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Why is it that Americans, who by most objective standards have never had it so good, (longer lives, easier jobs, more money, more personal fulfillment, less discrimination) think the nation is going to hell in a handbasket? Wealthier and freer than ever before, Americans focus on crime, family breakdown, and the depressed economy. Newsweek and Washington Post writer Robert J. Samuelson looks at history, sociology, the media, and political promises as he studies this strange paradox. Americans, he theorizes, became overconfident following World War victories and strong economic growth periods. An "Age of Entitlement" developed in which Americans believe the government, big business, the world, owes them...jobs, money, health care, security. A fascinating analysis of the modern American psyche, The Good Life and Its Discontents offers some ideas for change. Read it and decide if the "American Dream" has become the "American Fantasy."
Book Description
A New York Times Business Book Bestseller
"Shrewd and optimistic. . . . [The Good Life and Its Discontents] combines first-rate analysis with persuasive historical, political and sociological insights."
--The New Republic
Today Americans are wealthier, healthier, and live longer than at any previous time in our history. As a society, we have never had it so good. Yet, paradoxically, many of us have never felt so bad. For, as Robert J. Samuelson observes in this visionary book, our country suffers from a national sense of entitlement--a feeling that someone, whether Big Business or Big Government, should guarantee us secure jobs, rising living standards, social harmony, and personal fulfillment.
In The Good Life and Its Discontents, Samuelson, a national columnist for Newsweek and the Washington Post, links our rising expectations with our belief in a post-Cold War vision of an American utopia. Using history, economics, and psychology, he exposes the hubris of economists and corporate managers and indicts a government that promises too much to too many constituencies. Like David Reisman's The Lonely Crowd and John Kenneth Galbraith's The Affluent Society, the result is a book that defines its time--and that is sure to shape the national debate for years to come.
"A smart, balanced epitaph for an era--with a few clues for what's ahead."
--Business Week
"Lucid [and] nonsectarian . . . Samuelson traces how the reasonable demand for progress has given way to the excessive demand for perfection."
--The New York Times
Customer Reviews:
The Resistible Rise of Post-War Expectations.......2007-04-04
On January 11th, 1944 -- about fifteen months before his death -- American president Franklin Roosevelt gave an address to Congress outlining what became known as his "economic bill of rights." Cleverly interwoven into Roosevelt's harangues about more sacrifice for the (still ongoing) war effort was a startling list of new guarantees for the American people that he hoped would avoid future conflicts: the *right* to a job, to decent housing, to adequate health care, extending to protection for businessmen from "unfair competition," and the right of farmers to sell products "at a decent return." Roosevelt outlined his program very clearly and effectively: "The one supreme objective for the future ... can be summed up in one word: security."
I mention the highlights from this underappreciated speech because it serves as a perfect introduction to Robert Samuelson's thesis: that lavish and unrealistic promises from large American institutions (primarily government) have created a public -- not to mention a body politic -- weaned on entitlement. Roosevelt didn't exactly say who was going to provide all this employment, housing, health care and "protection", but I doubt his listeners had many doubts. I'm rather surprised Samuelson doesn't mention Roosevelt's address since the author places huge emphases on the Great Depression and World War II as the defining historical events of his "age of entitlement."
Samuelson begins this (1997) work by trying to address an odd -- and certainly still-relevant -- paradox: pollsters consistently show Americans fairly happy with their *individual* lot but witheringly cynical about the state of the country. How could this be? How did it come about? (Clues above.) And what does it mean for our future politics, culture, and industry?
His argument is as clearly organized as it is novel: a first section explains the issue, the next two delve into the business and political encouragement and fallout of this phenomena and the last suggests approaches and solutions. This sounds simple, but given the vast tangents possible in his thesis Mr. Samuelson must be admired for his focus. I found my only minor complaints with his perspective in the last section, where he triumphs "responsibility" and other rather vague cure-alls for our entitlement hangover. I agree with the general idea, but it appears slightly tacked-on, as if the author was wary of simply defining a great problem without a solution.
