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The Cost of Free Shipping: Amazon in the Global Economy
Winner of the United Association for Labor Education Book Award 2021, this is essential reading for everyone who wants to understand the role of Amazon in our economy and society. With Amazon, supply-chain, and unionization in the news, it is both timely and incredibly informative.
Amazon is the most powerful corporation on the planet and its CEO, Jeff Bezos, has become one of the richest individuals in history, and one of the few people to profit from a global pandemic. Its dominance has reshaped the global economy we live in the age of “Amazon Capitalism.”
“One-click” instant consumerism and its immense variety of products has made Amazon a worldwide household name, with over 60% of US households subscribing to Amazon Prime. In turn, these subscribers are surveilled by the corporation. Amazon is also one of the world's largest logistics companies, resulting in weakened unions and lowered labor standards.
The company has also become the largest provider of cloud-computing services and home surveillance systems, not to mention the ubiquitous Alexa.
With cutting-edge analyses, this book looks at the many dark facets of the corporation, including automation, surveillance, tech work, workers' struggles, algorithmic challenges, the disruption of local democracy and much more. The Cost of Free Shipping shows how Amazon represents a fundamental shift in global capitalism that we should name, interrogate, and be primed to resist.
Amazon is the most powerful corporation on the planet and its CEO, Jeff Bezos, has become one of the richest individuals in history, and one of the few people to profit from a global pandemic. Its dominance has reshaped the global economy we live in the age of “Amazon Capitalism.”
“One-click” instant consumerism and its immense variety of products has made Amazon a worldwide household name, with over 60% of US households subscribing to Amazon Prime. In turn, these subscribers are surveilled by the corporation. Amazon is also one of the world's largest logistics companies, resulting in weakened unions and lowered labor standards.
The company has also become the largest provider of cloud-computing services and home surveillance systems, not to mention the ubiquitous Alexa.
With cutting-edge analyses, this book looks at the many dark facets of the corporation, including automation, surveillance, tech work, workers' struggles, algorithmic challenges, the disruption of local democracy and much more. The Cost of Free Shipping shows how Amazon represents a fundamental shift in global capitalism that we should name, interrogate, and be primed to resist.
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2020
9 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 16, 2021
'The Cost of Free Shipping: Amazon in the Global Economy' is a collection of critical essays into the phenomenon that authors call Amazon capitalism. Amazon's growth, especially in the time of the pandemic, has been unprecedented in modern history. Started in 1994 as an online bookstore, it steadily expanded further into new areas of retail and logistics. The business model that Amazon uses is not new: maximize profits, minimize costs - yet, the scale of its reach is exceptional. Amazon exploits surveillance systems to gather information about its workforce and customers. It invests heavily in the automation of its warehouses. It provides cloud and banking services for business customers such as Bloomberg and Moody. Such giants like 3M, Airbnb, and McDonald's use Amazon as a third-party provider of web-housing services. It closely works with U.S.Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), U.S.Military, and Immigration Control and Enforcement (ICE). And above all, Amazon promotes consumerism by buy-in-one-click buttons and recommendations based on previous purchases.
The book contains three parts. Part I explores the rise and overall characteristics of Amazon. The second part focuses on the Amazonification of the present and future workforce in the United States and Europe. In the last part, researchers dive into the negative influences of Amazon on climate change, traffic congestion, etc., and give examples of communities' and workers' resistance to Amazon's power.
The level of expertise in the essays varies depending on a particular researcher. Although the overall impression of the book's style is positive, two articles written by students (my assumption) look unequal in quality and material coverage.
My main concern with the book lies in its one-sided look at the problem. Strictly speaking, a reader can stop reading after the introduction and lose nothing in general knowledge. Editors decided to outline Amazon's policies on the first ten pages. Three chapters are the mere concretization of the initial claims. But, as for facts and numbers, the book is a valuable source of information. I have never encountered such a detailed description of e-commerce as the whole and Amazon in particular. Thus, I'd recommend the book to other readers.
