Break 'Em Up

Recovering Our Freedom from Big Ag, Big Tech, and Big Money

By: Zephyr Teachout, Bernie Sanders - foreword

Narrated by: Matt Godfrey, Zephyr Teachout

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

"[We need] a grassroots, bottom-up movement that understands the challenge in front of us, and then organizes against monopoly power in communities across this country. This book is a blueprint for that organizing...you will learn how monopolies and oligopolies have taken over almost every aspect of American life, and you will also learn about what can be done to stop that trend before it is too late." (From the foreword by Bernie Sanders) 

A passionate attack on the monopolies that are throttling American democracy.

Every facet of American life is being overtaken by big platform monopolists like Facebook, Google, and Bayer (which has merged with the former agricultural giant Monsanto), resulting in a greater concentration of wealth and power than we've seen since the Gilded Age. They are evolving into political entities that often have more influence than the actual government, bending state and federal legislatures to their will and even creating arbitration courts that circumvent the US justice system. How can we recover our freedom from these giants? Anti-corruption scholar and activist Zephyr Teachout has the answer: Break 'Em Up.

This audiobook is a clarion call for liberals and leftists looking to find a common cause. Teachout makes a compelling case that monopolies are the root cause of many of the issues that today's progressives care about; they drive economic inequality, harm the planet, limit the political power of average citizens, and historically disenfranchised groups bear the brunt of their shameful and irresponsible business practices. In order to build a better future, we must eradicate monopolies from the private sector and create new safeguards that prevent new ones from seizing power.

Through her expert analysis of monopolies in several sectors and their impact on courts, journalism, inequality, and politics, Teachout offers a concrete path toward thwarting these enemies of working Americans and reclaiming our democracy before it’s too late. 

A Macmillan Audio production from All Points Books

©2020 Zephyr Teachout (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

“Teachout delivers a forceful, clearly articulated vision of ‘moral markets’ built on freedom, choice, and human dignity. Progressives will heed this clarion call for reform.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)  

“A graceful, witty, terrifying book - essential to understanding how monopoly threatens American democracy. Teachout was one of the first to grasp the magnitude of the crisis of concentrated private power in America, and she now drives the debate forward again. Break 'Em Up will challenge all easy assumptions about how to fix our nation, in ways that will arm you for the fight ahead.” (Barry C. Lynn, author of Liberty from All Masters) 

“Break ‘Em Up is a shocking guide book to these corporate Dark Ages, these frightening times when private power seems to grow ever more centralized and the ordinary world we live in feels like it is dissolving. Thankfully, it is also a road map to the exit. Read it and let’s get ourselves out of this awful place.” (Thomas Frank, author of Listen, Liberal) 

Needed Insight

This book grows the political imagination for justice. You’re not born with one, talent notwithstanding. It has to be learned, and this is a fine tools to seek justice and escape the modern matrix of corporate control.

It’ll piss you off

This book explains that sneaking suspicion we’ve all had; we’re getting screwed. Let’s do something about that.

Spectacular!

Finally I know how the country and the economy works. Teachout is clearly brilliant and explains the human cost of monopolization eloquently and simply. There’s a lot packed in so I listened to it twice and will surely revisit.

Excellent book!

Couldn't put it down. A must read if you care about democracy. Let's start the revolution!

Amazingly researched and written!

This is a must read/listen to for anyone interested in democracy, liberty, and economy. Speaking truth to power may be an overused phrase of late, but I can think of no better summary for this work. As a scientist I have always wondered what was "wrong" with the US. I had long sense abandoned the idea that this was "the greatest country on earth" but the analytical part of me had yet to read a thesis on how it got this bad. Very eye opening and enlightened, Prof. Teachout has finally given me the data set to consider. Thank you for having the courage to put this thesis to print. If more people understood the failing of our current system I have no doubt that this will finally be a turning point. Dare to dream...

A fantastic book that everyone should read.

This book is a masterpiece of thoughtful research that everyone should read. Our economy and our democracy is at risk as industry consolidation is widespread. Consolidation not only causes inequality, it also reduces innovation because markets are less competitive. We need anitrust enforcement now and new laws passed reducing the use of arbitration.

All you need to know!

Read passionately by the author, a one-stop shop for all you need to know about U.S. anti-trust history, concentration in modern industries, necessary steps to free citizens from consumerism, and philosophy of markets. Absolutely fantastic. Hopefully, a handbook for legislative change.

Zephyr shines a light on monopolies/oligopolies!

I was completely taken by Zephyr's explanation and consise inner workings by these powerful oligopolies who will stop at nothing but absolute control over the average American. This is a must read (or listen) because everything she talks about has fully taken over our economy and must be debated so we can have a functioning democracy that actually works for the majority, NOT only the uber wealthy few. Outstanding work, Zephyr!

Progressive path

I really enjoyed this book it feels like a path to a Progressive future. when Bernie Sanders conceded I knew there would be work to do and this is one of the things that help put things into perspective.

The right path forward

This book is ssential knowledge for every millennial and Gen Z person. An in depth look at how monopolies rig the game and disenfranchise the less powerful