A few other points could stand a firmer basis. Samuelson at times certainly has axes to grind: he heads an entire chapter "the myth of management" and proceeds to trot out the usual big business shibboleths (myopia, inertia, bureaucracy, lavish corporate pay) to justify his attack on the very concept of management ("To `manage' is to run something. Beyond that, the word does not mean much."). This glibness is not uncommon. In a section on America's "colliding ideals", Samuelson concludes that the growth of huge companies in the late 19th century "undermined [the] confidence that individuals, with hard work and self-discipline, could control their own destinies. On the contrary, they seemed increasingly at the whim of massive enterprises that they could not influence *as individuals*." (Italics mine.) That aspects of the industrial revolution were de-personalizing is historically well-founded, but to invert the argument to say that individuals were unable to control their very destinies due to the "whim of massive enterprises" is pushing the rhetoric a bit far on a critical point.
Still, Samuelson makes excellent points throughout and -- more importantly -- keeps a laser focus on his overall thesis. His only other major omission is hardly his fault: the events of September 11th 2001. The impact of the terrorist attacks doesn't dilute all his points, but some of them (e.g., balanced budgets, government appointees) grow a little paler through the lens of a global terrorist threat.
Finally: Can you, dear review-reader, honestly answer the question: what do I expect government to do for me? Do you feel *entitled* to anything from your government -- much less "big business" or other large institutions -- based on what you believe they've promised? If you have any hesitation in answering - or are curious about the relevance of these questions in 21st century America - I heartily suggest you read this book.
Good read on U.S. economic history in the 20th century.......2004-12-27
My review is based on the first edition of this book.
I found out about this book when I happened upon an old issue of Newsweek I had kept around, from 1996. Its cover story was an article made up of excerpts from it, and was titled "Great Expectations". I read the article and found Samuelson's analysis just as prescient today as when he wrote it. I wanted to see more of what he had to say, and so I got this book.
I was not disappointed, at least in the analysis department. The book is part economic history, and part sociological/political analysis. He starts with the Great Depression, describing what happened. I'm in my 30s, and I had not heard a detailed history of the Depression in school. Just that the economy was in the dumps for about 10 years, and that tons of people were poor, hungry, and unemployed, and it inspired FDR's New Deal agenda. He fleshes this out some, giving quotes from sources of the time, describing what conditions were like, and how people felt about their predicament and their future. He tries to give a psychological picture of what the Depression did to the people who lived through it. He also provides analysis about what caused the Depression, how the institutions of power groped for a solution to the problem, and that some of what they did worked, and some of it didn't. Interestingly, what he says worked was not necessarily what a lot of people thought fixed the problem.
Then he moves into the post-WW II boom, the world that the Baby Boomer generation grew up in, and the psychological change this caused in people's minds about what was possible. His main thesis is that this period of time, the economic expansion from the end of WW II to the early 1970s, produced an exaggerated, somewhat distorted view of economic expectations. Part of this view was formed by what Samuelson would call mistaken notions of what got us out of the Depression. It was this time period which produced the idea that in the future, each generation would be financially and materially better off than the generation that preceded it. He calls this notion a myth, and proceeds to give his own explanation of why the expansion occurred, why it petered out in the 1970s, and why the notion that each generation would just get richer and richer has not held true. He does not blame government for failing to do its job to "make" things better. In fact he points out that government's attempts to shape the economy were based on flawed policy thinking anyway. He explains that the economy changed over time, more competitors entered the marketplace, and the idea that the entreprenuer was a dying figure in the U.S. economy did not hold true. He gives an alternative view of what has happened: that while incomes and living standards have not rapidly risen for all concerned, products that consumers buy have gotten cheaper, so in effect we've traded our former vision for making things more affordable to more people in the U.S.
He also comments on the politics of the U.S. since WW II. He stresses that while government can do little to shape the economy, public figures, when running for public office, keep saying that they can. He gets into a realm of wishful thinking here. Election after election, the public keeps having this expectation, based on a notion that he contends is not real, that the government can control and shape the economy so that we can have rising wages and higher living standards, and whoever runs for public office keeps pandering to this mistaken view. The problem always occurs that when they get into office, the public realizes that they have not changed the direction of the economy, and so they become disillusioned and angry with the politicians for failing to accomplish something that was never realistic in the first place. He expresses a wish that somehow the public would disabuse themselves of this notion, and the politicians would choose to educate the public, rather than pander to their mistaken notions. It's a nice thought, but it isn't going to happen. Politicians know that it never helps their election chances to tell the public they're wrong.