The book contains three parts. Part I explores the rise and overall characteristics of Amazon. The second part focuses on the Amazonification of the present and future workforce in the United States and Europe. In the last part, researchers dive into the negative influences of Amazon on climate change, traffic congestion, etc., and give examples of communities' and workers' resistance to Amazon's power.
The level of expertise in the essays varies depending on a particular researcher. Although the overall impression of the book's style is positive, two articles written by students (my assumption) look unequal in quality and material coverage.
My main concern with the book lies in its one-sided look at the problem. Strictly speaking, a reader can stop reading after the introduction and lose nothing in general knowledge. Editors decided to outline Amazon's policies on the first ten pages. Three chapters are the mere concretization of the initial claims. But, as for facts and numbers, the book is a valuable source of information. I have never encountered such a detailed description of e-commerce as the whole and Amazon in particular. Thus, I'd recommend the book to other readers.
September 21, 2020
This book felt more relevant than ever given the ascent of Amazon to market dominance amid the larger rapid expansion of global corporate capitalist power today. The book had an excellent balance between analyses of the development of Amazon as a corporate institution, and its strategies of control and accumulation; its role in capturing economic areas like e-commerce and logistics; and the way that workers resist exploitation in a variety of ways. I also appreciated that the book had a global scope, focusing not only on the United States but about Amazon operations -- and workers' class struggles -- around the world. It also integrated analysis of race, gender and other forms of inequality, which I felt enhanced the analysis. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Amazon, contemporary global capitalism, workers' struggles, and the logistics and e-commerce sectors.
August 18, 2021
A collection of critical essays examining the Amazon business empire and resistance against them. Well-written and insightful, considering that we are currently witnessing more tech company workers banding together to demand justice.
Amazon is not the only problematic company , but they get scrutinised the most due to their scope of operation and significant social impact. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic also strengthens their importance as people become increasingly reliant on digital services. Despite many people losing jobs and have their life quality reduced, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos saw his fortune soared .
Yet, the money didn't trickle down to the company's workers. They continue to do grueling work under constant surveillance, suffocating scoring system, and inhuman work environment . It got worse as the coronavirus add a new risk of death and infecting family members . Even though Bezos got significantly richer, he didn't use the money to help workers, but to boost his ego . Insensitive to the workers' terrible condition, he said during a press conference for his rocket launch:
This statement reflects the nature of Amazon as a company: sacrificing workers for its benefit. The contributors, academic researchers and the Amazon workers union, meticulously dissected how the company screwed workers and society with their power and technology. They also observed and analysed how workers retaliated, what worked and not, along with the broader social context.
I think reviewing a book criticising Amazon on Goodreads is pretty ironic. But this book is a good read for tech company workers, not limited to Amazon. It illuminates the details in organising a strike. As for customers, it tells us what happens behind our comfortable shopping experience.
Amazon is not the only problematic company , but they get scrutinised the most due to their scope of operation and significant social impact. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic also strengthens their importance as people become increasingly reliant on digital services. Despite many people losing jobs and have their life quality reduced, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos saw his fortune soared .
Yet, the money didn't trickle down to the company's workers. They continue to do grueling work under constant surveillance, suffocating scoring system, and inhuman work environment . It got worse as the coronavirus add a new risk of death and infecting family members . Even though Bezos got significantly richer, he didn't use the money to help workers, but to boost his ego . Insensitive to the workers' terrible condition, he said during a press conference for his rocket launch:
“I … want to thank every Amazon employee, and every Amazon customer because you guys paid for all this,” Bezos said during a press conference after his trip. “So seriously, for every Amazon customer out there, and every Amazon employee, thank you from the bottom of my heart, very much. It’s very appreciated.”
This statement reflects the nature of Amazon as a company: sacrificing workers for its benefit. The contributors, academic researchers and the Amazon workers union, meticulously dissected how the company screwed workers and society with their power and technology. They also observed and analysed how workers retaliated, what worked and not, along with the broader social context.
