In CHEAP We Trust: The Story Of A Misunderstood American Virtue (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
This isn't quite what I expected. I thought the author would talk more about why Americans want cheap at all costs, what factors we ignore in the pursuit of cheap, how cheap influences the market, etc. Instead it was more a research project into the concept of cheap (how the stereotype came about and what we believe about it), how Americans went from promoting a culture of frugality (from the Puritans and Benjamin Franklin) to encouraging spending as a measure of patriotism (from post World War and 9/11 propoganda). The author ends up discussing Freegans and other people trying to leave cheaply in the current culture. I found the book easy to read and fairly interesting. I left with a better historical understanding of how our current consumer culture was created. I think the book isn't very well named because I didn't quite get how this "misunderstood American virtue" was supposed to be exposed. This was sometimes entertaining and sometimes insightful. It didn't move me into a different way of thinking, but it did make me think more about America's current past attitudes about resources and money. What I liked most about this book is the breadth of coverage. Weber discusses Ben Franklin, Keynesian economics, Wall Street and the "fregan" movement. My only substantial criticism is that she only covered the pro-government spending side of that debate, taking as given that fiscal stimulus works, while giving not even a nod to the counter-arguments. Would she be happy or not that the copy I read I borrowed from the library?
What do You think about In CHEAP We Trust: The Story Of A Misunderstood American Virtue (2009)?
Nothing new, somewhat scattered. Lacking in proper citations for quotes.
—Ayesha
Good in theory. Kinda boring in reality. I mostly skimmed.
—sathish
So far, it's great! Very interesting read.
—candabayne
