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literatetexan's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating book. From the perspective of an entrepreneur, I'm dazzled by Wal-mart's efficiencies. From the perspective of a citizen, I'm scare of Wal-mart's potentially negative effects on the "general welfare".
canadianoranges's review against another edition
3.0
Starts interesting enough, but gets into the minutiae of factory processes and contracts that can feel tedious.
btcarolus's review against another edition
4.0
Well-balanced look at the effect of Wal-Mart on the national and global economies, as well as its societal and cultural effects. Could have been improved by adding some analysis of online-retail, especially Amazon.com.
treehuggeranonymous's review against another edition
2.0
The problem with this book is that there isn't enough information to make a clear picture of Wal-mart. It doesn't really clarify a position on Wal-Mart or make any forceful arguments, being careful not to offend or go outside the evidence.
catmar19's review against another edition
3.0
I got this book on sale at Amazon.com. It looked interesting.
It's well written. The author knows just how to sprinkle in the anecdotal tidbits between the facts and studies. The beginning of the book gave the impression that the author was doing his best to be objective and not take sides on the matter, but as I read, I saw that the book definitely took a slant. None of that bothered me beyond the idea that the book wouldn't do something and it did it anyway. Maybe that's the mom in me taking offense.
Overall, I feel like it shed some light on something people tend to believe anyway. And it had me wondering about the years since the book was published. What's happened since? Did Wal-Mart meet it's 2010 goal? It may be something worth looking into.
It's well written. The author knows just how to sprinkle in the anecdotal tidbits between the facts and studies. The beginning of the book gave the impression that the author was doing his best to be objective and not take sides on the matter, but as I read, I saw that the book definitely took a slant. None of that bothered me beyond the idea that the book wouldn't do something and it did it anyway. Maybe that's the mom in me taking offense.
Overall, I feel like it shed some light on something people tend to believe anyway. And it had me wondering about the years since the book was published. What's happened since? Did Wal-Mart meet it's 2010 goal? It may be something worth looking into.
martathenarc's review against another edition
1.0
Just to be clear. I'm on page 9.
Until this point, the word "Wal-Mart" was been written 108 times.
It's quite impossible to read this when this word it's plastered throughout the text constantly.
This is so painful to read. I don't think I will even try to move on.
The subject's interesting but I can't get past this constant repetition of the word. I can't even focus on what he is saying because the only thing I can retain is "Wal-Mart this. Wal-Mart that. Wal-Mart...Wal-Mart.."
Until this point, the word "Wal-Mart" was been written 108 times.
It's quite impossible to read this when this word it's plastered throughout the text constantly.
This is so painful to read. I don't think I will even try to move on.
The subject's interesting but I can't get past this constant repetition of the word. I can't even focus on what he is saying because the only thing I can retain is "Wal-Mart this. Wal-Mart that. Wal-Mart...Wal-Mart.."
ejdecoster's review against another edition
4.0
Evenhanded, informative, and clear even when describing complex economic relationships - Fishman does an excellent job of examining Wal-Mart from a number of angles and gives the reader space to draw their own conclusion(s). Obviously some of the information is dated, now, but other than the lack of discussion of ecommerce (aka, online shopping), the basics of his analysis still seem solid. I don't know that Fishman will persuade you to think other than you might already think going into the book, but I think most readers would find it enlightening nevertheless.