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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2021

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the final push I needed to stop using Amazon-owned Goodreads. I’ve been using StoryGraph for a few years now, and I think it is an excellent alternative. It even allows you to import your books from Goodreads so you don’t have to start from scratch. If you feel inclined to make the switch, or just make an account to give it a try, feel free to follow me @mdefeo.

[Caroline Moy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completely agree with this message (support local small businesses!) but I didn’t always love the anecdotes and I found it a little repetitive at moments? However, if anyone needs a myriad of reasons to give up Amazon this will definitely convince you. A must listen for anyone trying to be a more ethical consumer (which should be everyone).

Also, learned Goodreads is owned by Amazon 😭😭 but I like sharing my opinion too much!!!!

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already stopped using Amazon for over a year (and I can probably still count on my hands the number of times I used Amazon in my lifetime and definitely never bought a book on it). The consolidation of power is just not worth it to support a predatory business like this.

[Bailey Osweiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick and well-researched read. Tbh I didn't need to be convinced, so not sure how persuasive it is.... but it gave me extra motivation to resist Amazon! Goodreads will probably be the hardest amazon-owned platform for me to let go of :(

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not a secret that Amazon is pretty evil, but specifically Amazon has done a lot of harm in the book business and this book finally got to me to quit Goodreads.


As Danny Caine breaks down, a bookstore is charged $14 for a hardcover (Where The Crawdads Sing is the example), with the unit price at $26. Amazon was selling it for $10. For Caine to compare, he takes a loss. Amazon can take the loss when it makes up profit in other areas such as third party selling or selling user data. 


This also has set up a customer expectation that books should cost less, devaluing books as a whole and putting even the big bad stores at a disadvantage.


This also takes away the personal connection of meeting a bookseller, pursuing their curated selection, getting connected with local community, all that social connection we desperately crave.


Also Amazon has a monopoly on preordering, so sometimes the only place you can pre-order a book is through them before other bookstores have access, which cuts into their losses.


As for books published independently under Amazon, we've seen some good (more writers!), but also bad - as in no monitoring for misinformation (such as COVID) or some Nazi propaganda.


Also have you noticed how hard it is to find information a book that isn't through Amazon or Goodreads? 


Nevermind that Amazon doesn't verify third party products for bootlegs or counterfeits, which can be dangerous when you are using electronics. 


Amazon also employs independent delivery drivers to skirt around paying those drivers properly or to let the union intervene but I want to say Teamsters has been making strides there since the book's publication.


Also did you know that Alexa is always listening because it has to catch you saying something, but ALSO it records snippets of users talking and workers transcribe that data which went into training Alexa to "hear" better. 


The book has several examples, but if comes down for me that I love books and can't support business that destroys it. It's a hard decision for someone to break from Amazon - I get it entirely, and especially for those with disabilities. There is no ethical consumption in capitalism, but I encourage others to seek alternatives when possible

[Stephanie Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly laid out. I recognize the disconnect of reviewing this on an Amazon owned site as I collect my book log here and until I have it fully transferred, I am adding it here for now. It is well thought out and put together, not demeaning to the average user, and inspired me to resist. Book lovers and lovers of thriving communities and all people alike should read this.

[claire]

the irony of me reviewing this on goodreads, which is owned by amazon, is not lost on me. truly think every book lover should read this at some point. what really sticks with me is the sentiment that amazon won't care if you buy a book on amazon, but your local indie bookstore will really care if you buy a book from them instead.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐
I wish there was more detail on the 'how' part but the focus was more on the 'why'. The writing is repetitive and could be better, but it's a very important topic and anyone looking to break from Amazon, no matter how much, should read this book. 

[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. There is an updated version that should be read.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[LCL Lakewood Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Etelka Ziegler-Hazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible read for anybody who wants to learn more about the system !