Julien C. (jaimelesmaths) reviewed Bait and Switch: The 'Futile' Pursuit of the American Dream on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
I was a big fan of "Nickel and Dimed", so I was looking forward to reading this book as well. I love Ehrenreich's writing style and found the story fascinating. However, I felt unfulfilled by the conclusion. I felt that she did not budget a reasonable amount of time for the project, and, thus, gave up too quickly. I was hoping that she would either find a job in the end, or, alternatively, take the "job" she was offered and continue her search to give a more typical account of a job search. The book wasn't bad by any means, but I don't have a desire to read it again, as I did for "Nickel and Dimed."
Tim V. (dadto3) reviewed Bait and Switch: The 'Futile' Pursuit of the American Dream on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
The author gives a grim view of what is like to be educated but unemployed. She makes some interesting points but does not really offer any solutions. This book inspired me (along with some other things) to start my own business!
Jeffrey S. reviewed Bait and Switch: The 'Futile' Pursuit of the American Dream on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
An amusing look into just how hard it is to get a job if you're one of the middle class and are suddenly laid off. But didn't provide the kind of in-depth socieconomic analysis I was expecting that both the title, the jacket, and the author's reputation (or so I thought) would bring
Carl G. (albooks) reviewed Bait and Switch: The 'Futile' Pursuit of the American Dream on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
An excellent book that covers the plight of (through no fault of their own)unemployed and under-employed white-collar middle class victims of U. S. corporate greed and callous out-sourcing/off-shoring.
"By eliminating other peoples jobs, top management can raise its' own income."
This greed has been illustrated over and over during the past ten years with examples like the Andreas' family at ADM, Lay and Skilling at Enron, and Ebbers at WorldCom.
Ehrenreich provides an excellent summation in the last chapter (Conclusion) of the book.
"By eliminating other peoples jobs, top management can raise its' own income."
This greed has been illustrated over and over during the past ten years with examples like the Andreas' family at ADM, Lay and Skilling at Enron, and Ebbers at WorldCom.
Ehrenreich provides an excellent summation in the last chapter (Conclusion) of the book.
Michele (luluinphilly) -
Helpful Score: 4
I love Barbara Ehrenreich. This time she gets to the bottom of how the middle-class and "jobs for life" are a thing of the past. And, if you do have a job, it doesn't matter. Age discrimination firing can get you! And unions? They're not much help either. They take your money but they're not much support except to suggest you proceed with a lawsuit! It's scary out here in the world!