Where Samuelson falls down is in providing a clear vision about what we as Americans should do, or how we should think, in order to adjust well to the wrenching changes that have shaped the way in which we work and make money. He grasps at some possible things the country could do (policy changes) that would make dealing with this easier, but his suggestions are incoherent. So I give him good marks for analyzing what's happened to us and why, but he comes up short on solutions to the problems that we as workers face. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about understanding our economy, and why our collective notions about it are not necessarily based in reality.
repetitive and long-winded.......2004-05-26
I wanted a book to use in conjunction with Barbara Ehrenreich to examine modern American society from different viewpoints. I opted for this book, and regretted it. The book contains few new ideas, a much-rehashed thesis, and repetive and circular arguing. The students in my high school, senior level economics class found these flaws without any prompting from me. If repetitive ideas, long-winded prose and turgid structure are you idea of a good read, then this is the book for you.
A Not Very Subtle Conservative Manifesto!.......2002-04-07
If you are a conservative, you will enjoy this book. Samuelson truly believes in the system!
If Samuelson spoke with Chomsky:
Samuelson: I'm sick of hearing that there are ghettos; I'm tired of listening to people whine about how Washington is a function of corporate interests; stop crying about how the government has systematically squashed the interests of Labor. Things are not perfect and people should stop demanding a free lunch.
Chomsky: What about health care? Do you realize we are the richest Country in the World, yet we are one of the only progessive "Democratic" states that doesn't provide some basic level of care to all citizens.
Samuelson: If poor people want health care, than they should get jobs dammit! They are not entitled to a free lunch. No free lunch! No free lunch!...
Chomsky: Isn't it true that you support a system that created NAFTA, which basically raises domestic unemployemnt, lowers wages and, yes, destroyes the very jobs you are telling poor people to get?
Samuelson: I said the system works, it's not perfect. No free lunch! No free lunch!
Chomsky: The system is filled with structural injustice: it fixes the betting in favor of corporations and against working Americans . . . and the best you can say is that it's not perfect. By the way, do you own stock in companies that routinely fire hard working Americans in order to raise profit and boost your portfolio.
Samuelson: Um, well, um. You see, well. The system works dammit! No free lunch! No free lunch!
A colorful analysis of American society.......1999-12-01
This was one of the most intelligent, original, and colorful books that I have read this year. Most of the author's points are right on the mark. The great mystery of our time for political analysts is the large gap between peoples' evident satisfaction with their own life and their overwhelming disappointment with public life. Mr. Samuelson not only is perceptive enough to point out this overlooked paradox but diagnoses it well. This will be certainly a bold challenge for the next generation of public leaders.
Average customer rating:
- animals, vegetables and minerals a to z
- Sallie did herself proud.
- A chuckle in every line
- My little brother loved it.
- ANIMALS, VEGETABLES AND MINERALS
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Animals, Vegetables and Minerals from A to Z
Sallie O'Donnell
Manufacturer: Legacy Publishing Services
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ASIN: 0976498251
Release Date: 2005-10-01 |
Product Description
Animals, Vegetables And Minerals - From A To Z links an animal and a nutritional concept in the form of a four line verse to each letter of the alphabet. The humorous alliterative verses enhanced by the colorful witty illustrations make learning about a healthy life style fun for kids and delightful for parents to read to them. In view of the national concern about childhood obesity this book is not only educational but particularly timely.
Customer Reviews:
animals, vegetables and minerals a to z.......2005-12-21
I liked the animals and what they did. my daddy read me the story and it was fun. I specially liked the long dog he looks like my dog he doesn't wear hats
Sallie did herself proud........2005-11-15
This little book is a delightful Ogden Nash - Aesop romp through our alphabet; the children will love the wonderful illustrations. Well done - just in time for Christmas.
Tom Scott, M.D. Orlando, Florida.
A chuckle in every line.......2005-11-03
Sallie O'Donnell's delightful book deserves a worldwide audience. Chuckles will echo from continent to continent as adults and children savour the amusing rhymes - then slowly absorb the good advice contained in them. Sallie is a standard-bearer in the fight against the 21st Century's greatest scourge: obesity.
Peter Hinchliffe, Yorkshire, England.
