Sam Pizzigati, Editor
Too Much Newsletter

Has somebody slipped an irrationality pill into America’s water supply? How else to explain the “birther movement” or the widespread willingness to swallow claims that President Obama wants to impose “death panels” on us?

Such stunning irrationality does not surprise Dr. Edward Phillips. He sees irrationality throughout American society — and not just from “yokels.” After all, what could be more irrational than a corporate board believing that a CEO somehow merits a thousand times more pay than an average worker?

Phillips, now 71, has seen plenty of irrationality over his many years spent in corporate decision-making circles. Plenty of ordinariness, too. Spend time around “a few persons of great wealth,” he suggests, “and you will quickly discover this commonality: they are pretty much like everyone else.” Some will be bright and articulate, others dull and “border on incoherency.”

If we all learned to think critically and stopped “allowing ourselves to be manipulated,” Phillips believes, such ordinariness would “not command $100 million dollar salaries.”

Phillips has academic credentials to go with his business background, and he knows his way around economic theory. But he comes across, in these pages, as a “regular guy,” the sort of fellow who'd be great to have around the next time a loudmouth in-law starts channeling Rush Limbaugh.

These loudmouths seem to be everywhere today. But far more thoughtful souls like Edward Phillips may be just as bountiful, if not as loud. Their day will come.

Source: R.B. Ashley, U.S.A.F. (ret.)
Date: 11/9/2008

This is a very profound book and a major contribution in the difficult task of helping the reader understand the subject of economics. But it is more than that. Its goal is to show you the elements of critical thinking and how to apply that knowledge to a wide variety of issues that confront you daily. It achieves this end brilliantly.

Source: Henry Miarka, Accountant
Date: 1/15/2009

This is a really good book on economics fundamentals and how to survive in a complex society. I learned a lot from it and highly recommend it to others.

Source: Robert Johnson, Ph.D., Health Scientist
Date: 10/8/2008

This is a great book for the era of change. 275 smooth-reading pages packed with wisdom, economic information for all, and exceptionally thought-provoking ideas. It advocates cultural change with huge benefits for both the individual and society as a whole.

Source: John Sappe, Ed.D, Educator
Date: 10/1/2008

If you share Dr. Phillips' observation [that 80 percent of Americans could use more wealth] then the message of this book will be of great benefit to you – DIRECTLY. The concepts presented here will inspire you to become empowered.

To all that venture forth on “The New American Challenge” I extend a hail and hardy, bon voyage. We have a common destination and I hope to see you there.

Source: Kurt Wenzing, Int'l Operations (ret.)
Date: 8/20/2008

I wish I could cause this book to be required reading for all Americans over age 14… that is how strongly I value the lessons to be gained by all who will read this book.

Dr. Phillips is very convincing in describing how we can eliminate poverty without taking existing wealth from anyone, whether by taxes or any other means. In chapters 7 & 8 there is a treasuretrove of information on how you can learn to think critically and avoid many of society's ills.

Source: F.M. Sibley, Ph.D.
Date: Feb. 11, 2009

Dr. Phillips has taken the difficult subject of economics and made it understandable to virtually all readers. He shows us how we can become better consumers and how we can create a lot of new wealth at a time when we sorely need it. I highly recommend this fascinating survivors's guide to everyone.

Source: Joe Azbell, Teacher
Date: Feb. 2, 2009

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. If more people heeded the information in it they would not be in the dire straits they find themselves. The chapter on critical thinking is especially important.

Source: Philip Young, U.S. Govt (SSA)
Date: July 26, 2009

I majored in Economics and can honestly say that this book is one I can recommend to anyone interested in what is going on in the Economy today. It is written in plain English. Ed has a gift of explaining a number of very important concepts in a way that is understandable to anyone interested. Concepts, that when explained by other teachers, tended to cure insomnia.

I was fortunate in my studies to have both Harvard liberal and Chicago conservative professors; often times, one after the other. In the real world, there are very few pure conservatives or pure liberals even if we could get an agreement as to just what those labels mean. I would think Ed tends toward conservative economics with a liberal social bent with one important caveat--he recognizes the limitations and shortcomings of both.

Although I agree that his suggested solutions to the problems we face today can work, and that we all would be better off adopting them, I am not sure enough people will adopt them to make a macro difference. However, the depth and length of today's recession may be what is needed to make it work. In any event, I highly recommend this book to you.