The Theft of a Decade

How the Baby Boomers Stole the Millennials' Economic Future

By: Joseph C. Sternberg

Narrated by: Corey Gagne

A Wall Street Journal columnist delivers a brilliant narrative of the mugging of the millennial generation - how the baby boomers have stolen the millennials' future in order to ensure themselves a comfortable present

The Theft of a Decade is a contrarian, revelatory analysis of how one generation pulled the rug out from under another and the myriad consequences that has set in store for all of us. The millennial generation was the unfortunate victim of several generations of economic theories that made life harder for them than it was for their grandparents.

Then came the crash of 2008, and the boomer generation's reaction to it was brutal: politicians and policymakers made deliberate decisions that favored the interests of the boomer generation over their heirs, the most egregious being over the use of monetary policy, fiscal policy, and regulation. For the first time in recent history, policymakers gave up on investing for the future and instead mortgaged that future to pay for the ugly economic sins of the present.

This book describes a new economic crisis, a sinister tectonic shift that is stealing a generation's future.

©2019 Joseph C. Sternberg (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"If you're a Millennial, I strongly recommend this engaging book. It will arm you with all the facts you need about the problems you will face in the labor market, education, housing, and paying down the enormous debt left by your Boomer parents. And after you read it, PLEASE don't forget to vote!" (Isabel Sawhill, senior fellow at The Brookings Institution and author of Forgotten Americans: An Economic Agenda for a Divided Nation)

"Riveting... This is a must-read for cash-strapped millennials seeking to learn precisely how employment, investment, taxation, and the government's social safety net programs have changed drastically over the past generation." (Publishers Weekly)

"The Theft of a Decade shows how the same solutions tried over and over by Republicans and Democrats alike have not worked, and cannot work in the future. Both sides recognize that something has gone terribly wrong in our economy. But so far, neither has been willing to do the hard work of rethinking our approach to everything from education to monetary policy. Joseph Sternberg makes the strong case that we need to offer a new approach to solving our nation's problems, and resist the urge to double down on the failed policies of the past. This should be required reading, not just for millennials, but for all Americans." [Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI)]

Everyone needs to read

The insight could be useful for figuring out what to do next. This is a must read. Don’t let the title fool you baby boomers.

Good overview of the controversy (I think)

I selected this as a good first-pass overview, because it had been criticized by both conservative and by progressive sources. To that end, it was helpful. He references studies and data that would be useful to see in pdf or printed form. It might have been better to read the printed version, but my reading pile is too high already! This was worth the time.

A Necessary Read

This is a necessary read for Boomers and Millennials alike. It is especially necessary for anybody who votes and cares about implications on Millennials and gen Z of policies enacted in the past and being proposed in the future. Buy a few copies and hand them out.

Good info and good narration

Data is presented in a compelling and easy to digest manner. I’d recommend not listening to it before going to visit some Boomers as you’ll be sorely tempted to correct their misguided thoughts as to how great they are.

Stats heavy

Super heavy on stats but they painted the picture for me clearly. I loved this book. I really enjoyed the side notes too. It was a sad realistic look at our future but hopeful in the sense that the more millennials start waking up to what is happening in politics, the more we can advocate for ourselves.

Accurate Analysis

Largely compromised of existing data; without opinion. Author points out that Boomer political/fiscal policies maneuvered their children into a difficult situation; and explains how we react.

Depressingly informative for everyone!

This audiobook was extremely well written and gave facts based on economic policies that led us to where we are now, which shows a bleak financial outlook for millennials, like myself. A bit depressing, but informative nonetheless.

Well written and narrated. No definite solutions, but the author made sure to include examples from other countries that don’t seem to be working, which is helpful.

A great audiobook to listen to for anyone, especially those in economics, finance, or the real estate industries.

The reading of endnotes destroys the audiobook

The editorial decision to read the many endnotes within the narrative ruins this audiobook and makes listening unbearable.

I feel like I just listened to a dog whistle

It started fine, and he makes some good points, but as even handed and unbiased as I believe he wants to appear in the end he reveals his true motives through how he says things and describes them. Coaxing people away from community, favoring GOP views. Disappointing.