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The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade (Paperback) (Paperback)
by Pietra Rivoli
| Category:
Non-fiction, Globalization, Economy |
| Market price: ¥ 178.00
MSL price:
¥ 168.00
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Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
An entertaining and insightful read on how the global economy really works for people. The author tackles the serious issues about globalization by exploring the life of her t-shirt. |
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Author: Pietra Rivoli
Publisher: Wiley
Pub. in: June, 2006
ISBN: 0470039205
Pages: 288
Measurements: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA00893
Other information: ISBN-13: 978-0470039205
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- Awards & Credential -
Prize or Award
Business Book of the Year 2005, Finalist
AAP Awards for Excellence in Professional and Scholarly Publishing, 2006
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- MSL Picks -
This is an excellent book that educates the reader about international business and global economics through the story of the life of a t-shirt, from the cotton fields of Texas to the textile factories of China and to the mitumba markets of East Africa. The T-shirt's journey demonstrates a need for full or better access to markets as the moving force of capitalism, and encourages further discussion on the political methods used (or to be used) to achieve that access.
An entertaining read on global economics - instructive economic history that delves into economic theories. A must for anyone interested in the realities of today's global economy, outsourcing, political lobbies and free markets.
Target readers:
General readers, especially the business people.
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- Better with -
Better with
The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor--and Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car! (Hardcover)
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Pietra Rivoli, PhD, is on the faculty of Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, where she specializes in international business, finance, and social issues in business.
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From publisher:
Learn about world trade from a t-shirt in this fascinating, around-the-world tale of a simple product in a highly competitive global marketplace. Over a five-year period, business professor Pietra Rivoli traveled from a Texas cotton field to a Chinese factory, and from trade negotiations in Washington to a used clothing market in Africa, to investigate compelling questions about the politics, economics, ethics, and the history of today's international business landscape. Looking closely at the lives of colorful characters from around the world, Rivoli uses her t-shirt to illustrate crucial lessons in the globalization debate and to demonstrate the impact of markets and politics on both rich and poor countries. A clear-eyed examination of the workings of the global economy, as well as an engaging story, this important narrative reveals surprising secrets of success in world markets - and its impact on individuals and communities around the world.
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| View all 7 comments |
Jeff Thermond (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-14 00:00>
Having read John Battelle's "The Search", I was all set to tell anyone who would listen it is THE business book of the year. After all, any book covering the history of search, the rise of Google, and how Google might be just in its infancy has to be as hot as GOOG's price is. Right?
Well, as fine at Battelle's book is (and you really should read it), Rivoli's is better.
Rivoli takes something as plebian as a tacky tourist T-shirt bought in South Florida and uses it as the start of a global tour from Lubbock to Shanghai to Long Beach to Miami to Brooklyn to Dar es Salaam. And you meet lots of fascinating people along the way, whom you won't soon forget. You'll learn more than you ever imagined about farm subsidies, transoceanic cargo fares, why 'the bottom keeps rising' in the 200 year history of sweatshops, and why everything you think happens to donated clothing is totally incorect.
And she keeps all of it interesting. Despite being an economist (a profession that seems to delight in arcania), she has written a literal page-turner of a book.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-14 00:00>
I am not an expert in economics or business, but this book was easy enough to understand and I got a lot of information from it. I am a slow reader but I finished this book within three days. This is a great book for anyone who want to know about global economy, international problems and so on. This is not like a text book but real entertainment. Highly recommended. |
Julius Takacs (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-14 00:00>
All of us have an opinion on globalization. We either fall into the protectionist or free trade camp or perhaps somewhere between but few of us have a clear concept of the mechanics of globalization. Alan Tonselson's book "The Race to the Bottom" tried explaining it using wry statistical economic analysis but Rivoli breathes life into globalization by fleshing out the people involved in the life cycle of an ordinary T-shirt. Her book illustrates this phenomenon to the layperson by demonstrating that globalization is more about history and, more importantly, politics, than about economics.
Her detailed discussion of textile trade politics leaves me to marvel at the fact that I am in fact wearing a T-shirt at all! Teleologically all political activity is aimed at material gain, hence, we are back to economics or as she so aptly demonstrates that politics gets in the way of economics.
Travels of a T-Shirt is an engrossing, informative, enlightening, and exciting book. The most salient feature is her historical discussion of cotton production and the textile industry. If you thought that globalization is a 21st century phenomena think again. Globalization is as old as the human race. Only its magnitude is unique to our century.
Readers will discover that the issues of globalization are not black and white but rather infinite shades of grey. I urge everyone to read this book for I guarantee that they will walk away with a whole new perspective. |
Robert (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-14 00:00>
I agree with the other reviewers - this book rocks. The author has done an amazing job in researching the book, not only with her travels around the world but also in examining all kinds of other research that has been done and in talking to people. the writing is so good that you think you are reading a great story, but then you realize how much you have learned at the same time. I was surprised to see that she was a professor. None of my econ or MBA profs were ever this interesting. I highly recommend this book if you have an interest in current debates about trade and globalization.
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View all 7 comments |
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