Selling the Dream

The Billion-Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans

De: Jane Marie

Narrado por: Jane Marie

Duración: 6 h y 14 m

Resumen del Editor

A Next Big Idea Club Must-Read for March 2024 * A Bustle Best New Book of Spring 2024

Peabody and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jane Marie expands on her popular podcast The Dream to expose the scourge of multilevel marketing schemes and how they have profited off the evisceration of the American working class.

We’ve all heard of Amway, Mary Kay, Tupperware, and LuLaRoe, but few know the nefarious way they and countless other multilevel marketing (MLM) companies prey on desperate Americans struggling to make ends meet.

When factories close, stalwart industries shutter, and blue-collar opportunities evaporate, MLMs are there, ready to pounce on the crumbling American Dream. MLMs thrive in rural areas and on military bases, targeting women with promises of being their own boss and millions of dollars in easy income—even at the risk of their entire life savings. But the vast majority—99.7%—of those who join an MLM make no money or lose money, and wind up stuck with inventory they can’t sell to recoup their losses.

Featuring in-depth reporting and intimate research, Selling the Dream reveals how these companies—often owned by political and corporate elites, such as the Devos and the Van Andels families—have made a windfall in profit off of the desperation of the American working class.

©2024 Jane Marie (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“What a strange and insidious world Jane has chosen to explore and share with us, one that is hiding around every corner of American life.” (Susan Orlean, New York Times bestselling author of The Library Book)

“So, my former intern wrote a book. You're looking at it. I knew nothing about this world and loved learning about it from Jane.” (Ira Glass, host and producer of This American Life)

“Charting the dark underbelly of multilevel marketing isn’t for the faint of heart, but in Jane’s capable hands we’re along for a wild ride. In Selling the Dream her big heart and clear-eyed reporting are on full display.” (W. Kamau Bell, author of The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell)

Just a small town girl from Michigan warning us all!

Yet another reminder that capitalism is straight up psychopathic. I saw her interview on the Daily Show and I love this woman. I also recommend to download and listen to her podcasts!

Historical perspective.

Well-researched and objective look at this industry. It’s infuriating, but I see why people are victimized by these companies.

Perfect book. Perfect podcast…

Riveting, entertaining, and oh so true. It’s always a delight to come across Jane Marie’s research findings, literal voice, and perspectives.

Incredible listen

Love the podcast, love the book, binged in 2 days no regrets! Hopefully she will keep writing, would love to be taught about every messy topic by Jane Marie.

Enjoyable

I had already listened to, and very much enjoyed, Jane Marie’s podcast on the same subject so I knew I had to get this book. It was equally interesting and amusing in parts as she’s a great narrator with a good turn of phrase and perfect comic timing.

The book did lag a bit during the telling of some historic detail, but it wasn’t padding, just stuff that had to be told.

Overall, good book! I recommend it :)

Listened in one day

Jane Marie did such a great job writing and reading this book. Similar to her podcast, but so much more in-depth. Wish she had written this 20 years ago when I got sucked into more than one of these schemes. 😆