The Occupy handbook

This compilation of articles about the Occupy Wall Street movement is impressive for its breadth of coverage and distinguished group of contributors. The volume is divided into three sections: "How We Got Here," "Where We Are Now," and "Solutions." The section titles are descriptive as to the contents of each, though some articles are not a perfect fit for their assigned section. Nevertheless, all are written by respected people in the world of economics and finance. Readers will easily recognize some names (e.g., Paul Krugman, Paul Volcker, Michael Lewis), but they also will be impressed when reading the brief notes about the other contributors, which appear at the beginning of their articles. As with the Occupy Wall Street movement itself, the continuing theme of this collection is income inequality and democracy. Because the contributors write at a fairly sophisticated level, the articles may be too advanced for lower-division students and general readers. This volume contains a set of excellent notes for each contribution. Unfortunately, it lacks a bibliography; instead, sources are listed in a "Credits" section at the end of the book. A valuable resource for understanding the myriad issues raised by the Occupy movement. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate and up. C. J. Munson Western Technical College

Assembled in an astonishing three months by editor and author Byrne (A Genius for Living: The Life of Frieda Lawrence), this hefty tome tackles the mercurial Occupy movement that has spread from Wall Street across the world via 55 essays from writers of all stripes and backgrounds. Smartly organized into three sections-what led to the Occupy movement, where it is today, and potential paths for the future-Byrne's contributors let loose with volley after volley of analysis, figures, and suggestions. Hard statistics on the current state of economic inequality rest comfortably with and compliment historical accounts of similar protests, sociological examinations of wealth distribution, essays on Occupy's shared principles with anarchy, ruminations on the efficacy of democracy, and the failed experiment that was communism. Many approaches are offered toward remedying the gross disparity of the distribution of wealth, ranging from various tax reforms to rethinking student loans and Medicare. Neither Byrne nor her essayists are glib enough to offer a roadmap; many authors suggest that the movement's lack of a defined leader or list of demands is critical to its widespread appeal and endurance. Those curious about the momentum behind the movement and the economic, societal, and cultural trends that have enraged so many will find plenty of illumination here. It's enough to make even a one percenter rethink the way wealth is shared. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.