valuable new perspectives on economics and American society from reading it.

Probably Better on Paper

Books like this one, presumably with charts and tables, are probably better with another medium. However, if you are going to listen to it as I did, it still does a pretty good job. Economic principles are pretty clearly explained, though if it is your first introduction to economics, you will probably want to look a few things up (moral hazard, market failures etc.), but he does't bury you in a mountain of technical language.

As Stiglitz disclaims early, this is not a work for peer review. It is for popular consumption so if you are looking for some deep explanation as to how he arrived at his claims, you'll be left wanting.

I am usually frustrated with books that prescribe solutions that we "merely lack the political will," to accomplish. It seems like activist thumb-twiddling. Every book of this type seems to have a portion like that. This one is no exception. I find the repetition of this trope frustrating.

extraordinary

Where does The Price of Inequality rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is one of the best

What other book might you compare The Price of Inequality to and why?

why nations fail

Have you listened to any of Paul Boehmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

honest truth about unregulated economy and its dire consequences to society

Any additional comments?

pleased to listen to that audiobook on the way to work and back home thank you

Important book

Well argued and will make you angry. This book should be mandatory for Business students, if for no other reason than to give them some perspective of a side never taught in business school.
I have an MBA and remember clearly the skepticism and derision heaped on the one professor who presented a balanced perspective. This book would stand a chance at giving the other side a fair hearing both because it is well argued and because of the author’s credentials

Required Reading

This book is an illuminating foray into the failings of our current political and economic systems. Presented in clear and cogent writing, it is spellbinding. Insightful identification of the problems and commonsensical solutions to eradicate them. Explains the current Trump phenomenon, where some of the 99% have finally discovered that they have been played. However because of racism, nativism, and ignorance, have misdirected their anger at the wrong people!

Economy for the 1% by the 1%

Economy for the 1%, by the 1% and of the 1% pretty much explains The Price of Inequality. Stiglitz's talks about how the policies since pre-Reagan have kept the 1% fully in control and that even though they felt the downturns in the economy they were protected by total devastation that many incurred. The author's discussion of the failing student load program that impoverishes new job seekers who are entering an economy with fewer jobs due to automation and off shoring was eye opening.

Informative yet repetitive

The book makes a lot of good points, asks good questions and instead of just complaining offers solutions.

But it could have been shorter. Several times I'd stop to double check that I somehow didn't rewind the book because I'd heard that section before.

Prepare to have your naivety removed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an important book to understanding the machinations occuring behind the scandals, bailouts, recessions, unemployment and many other factors widening the gulf between the haves and have-nots. The elimination of the middle-class is characterized as the short-sighted goal of the super-rich and the giant corporations.

What about Paul Boehmer’s performance did you like?

Very clear enunciation and pleasant tone add to an upbeat performance, which must be difficult considering the breadth of the material and the potentially disheartening information.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The book is so engaging that I would have loved to have listened to this book in one sitting, but it is too thorough and lengthy to accomplish that feat. However, the length of the book should not dissuade anyone from reading it.

Any additional comments?

Though Stiglitz is not above lashing out at the political right, the financial elite, giant corporations, and military expenditures he provides a depth of facts and examples that support his positions. It is hard to disagree with his position when it is so well illuminated. It will be hard to passively watch the news after reading this book.