My little brother loved it........2005-11-02
I read all sorts of books to my brother. Grandma bought this one for him. He loves the colors and the poetry and always brings it to me so that I can read it to him. He's only 19 months old. Casey Hoffman
ANIMALS, VEGETABLES AND MINERALS.......2005-11-01
THIS IS THE BOOK I WAS LOOKING FOR. A EASY AND ENJOYABLE WAY TO INTRODUCE MY CHILDREN TO FOOD AND WHAT FOOD REALLY IS. THE KIDS TOOK IT ALL IN WITH A REAL POSITIVE ATTITUDE. BELIEVE ME THIS HAS MADE CHRISTMAS GIFTS EASY. ALL MY BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S KIDS ARE GOING TO GET THIS. MS. O'DONNELL HAS A RARE GIFT AND I HOPE SHE TURNS OUT MANY MORE SIMILAR BOOKS.
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Vitamins in Animal and Human Nutrition
Lee Russell McDowell
Manufacturer: Iowa State Press
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Minerals in Animal and Human Nutrition
ASIN: 0813826306 |
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Vitamins in Animal Nutrition: Comparative Aspects to Human Nutrition (Animal Feeding and Nutrition)
Lee Russell McDowell
Manufacturer: Academic Press
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ASIN: 0124833721 |
Book Description
Vitamins in Animal Nutrition presents concise, up-to-date information on vitamin nutrition for livestock and poultry; comparisons with vitamin use in human nutrition are also presented. This book describes the basic chemical, metabolic, and functional role of vitamins and vitamin supplementation. A wealth of photographs illustrate the nutritional aspects of vitamin deficiencies and excesses in livestock, along with their concomitant conditions.
This authoritative reference is of interest to professionals in animal nutrition and the livestock industry and is suitable as a graduate-level text on vitamin nutrition in animals.
Key Features
* First book of its kind
* Offers practical and broad coverage of nutrition as it relates to farm livestock, humans, and laboratory animals
* Clinically identifies and outlines the effects of vitamin excesses and deficiencies in animals and humans
* Emphasizes vitamin supplementation, and vitamin metabolism and function
* Illustrated with numerous photographs
Book Description
Known for its currency and clear writing style, this book provides a comprehensive and systematic introduction to elementary forms of learning that have been the focus of research for much of the twentieth century. The book covers habituation, classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, stimulus control, aversive control, and their applications to the study of cognition and to the alleviation of behavior problems. Biological constraints on learning are integrated throughout the text, as are applications boxes that relate animal research to human learning and behavior. The book closely reflects the field of research it represents in terms of topics covered, theories discussed, and experimental paradigms described.
Customer Reviews:
Hard- but good.......2007-10-03
This is a book about learning. Psychology is not an easy subject, but the author does a good job. The concepts are a little hard to grasp but the author does a great job with a difficult subject.
........2007-04-05
When I bought this product in no way did the description say that the textbook was not part of the purchase. I assumed I was buying the textbook as it was advertised with the cover of the textbook as it's picture.
Very unhappy.
Excellent coverage of basic learning theory.......2006-10-05
Let me start by saying I have used this text as required reading for several classes in Theories of Learning. I feel it is an excellent presentation of the basic concepts and groundwork needed to understand more complex theories and/or higher forms of learning. The physiological tie-ins are not central to the book, and if skipped it would not be detrimental to a complete understanding of the learning theory. My understanding is that this is the reason they are presented in boxed sidebars and not incorporated into the body of the text.
Admittedly the reading can be dense, and difficult to get through, but I feel this is because the subject matter is dense and complicated. One thing I have found with basic learning theory is that it is much like formal logic, with a cursory examination, many people feel it is straightforward and simple. But once one begins to deal with the `meat' of the subject, and attempts to understand the implications, exceptions, strengths and weaknesses of the topic, then the feeling of simplicity quickly disappears. It is at this point that one will find people either love the topic and want to know more, or they are put off and either blame their dislike for the topic on the presentation or the material itself. In case it is not obvious, I am one of the former types, and continue to enjoy the broader implications of learning theory, the rigor of the arguments involved and the breadth of explanatory power I see in this filed.
This leads me to one final point. I feel the author does an excellent job of relating the basic principals he discusses to real life examples. In particular the chapter on language provides an excellent source for class discussion, informed debate and application of the theoretical mechanisms presented in the first half of the book.
not too great.......2006-04-26
This book was not written in the clearest fashion. He could have done a much better job and given more examples to make the concepts more concrete.
Not for non-psychology majors.......2004-12-06
This book is only for those who already have a strong background in biology and psychology. However, if you are new to the subject, then this book is not for you. Students who are taking this subject as an elective will have a hard time with the research style presentation of topics. I'd much rather buy a book that explains topics as clear and concise as possible rather than have a play on words.
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