Common Sense

The Investor's Guide to Equality, Opportunity, and Growth

By: Joel Greenblatt

Narrated by: Barry Abrams

The United States is supposed to offer economic opportunity to everyone. So why are so many people left out in the cold? Globalization and technological change have ravaged the workforce. Hostile immigration policies actually keep Americans from getting jobs. Our education system is deeply unequal, denying opportunity to millions right from the start. Still, we can't seem to break from the status quo.

In Common Sense, Joel Greenblatt offers an investor's perspective on building an economy that truly works for everyone. With dry and self-deprecating wit, he makes a lively and provocative case for disruptive new approaches - some drawn from personal experience, some from the outside looking in. How do we ensure that all children have an opportunity for a good education? Does getting a college degree have to be a requirement for getting a good job? If we subsidize banks, how do we ensure that the risks and rewards are distributed fairly? Greenblatt shows why expanding an already existing program might help more people than raising the minimum wage, how dramatically increasing immigration would be like giving every American a bonus, and the reason Australia might be the best place to learn about saving for retirement. Not everyone will agree with what Greenblatt has to say - but all of us can benefit from the conversations he aims to start.

©2020 Joel Greenblatt (P)2020 Gildan Media

Good luck. Interesting ideas.

It’s a good book with a lot of pragmatic ideas. It makes me wish someone like Mr. Greenblatt could be running things as opposed to the politicians we have. A lot of creative ideas with solid analysis behind them.

this has nothing to do with investing.

I'm researching and reading about investing. I'm talking stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, retirement accounts, all that stuff. the author has a few books about investing, so I got them all and began listening. I understand the author had a career in the school administration system, and he will likely talk about the school system in every book. I understand. but, the first half of this book is kids and education system. it has lots of great info so if that's what you're looking for, get this book. but the second half of this book goes into careers and opportunities and immigration. I wanted stocks and bonds and mutual funds. I got a big ol' rundown on life in the USA with lots of facts about inequality and job opportunities.

the reader did a good job. clear wording, little to no accent, good voice.

I thought that I was purchasing an Investing Tome

Might have some good advice with regard to how we as a Society can improve our problematic educational and Social Security Systems, this is not what I thought that I was getting. This is NOT an investing strategy type book.

weak book.

The conclusion was the best part. I spent 4 hours listen to this book when I should of just read the conclusion.

Nothing to do with investing

Title is misleading, this book appears to have nothing to do with investing. Discusses how to improve education and the school system. Stopped listening after first chapter. If there is better info later in the book I’ll never know.