I think reviewing a book criticising Amazon on Goodreads is pretty ironic. But this book is a good read for tech company workers, not limited to Amazon. It illuminates the details in organising a strike. As for customers, it tells us what happens behind our comfortable shopping experience.
September 21, 2020
The Cost of Free Shipping: Amazon in the Global Economy, published by Pluto Press (London) is an excellent book for classes on globalization, work, politics, the economy, and social movements. The book contains some really interesting chapters. What's really notable to me is that the book isn't just written by academics, as there are chapters from Amazon warehouse workers themselves, labor organizers, and community activists. I've never seen a book like this before. This is a true "public sociology" book and I enjoyed it very much and learned it very. The arguments are clear, engaging, but accessible at the same time. The book's editors, Jake Alimahomed-Wilson and Ellen Reese, both sociologists from Los Angeles, did an outstanding job in curating this important volume. Workers in Amazon's huge warehouses, to the low paid delivery drivers, every movement of these workers is watched by Amazon.
I teach sociology at a community college on the US west coast and plan on using the e-book version for my sociology class. I had no idea of Amazon's impact on countries and workers around the world. Amazon's impact on the future of work, labor, and the global economy is frightening. A fascinating read!
-E.M.
I teach sociology at a community college on the US west coast and plan on using the e-book version for my sociology class. I had no idea of Amazon's impact on countries and workers around the world. Amazon's impact on the future of work, labor, and the global economy is frightening. A fascinating read!
-E.M.
October 16, 2025
3.75 - I went into this hoping for more discussion around Amazon and how they have impacted the global economy through their business model and I didn't get that. What we do get is still pretty fascinating but I think the books title is a little misleading. This book covers off the Amazon business, who they sell to, and some of its subsidiaries, and it also goes into how workers are treated and their attempts at unionizing or striking. This book makes you really not like Amazon as a company and you feel bad for their employees and how they are treated. Plus it opens up your eyes to how they are storing and selling your data to various places, and how they push for facial recognition to be used by government bodies.
It's really wild to think that Amazon has paid less than 3% of it's federal income tax leading to lost tax revenue that forces governments to turn to warehousing and logistics (Amazon) to try and supplement their local economy. Especially considering the impact Amazon has had on many small local businesses. Amazon also bends state and municipal governments by telling them they need Amazon, not the other way around.
Amazon's model of capitalism highlights what's wrong with most capitalist societies, and the problems workers of today experience: exploitation/dehumanization of workers, tax avoidance, corporate welfare handouts, wealth inequality, racism/sexism, consumer culture, surveillance and privacy issues, neoliberalism, ecological impacts, and monopolistic practices.
It's really wild to think that Amazon has paid less than 3% of it's federal income tax leading to lost tax revenue that forces governments to turn to warehousing and logistics (Amazon) to try and supplement their local economy. Especially considering the impact Amazon has had on many small local businesses. Amazon also bends state and municipal governments by telling them they need Amazon, not the other way around.
Amazon's model of capitalism highlights what's wrong with most capitalist societies, and the problems workers of today experience: exploitation/dehumanization of workers, tax avoidance, corporate welfare handouts, wealth inequality, racism/sexism, consumer culture, surveillance and privacy issues, neoliberalism, ecological impacts, and monopolistic practices.
December 9, 2023
Fantastic introduction to the role Amazon has played in revolutionizing global logistics and the devastating effects it has had on the environment, workers, and consumers. Used it extensively for my thesis.
June 13, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/holby-clearw...
https://numberoneboats.com/holby-clea...
https://theboatyacht.com/boothbay-exp...
https://numberoneboats.com/boothbay-e...
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/holby-clearw...
https://numberoneboats.com/holby-clea...
https://theboatyacht.com/boothbay-exp...
https://numberoneboats.com/boothbay-e...
