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The Fine Print: How Big Companies Use 'Plain English' to Rob You Blind Audiobook
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(4.01) - 94 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
David Cay Johnston has made a name for himself as the defender of the common man, calling out the rich and powerful for cheating the system at the expense of everyone else. Whether he's exposing unjust loopholes in the tax code that help the rich get richer or pointing out how powerful corporations pocket government subsidies at excessive taxpayer expense, Johnston is an eloquent town crier for justice and equality.
Now this bestselling author has turned his attention to the sneaky stipulations hidden in the fine print of just about every contract and government rule. Johnston has been known to whip out a utility bill—any utility bill—and explain line by line what all that mumbo jumbo actually means (and it doesn't mean anything good, unless you happen to be the utility company). Within all that jargon, disclosed in accordance with all requirements to you, the unsuspecting customer, lie the tools many companies use to rob you blind. Even worse is what's missing—all the contractually binding clauses that companies hide elsewhere, yet still enforce.
The Fine Print is essential listening for anyone who wants to wrest power back from devious corporations and end their longstanding consumer abuse.
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"I first thought it would be a bit of a bore, but so far this is a fascinating account of how companies are taking advantage of its customers by dishonest pricing and price gouging"
— Sgilbert (4 out of 5 stars)
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“The Fine Print… [shows] a gamut of ways in which big corporations, especially regulated utilities, cheat ordinary people (as well as each other) out of their money…if you enjoy learning about the dirty little secrets behind the ways powerful businesses make their profits, you probably will like this book.”
— Washington Post -
Todd McLaren narrates at a good pace, keeping the energy high throughout. Reading with conviction and enthusiasm, he makes it sound as if the words are his own.
— AudioFile -
“Todd McLaren narrates at a good pace, keeping the energy high throughout. Reading with conviction and enthusiasm, he makes it sound as if the words are his own.”
— AudioFile -
“Experienced radio and voice-over actor, Todd McLaren, gives a sober, steady reading to this informative work. Highly recommended.”
— Sound Commentary -
“Veteran investigative reporter Johnston reveals how businesses, with the consent of government agencies, rip off consumers in plain sight…Investigative journalism at its best, as Johnston seeks to comfort the afflicted while afflicting the comfortable.”
— Kirkus Reviews
The Fine Print Listener Reviews
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" I just heard the author on Fresh Air. I am afraid if I read it, my head may explode:-( "
— Nancy, 8/4/2013 -
" David Cay Johnston does it again. Great book. I knew we were being raped: this book provides some of the details on exactly how. "
— Abby, 7/29/2013 -
" This book like previous books by this author is an excellent read. I like his 'Corporate Socialism' term to describe what is happening behind the scene. "
— Mike, 7/22/2013 -
" I am saddened and depressed that our government does not protect consumers from the abuses of big corporations. "
— Rita, 7/5/2013 -
" tons of great facts about how awful private enterprise can be in trying to steal money from us "
— Glenn, 5/20/2013 -
" Brilliant. And insightful. Every American should read it, and then write to his/her member of Congress, as well as state legislators. "
— Mary, 10/16/2012
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.
About Todd McLaren
Todd McLaren, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, was involved in radio for more than twenty years in cities on both coasts, including Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He left broadcasting for a full-time career in voice acting, where he has been heard on more than five thousand television and radio commercials, as well as television promos; narrations for documentaries on such networks as A&E, Discovery, and the History Channel; and films, including Who Framed Roger Rabbit?