Selling the Dream

The Billion-Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans

By: Jane Marie

Narrated by: Jane Marie

Peabody and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jane Marie expands on her popular podcast The Dream to expose the scourge of multilevel marketing schemes and how they have profited off the evisceration of the American working class.

We’ve all heard of Amway, Mary Kay, Tupperware, and LuLaRoe, but few know the nefarious way they, and countless other multilevel marketing (MLM) companies, prey on desperate Americans struggling to make ends meet.

When factories close, stalwart industries shutter, and blue-collar opportunities evaporate, MLMs are there, ready to pounce on the crumbling American Dream. MLMs thrive in rural areas and on military bases, targeting women with promises of being their own boss and millions of dollars in easy income—even at the risk of their entire life savings. But the vast majority—99.7%—of those who join an MLM make no money or lose money, and wind up stuck with inventory they can’t sell to recoup their losses.

Selling the Dream “is an urgent and riveting exposé” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) that reveals how these companies—often owned by political and corporate elites, such as the DeVos and the Van Andel families—have made a windfall in profit off of the desperation of the American working class.

Critic reviews

“What a strange and insidious world Jane has chosen to explore and share with us, one that is hiding around every corner of American life.” (Susan Orlean, New York Times bestselling author of The Library Book)

“So, my former intern wrote a book. You're looking at it. I knew nothing about this world and loved learning about it from Jane.” (Ira Glass, host and producer of This American Life)

“Charting the dark underbelly of multilevel marketing isn’t for the faint of heart, but in Jane’s capable hands we’re along for a wild ride. In Selling the Dream her big heart and clear-eyed reporting are on full display.” (W. Kamau Bell, author of The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell)

“[A] piercing debut investigation into the pyramid schemes underlying such well-known American brands as Amway, Avon, and Mary Kay…[Selling the Dream] is an urgent and riveting exposé of the fraudulent tactics behind direct sales organizations.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Marie offers a biting exposé of multilevel marketing schemes (MLMs), triangular business structures that exploit people hoping to realize riches and success....Eye-opening reporting on a prolific scam.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“[A] breezy, pulls-no-punches deep dive into the world of pyramid schemes—oops, ‘multilevel marketing opportunities’…. Firing off her sassy asides, Marie’s blunt honesty will attract readers of Amanda Montell’s Cultish and Emily Lynn Paulson’s Hey, Hun.” (Booklist)

Historical perspective.

Well-researched and objective look at this industry. It’s infuriating, but I see why people are victimized by these companies.

Kept me wanting more

Great listen and I didn’t want to stop, had to keep the story going. Grateful for the research put in for this book!

Jane Marie, Expert in her Field

I could listen to Jane Marie for days. Like her podcast this was easy to follow and uncovered more stories of the MLM “cult” I would recommend this to anyone interested in learning more or to anyone interested in joining an MLM to discover the darkness hidden.

Read this before replying to a „Hey hon“ DM…

This book is an interesting, informative, and engaging listen for anyone who wonders what their friends, family, and former high school classmates have gotten into. All those Facebook friends and Instagram accounts DMing you about essential oils, skincare, nutritional supplements, „buttery“ leggings, press-on fingernails, and the chance to make money while working for yourself? They’re reps for multilevel marketing, aka network marketing aka potential pyramid schemes.

Jane Marie offers an efficient overview of the history of MLMs in the United States, how they work, who they recruit, and the challenges of regulating them. She‘s hard on MLM founders but compassionate towards the many people who get swept up into them based on false promises. Narration is in the personal style that fans of „The Dream“ podcast will enjoy.

Selling the Dream

LOVED the book, so informative and funny!! Keep sharing the info about MLMs; they’re a danger to everyone and American policy, influence, and society as a whole!!