How to Resist Amazon and Why: The Fight for Local Economics, Data Privacy, Fair Labor, Independent Bookstores, and a People-Powered Future!

by Danny Caine

When a company's workers are literally dying on the job, when their business model relies on preying on local businesses and even their own vendors, when their CEO is the richest person in the world while their workers make low wages with impossible quotas... wouldn't you want to resist? Danny Caine, owner of Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas has been an outspoken critic of the seemingly unstoppable Goliath of the bookselling Amazon. In this book, he lays out the case for shifting our personal money and civic investment away from global corporate behemoths and to small, local, independent businesses. Well-researched and lively, his tale covers the history of big box stores, the big political drama of delivery, and the perils of warehouse work. He shows how Amazon's ruthless discount strategies mean authors, publishers, and even Amazon themselves can lose money on every book sold. And he spells out a clear path to resistance, in a world where consumers are struggling to get by. In-depth research is interspersed with charming personal anecdotes from bookstore life, making this a readable, fascinating, essential book for the 2020s.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2022

Reviews

[Jennifer Greenlaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid overview of the many problems with Amazon and the never-ending list of things they are doing that hurt not only small businesses, but also their own employees and any user of Amazon, AWS, etc. It wasn’t a full 5 stars for me, however, since I found the zine to be a bit repetitive and with typos. I also wish there had been more than just one okay-ish chapter about what we can actually do to resist Amazon, especially living in such expensive times. I understand that it is mostly on the government to fix the systemic issues and tax laws in order to limit Amazon’s power, but I wanted to know more about what WE as individuals could do.

[Andrew Razanauskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published by a grassroots group. Purchased from the front display stand at a local bookstore. This book walks the walk, and it talks the talk, too. Artfully researched and written with mainstream publication quality. I think a book has reached legendary status when it gets me to rethink my habits, and Danny Caine does just this. Power to the People!

[Tiffany M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who has a Goodreads account should read this I'm sure my post will be removed as I'm praising this book on GR owned by Amazon.

[Heather Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good suggestions, although a little too in the weeds. Plus I found typos. :(

[ronni c · Rating 4 out of 5]

the irony of reading this book and then opening goodreads is not lost on me. i also have a storygraph account guys. let’s all go there so we can stop using goodreads!! @rronnniii

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have been learning more about Amazon throughout the last year and this was a good, and convincing summary, of everything I have been learning and thinking out. I personally don’t think the benefits of Amazon outweigh the consequences and encourage others to do some thinking on this topic as well. Also very easy and conversational read. Will be deleting Goodreads soon and switching to Fable/Storygraph, it’s super easy to link all Goodreads data history with either or both of these apps.