August 28, 2021
SI RAKSASA DAN ALGORITMANYA
Amazon dengan berbagai model ekspansi yang seakan-akan tak pernah ada habisnya, menjadikan raksasa lokapasar hanya dimainkan oleh satu perusahaan. Amazon berintensi untuk mengendalikan semua aspek rantai pasokan dan mempengaruhi kehidupan dari berbagai kebutuhan. Apa yang dilakukan oleh Amazon? Ia mengadaptasi berbagai pemain yang ada, menciptakan inovasi, dan mendapatkan keuntungan yang lebih besar dari para pekerja. Dalam beberapa kasus, Amazon membuat lini bisnisnya menjadi full automated.
Amazon mengaplikasikan algorithmic bureaucracy atau algorithmic-assisted management. Hal ini diterapkan dalam sistem produktivitas dan kedisiplinan pekerja di bagian manajemen gudang, manajemen distribusi, dan manajemen pengiriman barang. Di satu sisi, ini merupakan temuan besar. Namun, di sisi lain, hal ini memperburuk kondisi pekerjanya. Jika algoritma diposisikan sebagai otoritas tertinggi, maka kepuasan pelanggan adalah tujuan akhir Amazon. Eksploitas pekerja merebak. Ketidakpuasan pekerja jelas terjadi di mana-mana. Padahal,
Buku ini mendorong pembaca untuk mengkritisi dampak Amazon terhadap pekerja dan lingkungan. Kerugian lingkungan dan jaringan distribusi Amazon bukanlah sesuatu yang bisa dianggap sepele. Ada lalu lintas truk, kabut asap, upah rendah, dan asuransi pekerja yang justru menyebabkan bencana.
Buku ini juga dicocok bagi pebisnis yang ingin membangun kekuatan besar bagi pekerjanya. Di dalam buku terdapat contoh detil bagaimana para pekerja membuat kemajuan besar dalam struktur Amazon.
Amazon dengan berbagai model ekspansi yang seakan-akan tak pernah ada habisnya, menjadikan raksasa lokapasar hanya dimainkan oleh satu perusahaan. Amazon berintensi untuk mengendalikan semua aspek rantai pasokan dan mempengaruhi kehidupan dari berbagai kebutuhan. Apa yang dilakukan oleh Amazon? Ia mengadaptasi berbagai pemain yang ada, menciptakan inovasi, dan mendapatkan keuntungan yang lebih besar dari para pekerja. Dalam beberapa kasus, Amazon membuat lini bisnisnya menjadi full automated.
Amazon mengaplikasikan algorithmic bureaucracy atau algorithmic-assisted management. Hal ini diterapkan dalam sistem produktivitas dan kedisiplinan pekerja di bagian manajemen gudang, manajemen distribusi, dan manajemen pengiriman barang. Di satu sisi, ini merupakan temuan besar. Namun, di sisi lain, hal ini memperburuk kondisi pekerjanya. Jika algoritma diposisikan sebagai otoritas tertinggi, maka kepuasan pelanggan adalah tujuan akhir Amazon. Eksploitas pekerja merebak. Ketidakpuasan pekerja jelas terjadi di mana-mana. Padahal,
Buku ini mendorong pembaca untuk mengkritisi dampak Amazon terhadap pekerja dan lingkungan. Kerugian lingkungan dan jaringan distribusi Amazon bukanlah sesuatu yang bisa dianggap sepele. Ada lalu lintas truk, kabut asap, upah rendah, dan asuransi pekerja yang justru menyebabkan bencana.
Buku ini juga dicocok bagi pebisnis yang ingin membangun kekuatan besar bagi pekerjanya. Di dalam buku terdapat contoh detil bagaimana para pekerja membuat kemajuan besar dalam struktur Amazon.
November 12, 2020
The god of these people is crying, and you can make a difference by moving into mudhuts and digging for roots, local roots, just like in the good old times. You would die at 14 of exposure, or at 6 of hunger, and you would have escaped the dreadful diabetes, cancer and all those dreadful diseases that kill you in your 60s.
January 13, 2026
The entire book is devoted to unionise Amazon. The labor practices of Amazon has a lot of issues, problems and concerns. Loads of good intel but a bit one dimensional.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews