The War on Normal People

By: Andrew Yang

Narrated by: Andrew Yang

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

From entrepreneur Andrew Yang, the founder of Venture for America, an eye-opening look at how new technologies are erasing millions of jobs before our eyes - and a rallying cry for the urgent steps America must take, including Universal Basic Income, to stabilize our economy.

The shift toward automation is about to create a tsunami of unemployment. Not in the distant future - now. One recent estimate predicts 13 million American workers will lose their jobs within the next seven years - jobs that won't be replaced. In a future marked by restlessness and chronic unemployment, what will happen to American society?

In The War on Normal People, Andrew Yang paints a dire portrait of the American economy. Rapidly advancing technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation software are making millions of Americans' livelihoods irrelevant. The consequences of these trends are already being felt across our communities in the form of political unrest, drug use, and other social ills. The future looks dire - but is it unavoidable?

In The War on Normal People, Yang imagines a different future - one in which having a job is distinct from the capacity to prosper and seek fulfillment. At this vision's core is Universal Basic Income, the concept of providing all citizens with a guaranteed income - and one that is rapidly gaining popularity among forward-thinking politicians and economists. Yang proposes that UBI is an essential step toward a new, more durable kind of economy, one he calls "human capitalism."

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2018 Andrew Yang (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"In this powerful book, Andrew Yang highlights the urgent need to rewrite America's social contract. In a call to arms that comes from both head and heart, Yang has made an important contribution to the debate about where America is headed and what we need to do about it." (Alec Ross, New York Times best-selling author of The Industries of the Future)

"This book is a must read. Andrew Yang is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing our country the way only an entrepreneur can, but unlike most, he sees the big picture. Making money is good for you - but building a strong society and strong people is good for all of us. The topics Andrew addresses in this book aren't about some dystopian future way down the road. These things are happening today, and every entrepreneur should read this book to understand the challenges of the next decade." (Daymond John, star of ABC's Shark Tank, best-selling author of The Power of Broke, and founder of FUBU)

"Andrew Yang is one of those rare visionaries who puts dreams into action. The War on Normal People is both a clear-eyed look at the depths of our social and economic problems and an innovative roadmap toward a better future." (Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global)

"A sobering portrait of a crumbling polity...[and] a provocative work of social criticism." (Kirkus Reviews)

Gave me hope!

The ideas expressed in this book are clear, well thought out and compelling. As a person who is disillusioned with the government and systems in our society this book gives me hope that there are people truly thinking about solutions and ways to implement them. thank you Andrew Yang for such a comprehensive resource, I for one will be thinking about these things and spreading them through conversation!

Chilling

This book is amazing, it's terrifying and raises some very good points. I just wish there was a more clear path to action for individual people to take. I believe the author has some good ideas and I believe that they CAN be instituted and that they would work but I don't feel like there are many clear ways for people to get involved in working to implement the changes outlined in the book.

Must read! This person is running for President

If you care at all about the future. If you don't know about the coming wave of AI and automation. If you have a blue collar job, a white collar job, or just a job. If you have no job. Read this book.

Interesting Viewpoint

I gave this title 5 stars because it is well-researched and well-written. I also appreciated hearing the author narrating it. On the other hand, Mr. Yang doesn't present both sides of the UBI discussion. The only people he quotes are liberals/progressives. (I appreciated his mother's quote!) UBI is unmitigated socialism and we cannot afford to pay for it. Needless to say, I won't be voting for him in 2020.

Brilliant, pragmatic, inspiring, it's the future

I heard Andrew on a podcast and then saw him speak and then listen to his book. the book completely stands alone as a brilliant work. His level of honesty about the world, people, money, work and about government is refreshing.

Must Read to Understand Current Automation Track

When it comes to automation, the current state of affairs when is nauseating. Andrew not only presents the bleak picture in an easy to understand and thoughtful manner, but he also presents well-intentioned and feasible solutions that politicians could implement. If only they listened.

Definitely worth the listen! Whole new world!

Andrew Yang covers some very important topics and offers some good solutions on how we as a society can come together and solve these problems and current short falls.
Collectively, we can all do better and lift each other up vs looking to point fingers or tear each other down. It would be refreshing to have someone like him. good with numbers, a genuine caring heart, strong mind, with a true passion to do what is right and good for ourselves and our children and the future world.
Very nice to know people like him exist to make people THINK HARDER, Work Smarter, and do better by our fellow wo/man and not just for personal gain.
Cheers to him and I hope we can get more people to see his vision too so we can help bring all this to life!

Reasons,Causes,& a Solution for today's poverty crisis!!!!

A good explanation of how industrialism & automation have helped and harmed human progress. Andrew Yang gives an excellent explanation of Universal basic Income(U.B.I.) and how it may be a solution to the
growing problems of poverty & unemployment caused by automation, A.I., & robotics.

Smart fascinating

a clear view of now and the future, as an over the road truck driver I see this every day in rural America.

Compelling and inspiring read!

Andrew Yang clearly outlines the dangers of automation and want we can do about it.