Stop Signs: Cars and Capitalism on the Road to Economic, Social and Ecological Decay

by Yves Engler, Bianca Mugyenyi

Focusing on how cities have been torn down and remade based on the needs of the automobile and wars are fought to keep fuel tanks filled, this consideration looks closely at the country’s obsession with cars. The argument contends that the automobile’s ascendance is inextricably linked to several factors—from capitalism and involved corporate malfeasance to political intrigue, backroom payoffs, and media manipulation. The discussion also cites the elements of racism, academic corruption, third world coups, secret armies, environmental destruction, and even war, stating that when the domination of cars is challenged, capitalism is as well. Comparing studies in more than a dozen U.S. cities, this gritty, anti-car, road-trip story provides a unique observation for all those who wish to escape the clutches of auto insanity.

Genres: Economics, Politics, Cities, Nonfiction, American, History, Environment

259 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to the book launch back in 2011 where Bianca and Yves had done a great explainer of what is wrong with the ‘automobile industrial complex’ and how it has detrimentally shaped North America over the last 75 years, and Im already a convert and full believer of the arguments put forward: car culture is completely destroying us and the planet, so I hadn’t been feeling the urge to actually read the book until now. It is exceptionally well written with Mugyenyi doing an excellent job of layering her facts with first person narrative storytelling. It is so well researched. From the links of the military to the tar sands to health issues to alienation and urban sprawl to propaganda and manipulation within the education system to all the subsidies given to legal manipulating, this book covers it all vis a vis the auto industry and does it in an engaging and accessible way. Highly recommend.

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book-another should be in the classrooms book! It actually has a co-author not shown. her name is Bianca Mugyenyi,born Ugandan but a traveller and bianca narrates the book. She and her partner Yves travel USA cities and rate them as to their walking status.They also point out how our car culture has evolved and is kept alive by giant corps although its degradation of our earth is irrefutable.Bianca also give facts and figures on the cost of maintaining an auto culture as opposed to a good public transit system and how much of the public purse goes to the the auto industry's needs eat the expense of public transport. There is much more in this little book and although it made me feel a bit of anger it gave me hope as well.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars Against Cars!

I loved this book because I'm really tired of driving and being dependent upon cars in sprawling cities. The author provides insight into the detrimental effects of cars, urban sprawl, advertising, and so on. Also, Yves's own personal experiences traveling throughout USA car-less are presented as well. Both parts are interesting to read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read, front to back.

It's not hard to be anti capitalist and anti vehicle in this modern political climate, but there just so much modern history even a well intentioned person simply isn't aware of.

Every page was full of so much detail of how the automotive industry has wrapped its tendrils around every facet of our daily lives, and moved society away from clean, sustainable, safe, beneficial solutions for the better part of the century. It is written in an easy to read and compelling fact-based yet humorous style.

I have learned so much from this book. While none surprising and even expected, so many of the chapters lifted wool from my eyes.

Understanding life in 21st century America requires understanding the immense control auto has over our politics, our city design, our schools and education, and our day to day life in every way.

If you've ever wondered how life got the way it is, I recommend reading this book to break the myths and discover the real story of capitalism and where we've ended up today.

And while the first segment of this book does go pretty hard with (eye opening) information, it can get pretty heavy at times. The second part of the book comes just in time and gives just as enlightening solutions to city planning and becoming Car Free that are equally illuminating.

I recommend this book to anyone.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why I read stuff like this is beyond me - but I did and I do and this little book is a scathing analysis of the industrial-automotive complex. There was nothing that I did not already know, but it helps to reread books like this. An interesting story: the two authors, carless I might add, traveled to major metro areas around the country and discussed their adventures navigating a landscape that is built for the private car. We are addicted to oil because we are addicted to the private automobile - there is nothing else to say and is the result of our continued belief in capitalism and corporatism and consumerism. There is a better way - probably not in my lifetime!

[Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

"an entertaining, fact-filled anthropological tour of the land of Homo Automotivis and the first all-out ecological critique of the American automobile addiction"