Ponzinomics

The Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing

By: Robert L. FitzPatrick

Narrated by: Robert L. FitzPatrick

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick, author of False Profits, is the first comprehensive account of how "multi-level marketing" was created in America, escaped criminal and civil prosecution, and spread all over the world. It is the first book to fully explain how the legitimate business of "direct selling" was turned into pyramid recruiting.

Ponzinomics dissects the elements that distinguish multi-level marketing from legitimate sales, and reveals how a business could become a delusional belief. Ponzinomics reveals how multi-level marketing helped to lay a foundation on Main Street of pervasive deception, financial self-destruction, authoritarian leader-worship, and economic make-believe. Ponzinomics is a discomforting look at the threads of American culture, business, and politics that were woven into what has become the largest scam on Main Street.

©2020 Robert L. FitzPatrick (P)2021 Robert L. FitzPatrick

Ponzinomics, the truth about MLM scams..

I was as most people in their lifetimes now, also, recruited into the Amway scam. For me, it went rather painless thankfully. Only about 2 months of time wasted and about a thousand EUR. Estonia.

This book describes what I later learned for what it was. A brainwashing cult. You will get a glimpse of the origins of the roots of the pyramid scam companies and their endless recruitment chain schemes. This book will tell you all you need to know about why it's a scam. It will not tell you how to rescue loved ones from it. But nonetheless, it will educate you on what it truly is aside the smoke and mirrors.
I wholeheartedly reccommend. For whenever someone of your close ones ever comes to you with the disguised proposition of a social gathering and then to reel you in, you will know to tell them what they're really dealing with.

Conclusively, MLM pyramids are modern day slavery.

Essential reading for Americans

This book illuminates a part of American society that is too infrequently examined or understood by most.

An accurate and well written illumination of MLMs.

The history thru current state of MLMs is fascinating and frightening. A book all should read to be better equipt for the next invitation to "an incredible opportunity".

Helpful

Just getting out of an MLM myself, this was very helpful and insightful. I enjoyed learning about the beginnings of MLM and how politicians have played a role in furthering this deceptive practice. I can only hope that Mr. Fitzpatrick is right, that MLM is getting closer to crumbling.

Really Good Insight

As a former MLM salesperson, with limited success in a number of different companies, this book was an interesting glimpse behind the looking glass of the individuals and organizations who continue to perpetuate this scam on people hoping to get their hands on the American or at least (for non-Americans) the capitalist dream. I highly recommend this to anyone curious about the puppet masters who proliferate the market enticing the young, the struggling, and predominantly female individuals trying to make it and failing from one MLM to the next in search of success that is elusive if not all together impossible.

Great book from a great author/researcher

I don’t usually writes reviews, but this book’s message is sorely needed right now. Anyone interested in knowing about Commercial cults should read/ listen to this book. Great job Mr. Fitzpatrick, great job.

A really good and informative book.

The book delivers on the numbers and history of MLM's. If a person is thinking of joining an MLM they need to read this book first.

Fantastic listen!

If you are even a little interested in MLM's, listen to this book. I like the audio version better than the paperback and his voice is very soothing. The information is jam packed and detailed! Highly recommend!

interesting and fun listen

Well researched and interesting look at MLM. More expansinve than the history laid out in The Dream podcast a few years ago but similar in nature/material covered and still an under covered topic to me. Author does well reading his own book, his voice is entertaining and I had no issues with it despite usually not enjoying when authors take on narration.

"Glorified Pyramid Schemes"

This book, so far, has the best book for a general knowledge about multi-level marketing or as I like to call them "Glorified Pyramid Schemes". Recently I had someone close to me being involved with Amway. Luckily I was able to get them out. I have encountered Amway previously on three separate occasions. But didn't know the seriousness of Amway or other MLMs. This book has helped my understanding of the history, the tactics, and thought process of MLMs.