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Free Lunch (Abridged): How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You with the Bill) Audiobook
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(3.03) - 571 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The bestselling author of Perfectly Legal returns with a powerful new exposé.
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"This book was hugely informative about government hand outs to big corporations. After hearing the author speak about a few chapters on NPR i was sold, and I have to say I enjoyed reading it more than I thought i would. That said my enjoyment came more out of a, dear lord I'm glad I know now those fucking wanker politicians should die, but it was still interesting. If gov stuff bores you it may still tickle your fancy since you learn about the history of things like health care in America and how baseball stadiums are being bought with your money."
— Nosocialize (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“As an investigative reporter, Johnston is a big-game hunter. He skewers popular plutocrats like Buffett, digs up the dirt on unsavory sources of Paris Hilton’s fortune, and details Apple executive Steve Jobs’s backdated stock options thievery.”
— The Nation -
“Johnston is an indefatigable reporter whose work recalls the muckraking epics of the Progressive era.”
— The Oregonian (Portland) -
“A journalistic missile launched against the myth that those who mooch off the government are mostly on the lower rungs…This is a provocative, highly readable, and well-documented work.”
— South Florida Sun-Sentinel -
“If you’re concerned about congressional earmarks, hedge fund tax breaks, subsidies to sports teams, K Street lobbyists, the state of our health-care system, to say nothing of the cavernous gap between rich and poor, you’ll read this fine book—as I did—with a growing sense of outrage.”
— John C. Bogle, founder and former chairman, The Vanguard Group -
“Johnston narrates his own work with a newscaster’s tone and perspective. His direct tone keeps listeners engaged throughout.”
— AudioFile
Free Lunch Listener Reviews
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" My husband brought this book home from the library. The title caught my eye and I picked it up and couldn't put it down. Johnston discusses the ever growing problem of corporate welfare in our country and how our economic story is under-reported. When you see the stats whether you're conservative or liberal it will make your blood boil. The only problem is that I don't feel completely satisfied after reading "Free Lunch". I feel like the ball is rolling and it's up to us to stop it. But how??? "
— Mollie, 2/13/2014 -
" This book did a lot to shape my view of politics in this country. I can't drive past a Super Walmart or a BassPro or some other devlopment, or go to a game at the local sports arena without thinking about the things I learned from this book. If you want to understand why people are upset about the direction events seem to be taking in this country, you should read this book. "
— Alain, 2/1/2014 -
" A very depressing book about the middle class of today(?.....the rich and the poor, the have's and the have not's. About the rich oil companies like Halliburton and the influence of lobbyists with our government.Bottom Line: There is NO Free Lunch! "
— Sherman, 1/29/2014 -
" This was a pretty sobering look at a serious topic. I kept trying to remember that this is just one side of the issue. Unfortunately what I read in the newspaper correlated pretty strongly with the assertions that certain companies demand concessions from cities, thus not paying taxes for local services, schools, etc. "
— Vilo, 1/22/2014 -
" As somebody who falls into one of the most taxed income brackets, I have to say my blood is still boiling after reading this book. It was well-written in that it was a quick, interesting read that didn't get too bogged down in the nitty-gritty. But I wish the author had given us more in the way of possible solutions. "
— Anne, 1/17/2014 -
" Any individual chapter in this book is sufficient to piss me off, taken as a whole, I was to look up instructions on guillotine construction. "
— Bill, 1/17/2014 -
" An excellent explanation of why we're not in the middle of a socialist state but, rather, in the middle of a corporate welfare state. "
— Eugene, 12/31/2013 -
" Everyone should read this book! Whether you are Republican or Democrat it is important to see how both parties have contributed to a system where the uber-rich use the government to get themselves more of our money. "
— Kenny, 12/4/2013 -
" Great explanation of social welfare for the upper class. This is what is wrong with our current system of government... "
— Patrick, 9/1/2013 -
" This book had a hard time keeping my attention... or maybe I had a hard time paying attention. It is a fascinating book, but boring, boring, boring. (that's why I gave it only 2 stars) "
— Shanelle, 7/10/2013 -
" It is not justice, it is just-us. "
— Remontoire, 4/1/2013 -
" Convoluted games people play to bilk taxpayers of billions. How exactly DID George W. Bush get rich? "
— Julie, 2/8/2013 -
" Wow! This guy's a bit confused. He jumps from the far right to the far left and then back again as he complains about government subsidies giving a free ride to the richest Americans. "
— Scott, 1/20/2013 -
" Still reading this sequel to Perfectly Legal, and it is perhaps more disturbing than that book. "
— Nick, 7/14/2012 -
" The information is convoluted and hard to follow - not as in difficult to understand, but difficult to get excited about. It seems like a fascinating topic, but the writing gets in the way. "
— Randi, 6/14/2012 -
" Maddening. Interesting. Makes you want to do something immediately to stop it. Writing not bad, can get repetitive. Information is mind-boggling. "
— Jc, 8/26/2011 -
" How can Americans be encouraged to be moral and financially responsible and encourage/check others simultaneously? It's hard to think the teachings of the bible will be enough to create real respectful reform in the financial world. Book will make you angry but excellent info. "
— Paul, 5/26/2011 -
" Convoluted games people play to bilk taxpayers of billions. How exactly DID George W. Bush get rich? "
— Julie, 5/11/2011 -
" Any individual chapter in this book is sufficient to piss me off, taken as a whole, I was to look up instructions on guillotine construction. "
— Bill, 4/7/2011 -
" I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It was very enlightening and also extremely enraging. Rich people are dragging us all down. Vive la revolution! "
— Robert, 3/8/2011 -
" The author makes plenty of great factual points, but he also incorrectly extrapolates many of those facts to suit his own idealogical arguments and arrive at his own preconceived conclusions. <br/> <br/>Great facts, though! Read it for the factual insight, but be wary of the author's logic. "
— Cliff, 1/3/2011 -
" A very depressing book about the middle class of today(?.....the rich and the poor, the have's and the have not's. About the rich oil companies like Halliburton and the influence of lobbyists with our government.Bottom Line: There is NO Free Lunch! "
— Sherman, 9/21/2010 -
" Excellent book. A must read for anyone interested in how big corporations take advantage of "taxpayer" money. "
— Toni, 6/16/2010 -
" Maddening. Interesting. Makes you want to do something immediately to stop it. Writing not bad, can get repetitive. Information is mind-boggling. "
— Jc, 1/5/2010
About David Cay Johnston
David Cay Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the New York Times, has hunted down a killer the police failed to catch, exposed LAPD abuses, caused two television stations to lose their licenses over news manipulations, and revealed Donald Trump’s true net worth. He has uncovered so many tax dodges that he has been called the “de facto chief tax enforcement officer of the United States.” Four of his nonfiction works have made the New York Times bestsellers list, and Perfectly Legal was honored as Book of the Year by the journalism organization Investigative Reporters and Editors. Over his forty-year career he has won many other honors, including a George Polk Award. He has been a frequent guest on MSNBC, CNN, the BBC, ABC World News Tonight, Democracy Now!, and NPR’s Morning Edition, among other shows, and was a consultant for the Netflix series House of Cards.