The Wal-Mart Effect

I'd read the article Fishman wrote in Wired a couple years back, so I was interested to learn more. The book was a nice, balanced look into what makes Wal-Mart tick, and some of the repercussions of their single minded drive to lower prices. While I was interested in the subject, I'm more of a fiction book reader, so I wasn't sure if I'd stick with a long non fiction book on business. Surprisingly, it went by fairly quickly, kept my interest the whole time.
If you're a Wal-Mart hater, you'll find ammunition in there, especially with regards to cheap salmon and gallon jars of Vlasic pickles. If you're a hard core capitalist, you'll appreaciate the fact that shopping at Wal-Mart saves many, many families a good deal of money due to their focus on lowered prices.

By chance, I listened to this soon after after re-reading "Atlas Shrugged". It made for some interesting mental comparisons.

Since I work at Walmart I have found this book so interesting. I am only half way though it and am captured by all the ways in which Walmart started. I also know the day to day routine of Walmart so I am hoping the last half of the book will detail my daily life. As with all jobs it's a 50/50 kind of place to work, I am thankful they hired me since I am an older person but find they are all talk and no action. I hope more will listen to this book and learn from it. I have also purchased the book for my hearing impaired friends to read....

This is a good history of Wal-Mart from the early days in Arkansas as a down-market discount store, through its rise. Even in the late 80s, retail analysts predicted continued dominance by Sears and K-Mart. Now as #1, its the winner everyone loves to hate.

I agree with other reviews here that the later chapters show a lot of anti-Wal-Mart bias. But the book is a good history, that describes how Wal-Mart works, its effects on suppliers, and covers criticism right up to the recent "poverty effect" papers of 2005.

This was a very good book. Entertaining and informative... though a little repetitive at times. Never boring, a few too many percentages and numbers to keep in mind... but overall gives a great perspective into how Wal-Mart is effecting the world.... hence the title.

Changed my view on Wal-Mart. Now I still believe WalMart is somewhat evil, but at the same time is only a product of capitalism. WalMart isn't all bad, and has most likely been a benefit to an American's quality of life.
It was not an extremely biased view of walmart, either positive or negative, the author merely did his best to explain how walmart does business based on some very specific examples.
This book confirmed for me that there are items that are OK to buy at walmart and others that are not.

Intriguing and thought-provoking. Regardless of how one feels about this massive retailer, its place in the global business community and its effect on our culture are undeniable. Whether a driving force on culture or merely a reflection of sociological change, the book provides significant food for thought and conversation. Well worth the time.

We are currently facing a Wal-Mart Super Center invasion in our town. At first, I thought it would be nice to have a Wal-Mart near by--nearer than the three other Wal-Marts which are each 20 minutes away. But after listening to this book, I changed my mind.

Even if you're not a mathematician, the author presents the data in perfectly, logical and understandable ways. The real-world examples of how company's benefit ("Makin' Bacon") and suffer (Huffy bicycles) because of Wal-Mart is eye-opening.

Both the examples and numbers are staggering! And they're non-stop! The comprehensive facts and figures in this book will leave you with your jaw on the floor. For instance, Wal-Mart sells more goods by St. Patrick's Day than Target, its nearest competitor, will sell all year!

Like a previous reviewer states, this book is a very balanced presentation. However, what seemed obvious to me is that the good that Wal-Mart apparently does, eventually leads to bad things. The way Wal-Mart permeates everything in the world...no that's not an overstatement...it makes Ma Bell pale in comparison. Why Wal-Mart isn't investigated as a monopoly is beyond me...just my opinion.

I cannot praise Charles Fishman enough. Listening to this book took more than 9 hours...it felt like 9 minutes. Everyone should get a copy of the "Wal-Mart Effect", whether you shop at Wal-Mart or not. Think of this book as the cheapest class you can take to become a truly informed consumer. Learn all about how the retail industry operates...or rather how Wal-Mart forces the retail industry to operate.

Long and short of it is, for or against Wal-Mart, if you listen to this book, you will NEVER look at Wal-Mart the same way again.

Interesting overview within the first hour (9 CDs... yipes (9 hours)). I had to do a lot of ffwd after that, as it was very repetitive information. If you are a fan of Wal-Mart or Sam Walton then this book is for you. If you want some interesting insight on what effect the largest company in the world has and could have then "read" the first hour or so. Beyond that it is wayyyy too detailed on store numbers, managers and a dogmatic work ethic.

A very light and superficial approach to the "Wal-Mart phenomenon". Gets into some of the history and mindset of this company, but avoids tough topics such as unfair competition, the encouragement of "economic cheaters" such as China (a country which cheats on environmental pollution, social obligations, intellectual property, etc.), and the addiction of American shoppers to "conspicuous consumption". A good introduction to Wal-Mart, but very light. Also, the sycophantic demeanor of the author does get boring after a while.

Lots of anecdotal information, some hard data but above all inconclusive. In depth economic analysis would have been nice and is lacking in the book.