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While America Aged Audiobook
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(3.52) - 25 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In While America Aged, bestselling author Roger Lowenstein explains how corporations and governments ran up ruinous pension and health-care promises to workers—promises that are now coming due and that will hit America like a tsunami if nothing is done. Negotiating high benefits means gambling with future finances—and when the farm gets sold out from underneath major corporations or public institutions, it affects all of us, and in ways we might not imagine. With his trademark narrative panache, Lowenstein unravels the truth about how pensions work in America and illuminates the impending crisis.
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"It's a well written and readable account of three stories where pensions went wrong. The three examples aren't really tied together, but each situation is powerful enough on it's own. The topics are clearly well researched, and the author's writing style makes this a smooth read. "
— Nate (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Financial journalist Roger Lowenstein uses the stories of three deeply encumbered institutions…as examples not only of the way most individual Americans conduct their personal finances, but also of how the country as a whole has long lived beyond its means…Gripping.”
— Washington Post -
“A refreshing perspective…The book gives the reader lively stories and historical insight.”
— Publishers Weekly, starred review -
“Michael McConnohie delivers a historical examination of Social Security and corporate pensions in a strong, straightforward manner…[and a] resonant, authoritative tone…The natural pace of his narration moves forward the three case studies.”
— AudioFile -
“Lowenstein goes into great detail establishing the history and politics that went into the creation of these pension systems and further expounds on how their mismanagement brought down the whole system. Many businesses and governments will soon need to face up to the facts of their pension obligations and make some tough choices.”
— Booklist
While America Aged Listener Reviews
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" Great and important topic - but I never made it past the GM section. It is just too boring and technical. I hope a better writer addresses this important subject so the masses can get their heads around it... "
— James, 10/13/2013 -
" Dry as a bag of chips in the desert. As usual Lowenstein goes into excruciating detail. But really interesting, if you're into labor relations and pension plans. "
— Matthew, 9/5/2013 -
" Good description of the coming pension crisis. "
— Nedland, 8/8/2013 -
" Excellent - good look at the pressures that cause pensions to rise. "
— Dimitri, 6/1/2013 -
" anti-business "
— Shane, 5/10/2013 -
" While America Aged tells what is now a familiar story: that pensions are grossly underfunded and little is being done to address the problem. In the end, it seems to come down to governments and businesses being unwilling to pay today for something they can (hopefully) put off until tomorrow. "
— Riley, 3/28/2013 -
" Short summary I posted - Interesting beyond the story of GM that initially attracted me to it. "
— Trevor, 1/15/2013 -
" Interesting but too heavy for my mood right now...will get back to it. "
— Karen, 12/22/2012 -
" Great overview of how GM's pensions killed its ability to compete with the likes of Toyota and Honda. "
— Ryan, 4/23/2012 -
" I certainly learned something from it, although the author gets a little hysterical at times and the book feels rushed. A bit more subtlety and historical perspective would have helped. "
— David, 2/13/2012 -
" Very informative - the book provides three narratives that illuminate the problems with today's pensions. The GM story is particularly poignant given the current economic climate. "
— Laura, 2/4/2012 -
" Read it to see how San Diego government crashed and burned and how it is still just ok. "
— Keith, 12/9/2011 -
" It's a well written and readable account of three stories where pensions went wrong. The three examples aren't really tied together, but each situation is powerful enough on it's own. The topics are clearly well researched, and the author's writing style makes this a smooth read. "
— Nate, 10/5/2011 -
" This is the only funny, exciting book in the world about...ACCOUNTING! Lowenstein's style and funny stories make a dry subject entertaining. "
— Deborah, 3/11/2011 -
" This book is pretty dry, but dry like a ton of bricks hitting you. "
— Michael, 2/14/2011 -
" Good description of the coming pension crisis. "
— Nedland, 12/11/2010 -
" While America Aged tells what is now a familiar story: that pensions are grossly underfunded and little is being done to address the problem. In the end, it seems to come down to governments and businesses being unwilling to pay today for something they can (hopefully) put off until tomorrow. <br/> "
— Riley, 5/18/2010 -
" Excellent - good look at the pressures that cause pensions to rise. "
— Dimitri, 8/15/2009 -
" Dry as a bag of chips in the desert. As usual Lowenstein goes into excruciating detail. But really interesting, if you're into labor relations and pension plans. "
— Matthew, 7/23/2009 -
" This book is pretty dry, but dry like a ton of bricks hitting you. "
— Michael, 3/4/2009 -
" Great and important topic - but I never made it past the GM section. It is just too boring and technical. I hope a better writer addresses this important subject so the masses can get their heads around it... "
— James, 1/26/2009 -
" I certainly learned something from it, although the author gets a little hysterical at times and the book feels rushed. A bit more subtlety and historical perspective would have helped. "
— David, 1/6/2009 -
" Great overview of how GM's pensions killed its ability to compete with the likes of Toyota and Honda. "
— Ryan, 11/18/2008 -
" Very informative - the book provides three narratives that illuminate the problems with today's pensions. The GM story is particularly poignant given the current economic climate. "
— Laura, 10/29/2008
About Roger Lowenstein
Janet Lowe is the author of the bestselling Warren Buffett Speaks, Jack Welch Speaks, and Bill Gates Speaks, all from Wiley. Her articles have appeared in such publications as Newsweek, the Christian Science Monitor, the Los Angeles Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
About Michael McConnohie
Michael McConnohie has appeared in soap operas, cartoons, prime-time television, and on stage. His audiobook readings have ranged from true crime to history, biography, science, self-help, and poetry. He has seen much of the world as a supervisor of foreign versions of major American films and has written and directed English versions of many prominent foreign films. He believes that a good book is a friend you can visit over and over again and always enjoy the conversation.