Jackpot

By: Michael Mechanic

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

A senior editor at Mother Jones dives into the lives of the extremely rich, showing the fascinating, otherworldly realm they inhabit—and the insidious ways this realm harms us all.

Have you ever fantasized about being ridiculously wealthy? Probably. Striking it rich is among the most resilient of American fantasies, surviving war and peace, expansions and recessions, economic meltdowns and global pandemics. We dream of the jackpot, the big exit, the life-altering payday, in whatever form that takes. (Americans spent $81 billion on lottery tickets in 2019, more than the GDPs of most nations.) We would escape “essential” day jobs and cramped living spaces, bury our debts, buy that sweet spread, and bail out struggling friends and relations. But rarely do we follow the fantasy to its conclusion—to ponder the social, psychological, and societal downsides of great affluence and the fact that so few possess it.

What is it actually like to be blessed with riches in an era of plagues, political rancor, and near-Dickensian economic differences? How mind-boggling are the opportunities and access, how problematic the downsides? Does the experience differ depending on whether the money is earned or unearned, where it comes from, and whether you are male or female, white or black? Finally, how does our collective lust for affluence, and our stubborn belief in social mobility, explain how we got to the point where forty percent of Americans have literally no wealth at all?

These are all questions that Jackpot sets out to explore. The result of deep reporting and dozens of interviews with fortunate citizens—company founders and executives, superstar coders, investors, inheritors, lottery winners, lobbyists, lawmakers, academics, sports agents, wealth and philanthropy professionals, concierges, luxury realtors, Bentley dealers, and even a woman who trains billionaires’ nannies in physical combat, Jackpot is a compassionate, character-rich, perversely humorous, and ultimately troubling journey into the American wealth fantasy and where it has taken us.

Defining My Own Discontent

This book was therapy for my soul. It left me we a perspective that I felt but could not define. The separation of of wealth continues on but does not materialize the dream that consumption equates happiness. The false platitudes that drive us need reassessing.

Where do we go from here?

powerful

powerful, powerful, powerful mix of real life historical events, personal stories, and realities that still face Us in the current. this should be taught in schools starting in high school and reinforced in college in every setting public and private. we need a mind shift.

Good!!!

Takes a good look at all things wealth. Some aspects are truly mind boggling. I especially liked the chapters about Black people & Women!!

In depth analysis of how super rich avoid taxes.

I learned a lot about the influence super rich people have with legislators who write tax codes that favor them. Also about how Black people and women have less access to capital. The book also explains how charitable trusts work to white wash the reputations of rich people who engage in cut throat business practices that harm working people. I enjoyed the jaunty, personal tone and style of the book.

Lays bare the real forces at work

Conveys clearly that wealth and power are amplified by certain factors creating advantages to a select few. A worthy listen for affluent parebts who are trying not to spoil or destroy their kids bb zzz