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mcloonejack's review
5.0
“The fight for a shorter working week will therefore be just that: a fight. While the case for a radical policy agenda must be kept alive in political parties of the Left through members, activists, progressive think tanks and journalists, the fight for free time will be won by building power in the workplace and across society at large.”
With “Overtime,” Stronge and Lewis have crafted not just a tight, compelling argument for the necessity of (at minimum) a four-day work week, but also sketch out a roadmap for achieving it.
This work shouldn’t be considered comprehensive in either respect; it’s only 99 pages (before you get to the notes). (As an aside: why are there multiple reviews mad that this only “scratches the surface.” Of course if only does? What did you expect?) But there isn’t a page wasted, as it manages to not just touch on the need for a shorter work week for the conventional work-life balance reasons, but also look at it from a gender and race equality frame and also in the push for environmental protection.
This is a great starting point for those looking to begin to think about how radically our conception of work, and it’s controlling role in our lives, needs to change.
With “Overtime,” Stronge and Lewis have crafted not just a tight, compelling argument for the necessity of (at minimum) a four-day work week, but also sketch out a roadmap for achieving it.
This work shouldn’t be considered comprehensive in either respect; it’s only 99 pages (before you get to the notes). (As an aside: why are there multiple reviews mad that this only “scratches the surface.” Of course if only does? What did you expect?) But there isn’t a page wasted, as it manages to not just touch on the need for a shorter work week for the conventional work-life balance reasons, but also look at it from a gender and race equality frame and also in the push for environmental protection.
This is a great starting point for those looking to begin to think about how radically our conception of work, and it’s controlling role in our lives, needs to change.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Such an informative book, and one I recommended on my staff picks. I am SO DOWN for a four day work week for the same pay, for a work week that helps the environment, burn out, our health...
neethineethi's review
4.0
I appreciated this book for really diving in to why we absolutely need to work less and pointing out historical and current day examples of unions and labor movements achieving gains in the form of shorter work weeks. The conversation about a potential 4 day work week has been mainstreamed the past few years and this book does a great job of speaking to the ways in which it would allow us all to live better and more fulfilled lives.
My only issue with this book is that it felt a bit disorganized. I enjoyed all of it, but it didn’t necessarily flow and felt disjointed at times. I have seen reviews here complaining about how the authors didn’t show a path forward but I’d argue that the last chapter speaks to that as much as it can by emphasizing the power of unions, labor movements, progressive politicians, etc.
My only issue with this book is that it felt a bit disorganized. I enjoyed all of it, but it didn’t necessarily flow and felt disjointed at times. I have seen reviews here complaining about how the authors didn’t show a path forward but I’d argue that the last chapter speaks to that as much as it can by emphasizing the power of unions, labor movements, progressive politicians, etc.