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!
Ellen C. (marathonmom) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Ehrenreich explores the trials, tribulations, and lack of success of a middle class white collar woman during a search for a job. To write this book, Ehrenreich went "undercover" as a middle-aged woman returning to the full-time workforce, in an attempt to experience some of the elements that face down-sized or underemployed workers today. Though this book was written in 2005/06 it still seems relevant to today's economy and workforce. If that's true, then this book paints a bleak picture of the trials and outcomes facing today's educated job-seeker. I'm not sure how universal Ehrenreich's experience is, but the book is damned depressing. Ultimately though, as reading matter, its not as engaging as "Nickeled and Dimed", Ehrenreich's exploration of woman's entry level blue collar work. I guess its hard to make time spent at a computer and in various networking and support group meetings as interesting as being abused by one's boss at Walmart. Still, the picture it paints of America's corporate job market is scary.
Julia H. (PrintsS) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Discouraged because you can't find a job? This book commisserates with unsuccessful job-seekers with facts, statistics and anecdotes. Barbara Ehrenreich outlines the big picture in a readable manner.
D.S. C. (poppquorn) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Nickled and Dimed by Ehrenreich is a great read. Bait and Switch doesn't seem to ever take off the ground. Nevertheless, it is an interesting read if only for the cringe-worthy networking events.
Lyn H. (Hewette) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not quite what I expected, but a good narrative of the current middle-class job search.
AMY S. (AmySu) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent and tragic at the same time. Good insight and info on traps that the unemployed can fall into in the hopes of getting that white collar job.
Kate R. (nausetsunrise) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ehrenreich writes much of this seeminly tongue-in-cheek. You can easily read between the lines. Some of this is laugh-out-loud funny, until you consider this is nonfiction! Then, it might give you shivers.
Even more important than when it was first published, this should comfort anyone who works for any company anywhere. It will also be tempting to leave copies on the desks of management.
Even more important than when it was first published, this should comfort anyone who works for any company anywhere. It will also be tempting to leave copies on the desks of management.
Carol L. (vagabondiam) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 5 more book reviews
this book is the flip side of Nickel and Dimed.....it shows Corporate America and the struggle of an unemployed white collar worker.....
Joey S. (Joey) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 404 more book reviews
"The book is written exceptionally well, is quite funny, and ...it is well worth reading. In fact I think every corporate executive who has a role in determining the fate of middle managers should read this book if for no other reason than getting a first hand glimpse at the impact of their decisions." amazon
Robin G. (Zipporah) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 35 more book reviews
Not quite as breath-taking as Nickled and Dimed, but quite good if you like Barbara Ehrenreich and are interested in the plight of the white-collar unemployed.
Julie E. reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 213 more book reviews
Interesting book. Parts of it are long though.
Margaret S. reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 9 more book reviews
This one wasn't as good as nickel and dimed, but great book for a quick college writing assignment.
George R. (georgeious) reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 7 more book reviews
if you liked nickel and dimed by the same author, you'll find this book just as interesting.
Jon C. reviewed Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream on + 7 more book reviews
Author Barbara Ehrenreich is a whiner. She is the type of person who inspires people to give up and lead a pathetic life. She puts forth the idea that "it is not my fault". Well, when you take 100% responsibility for your situation based on the choices that you have made, you also can take 100% control of your future. But if you spend time blaming others, the economy, the wealthy, the poor, the other gender, etc. Your energy and focus is EVERYWHERE except where it should be.
I strongly suggest that you skip this book. Garbage in garbage out. I only read it for research and to see what my clients might be putting in their heads.
I strongly suggest that you skip this book. Garbage in garbage out. I only read it for research and to see what my clients might be putting in their heads.
