Mar 18
Review: Fulfillment
★★★
# Collaborations: Thank you Scribe Publications and Alec MacGillis for a Review Copy of ‘Fulfillment’. In exchange, here is my honest review (Pub day: 28 September 2021).
A Summary
An important book that details the corrosive impact of Amazon on individual lives, businesses, and the landscape of USA.
Amazon’s damaging influence on the book industry is an issue close to every book lover’s heart. So when Scribe Publications revealed the release of Fulfillment, I immediately contacted them for a copy.
Amazon was born not from a passion for books, but from a passion for moneymaking, quickly monopolising the industry and pushing out small booksellers, publishers, and distributors. Even platforms like Goodreads and Abebooks were swallowed by the Amazon Empire.
Alec MacGillis details just how pervasive Amazon’s impact is, not just on the book industry but for all industries and all people, producers and consumers alike. It’s infuriating to read — not by any fault of MacGillis but because of the subject matter.
I try to use alternatives to Amazon when I can and this mission was invigorated by this book. When you think about the run-on effects of purchasing from Amazon, it is clear that Amazon’s detriments greatly outweigh its convenience.
Jo’s Recommendation
As this is an issue that affects almost all of us, this is an important book to read. For those looking to venture into non-fiction about economics, but are wary of economic jargon and dense formulae, this is the way to go.
I liked that Fulfillment is easy to read, and an economics book that compassionately details individual stories was refreshing. However, I think it would have been more effective if paired with more statistics and big picture analysis.
You’ll also love…
The Shock Doctrine // Naomi Klein → the book that ignited my fascination for political economy. Although it is detailed and dense, this is a book I recommend to anyone venturing into non-fiction. It is well-researched, well-written, and superbly compelling. The height of investigative journalism.
The Diary of a Bookseller // Shaun Bythell → a much more light-hearted read. This book touches on the difficulties that Amazon has created for local bookshops and is told from the perspective of a grumpy but loveable bookseller, Shaun Bythell.
Cowspiracy (A Documentary) → the rise of the Amazon Empire and our dependence on the meat and dairy industry — most of us know these are problems. Both Fulfillment and Cowspiracy reveal just HOW MUCH of a problem they are.
