The War on Normal People

By: Andrew Yang

Narrated by: Andrew Yang

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

From entrepreneur Andrew Yang, the founder of Venture for America, an eye-opening look at how new technologies are erasing millions of jobs before our eyes - and a rallying cry for the urgent steps America must take, including Universal Basic Income, to stabilize our economy.

The shift toward automation is about to create a tsunami of unemployment. Not in the distant future - now. One recent estimate predicts 13 million American workers will lose their jobs within the next seven years - jobs that won't be replaced. In a future marked by restlessness and chronic unemployment, what will happen to American society?

In The War on Normal People, Andrew Yang paints a dire portrait of the American economy. Rapidly advancing technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation software are making millions of Americans' livelihoods irrelevant. The consequences of these trends are already being felt across our communities in the form of political unrest, drug use, and other social ills. The future looks dire - but is it unavoidable?

In The War on Normal People, Yang imagines a different future - one in which having a job is distinct from the capacity to prosper and seek fulfillment. At this vision's core is Universal Basic Income, the concept of providing all citizens with a guaranteed income - and one that is rapidly gaining popularity among forward-thinking politicians and economists. Yang proposes that UBI is an essential step toward a new, more durable kind of economy, one he calls "human capitalism."

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2018 Andrew Yang (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"In this powerful book, Andrew Yang highlights the urgent need to rewrite America's social contract. In a call to arms that comes from both head and heart, Yang has made an important contribution to the debate about where America is headed and what we need to do about it." (Alec Ross, New York Times best-selling author of The Industries of the Future)

"This book is a must read. Andrew Yang is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing our country the way only an entrepreneur can, but unlike most, he sees the big picture. Making money is good for you - but building a strong society and strong people is good for all of us. The topics Andrew addresses in this book aren't about some dystopian future way down the road. These things are happening today, and every entrepreneur should read this book to understand the challenges of the next decade." (Daymond John, star of ABC's Shark Tank, best-selling author of The Power of Broke, and founder of FUBU)

"Andrew Yang is one of those rare visionaries who puts dreams into action. The War on Normal People is both a clear-eyed look at the depths of our social and economic problems and an innovative roadmap toward a better future." (Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global)

"A sobering portrait of a crumbling polity...[and] a provocative work of social criticism." (Kirkus Reviews)

Thorough, data driven, and convincing.

Loved listening to this book on my commute! To me this book consisted of 2 parts chapters 1-16 are the problem, and boy I'm convinced the author is right that this is the #1 problem the world is facing. Automation is going to obliterate communities and lives. I learned so much from this section, but as it's content suggests, it gets depressing. If the reader likes, they can jump straight to the 'solution' half of the book, starting on chapter 16/17.

The solution section is excellently filled with new ideas for dealing with the fallout of automation. The biggest solution is Universal Basic Income. One of the reasons I got this book was because I like UBI, but have concerns about how it can be paid for and delivered. This section answered my questions, and even gave more suggestions as to its effectiveness and pilot studies going on right now. He also adds more ideas after UBI, some sound plausible, others ehh.

As a techy neuroscientist in the field of AI I completely agree with the author's sense of urgency for this subject, and getting ahead of the problem, and in that way this book is a must read/listen.

A great book that addresses real issues...

but he should have hired someone else to read it. The performance is terrible. The first two-thirds of the book paint a very bleak picture. The last third of the book have some inventive solutions, which may or may not be feasible but the real point of the book is to acquaint us with the idea that radical changes are coming and that we will have to adapt or suffer the consequences. This is why it pains me to say that the performance of this book sounds like a high school kid giving a book report.

Thank God there is someone with actual ideas

Great book, genuine and refreshing. I may not agree with all his ideas but I see his ideas have actually been thought out. Narration was good and the flow of the book was excellent. Even if Andrew doesn't win the election, I hope our country leaders consult people like Andrew regularly as he can help create a better country for all of us. I went into this book as a skeptic and ended appreciating Andrew Yang.

Sober reading of the future

Great questions and good solutions. wake up people or be gobbled up by the change that is coming.

Ambitious work with thoughtful solutions

There's some serious problems in the world. Not only now but in the near future. Yang is a thoughtful and caring guy that's also a proven high achiever and entrepreneur. His vision for society is one you could actually see yourself happy in.

Fantastic Book With Real Stats and Studies

Positions were presented with statistics and studies to back them up. It's nice to hear someone present the logic next to the opinions and positions they take.

Super Insightful

You will finish admiring Yang’s vision for a better future, and inspired by his creative optimism. Awesome read!!

I've Learned So Much

Andrew have taught me a lot in this book and has only improved my opinion of him.

Best argument for universal income

Very thorough and backed by data. I’m looking forward to hearing more about this topic in the next presidential election!

Much deeper than the interviews, worth a listen

This is an excellent description of the problem that faces us and a compelling solution.