Winners Take All

The Elite Charade of Changing the World

By: Anand Giridharadas

Narrated by: Anand Giridharadas

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times bestselling, groundbreaking investigation of how the global elite's efforts to "change the world" preserve the status quo and obscure their role in causing the problems they later seek to solve. An essential read for understanding some of the egregious abuses of power that dominate today’s news.

Former New York Times columnist Anand Giridharadas takes us into the inner sanctums of a new gilded age, where the rich and powerful fight for equality and justice any way they can--except ways that threaten the social order and their position atop it. We see how they rebrand themselves as saviors of the poor; how they lavishly reward "thought leaders" who redefine "change" in winner-friendly ways; and how they constantly seek to do more good, but never less harm. We hear the limousine confessions of a celebrated foundation boss; witness an American president hem and haw about his plutocratic benefactors; and attend a cruise-ship conference where entrepreneurs celebrate their own self-interested magnanimity.

Giridharadas asks hard questions: Why, for example, should our gravest problems be solved by the unelected upper crust instead of the public institutions it erodes by lobbying and dodging taxes? He also points toward an answer: Rather than rely on scraps from the winners, we must take on the grueling democratic work of building more robust, egalitarian institutions and truly changing the world. A call to action for elites and everyday citizens alike.

©2018 Anand Giridharadas (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A New York Times bestseller

Named one of The New York Times "100 Notable Books of 2018"

Named one of NPR's "Best Books of 2018"

Named one of the Financial Times "Books of the Year"

Named one of The Washington Post's "50 Notable Works of Nonfiction"

One of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “Best International Nonfiction” books of 2018

One of the GreenBiz “10 Best Climate and Business Books of 2018”

800-CEO-READ Business Book of the Year

“Entertaining and gripping . . . For those at the helm, the philanthropic plutocrats and aspiring 'change agents' who believe they are helping but are actually making things worse, it’s time for a reckoning with their role in this spiraling dilemma. I suggest they might want to read a copy of this book while in the Hamptons this summer.” —Joseph E. Stiglitz, The New York Times Book Review

"Truly, a fascinating book that exposes the world we live in today."—Trevor Noah

an important read

This book is so good. It is extremely well-written, and conveys a pressing message we all need to grasp.

excellent

Impressive investigation and bravery by Anand Giridharadas in writing this important book. He's a bit sarcastic in his style of writing and reading but how can I blame him when he demonstrates so convincingly how we have all fallen from the charade of the global elites and how capitalism and globalism is failing all but the top 0.1% or so. We are living in a world that most of us are starting to believe in our gut is no longer fair and democratic and which is rigged in favor of the very rich, by the very rich. Anand Giridharadas adds to this most important discussion of our time by calling out the likes of President Bill Clinton and how leaders like President Clinton are contributing to the worsening of the problem despite society's belief that he is "a democrat" or "a philanthropist" and thus somehow cares about those outside of the billionaire class. I agree with author that it is not these global elite or philanthropists who can solve our problems, but only true income redistribution through democratic political systems, enabling all citizens of the world (and not just the billionaire class) to have a say in how much of the world's capital is spent. Great book, thank you!

Sharp, decisive, necessary.

loved it. I thank the author for his work. The call to action for self reflection and the changing of course is timely and creatively given.

listen carefully

I think that this book should be read by everyone and that you should think deeply about what it is trying to tell you. You will walk away with a better understanding of the world and you place in it.

The book I wish I had written.

This is a must-read book for everyone who thinks success in business makes one an expert in solving any and all world problems and by those who know better than to believe this assumption. It is especially important that those in not-for-profit and philanthropy sectors read this book. It is a message many have shared for many years without much uptake. Perhaps since Winners Take All, like Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva, is written by an insider, philanthropy organizations and philanthropists will take note and change their guiding principles and practices. Vernon Moore

Ouch

This book is incredible, most especially how it hems you in, preventing you from justifying bad behavior you've maybe gone along with. I found myself getting angry, and wanting to fight the words, and then absorbing them and aknowledging that they had a point. I was grateful that the book did not just point out problems, but occasionally provided glimpses of solutions. I'll definitely be re-listening whenever I find myself tempted to let inertia take me.

Must Read if in Social Sector

Critical for anyone working in social impact via CSR, social sector consulting, or philanthropy. Sometimes a tad strident/uncompromising, but always insightful.

Plutes in the wild

It’s easy to resent the Plutes but this book challenges everything about the way we insulate ourselves from the truth of our ignorance, and our arrogance. It’s painful to have the mask ripped off but there is immense relief in acknowledging how we abandon each other. From that low ground we can begin again to appreciate how little we know about real democracy and how we might begin again.

Just...wow

This book has blown my mind as a student entering the job market it’s reshaped the work that I want to do and how I want to do it. This is a must read for everyone! We have to pursue real change in the world and stop praising billionaire’s for donating pennies while they suck the life out of their industries. I’m so glad I read this book!

I loved this…but….

Is there an accounting for the rebuttals of the people he discusses? It would make a rich & deeper conversation. Susan Fink