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Advantages: Some eye-opening statistics; good material for supermarket opponents
Disadvantages: Very one-sided; poorly put together

I was rather amused and surprised to see that Andrew Simm's "Tescopoly: How one shop came out on top and why it matters" can be bought through the Tesco website; the book is a well-researched account of how Tesco has been able to gain such a dominant position in the UK retail sector and the effect that the growth in power of a few retailers combined with a system that allows then to go virtually unchecked has had on our local communities. Early ...
...guilty of some of the accusations he levels against the company though it quickly becomes apparent that Simms finds Tesco particularly abhorrent. It's important to know, however, that Andrew Simms works for a left-wing think tank and is a tireless campaigner on subjects such as global poverty, environmentalism and globalisation. Simms's basic premise is that the increasing dominance of a few companies is bad for both our local communities and the ... Read review

Advantages: Easy read, hard to put down, alternative view from the usual
Disadvantages: Points could summarised better in certain areas

Egotistical, arrogant and ruthless are three words which spring to mind after reading the manner in which Dennis approaches business. The declaration that employees are only useful for two years due to a diminishing rate of productivity shows the hard line approach in which Dennis governs his business. Pride and stubborness are also two unfavourable characteristics which Dennis oozes of throughout the narrration of his life to date. Yet, despite ...
...across as a very astute, intelligent and, at times, likeable character. As the book takes its path the reader becomes drawn into a feeling of sympathy for a man's shallow pursuit of money, irresponsible substance addiction and wasted time in failing to appreciate the more subtle qualities in life. A fascinating read for anyone who wishes to see that sometimes life with vast sums of money is not always a recipe for happiness. ... Read review

Advantages: beauitfully construced in argument and research
Disadvantages: nil

I have worked in the British Mental Health Service for 15 years and I have read many sources on what leads to happiness, what impacts on happiness and ultimately how we can chemically affect happiness, and this is is out there on its own!! Layard and his sources create a book that not only informs the reader on a tangible and readable level, but also offers some sort of hope for policy within a country that is rapidly mimicking the USA's downward ...
...theory and the constant evidence to support this, that we appear to ignore on a daily basis. Layard takes very significant and comprehensive research and presents it in a way that everybody can understand. Every outcome of his points reflect the literature he reviews. No presumtpions are made without substantive evidence. While this could sound overly scientific to the casual reader, it is not. The books strength is, it is VERY READABLE on this, ... Read review

Advantages: Similar to Freakonomics; pretty compelling arguments to go against the prevailing chain of thought
Disadvantages: Not as good as Freakonomics

Got this book for more than a year now. Reason I picked this book up was because I had thoroughly enjoyed reading "Freakonomics" and was looking for a similar book that will invoke a few "a-ha" moments for me. First thing that caught my eye was obviously the title of the book. The very first chapter of the book is dedicated to elucidating the statement that "more sex is safer sex" - that we should have more casual sex to bring down the spread of ...
...he brings forth more arguments to justify some pretty unconventional view on every-day things. For example, in one of the earlier chapters, he goes on to justify how being a miser equates to being generous to all that is around him. Also, how we need more people in order to solve our current problem of over-population. The list goes on. All of which are argued using logic and unconventional & interesting perspectives on the issues. At the end of ... Read review

Advantages: Simple concepts, well desrcribed, inexpensive to purchase
Disadvantages: Not for the more advanced investor

...diary to help you see what areas you are splurging on, he talks here about discovering your triggers. What makes you spend? For example for me I would say that I nearly always end up spending more than I should on my supermarket shop if I don't take a list with me. By knowing this I can address it, and you can also look at what makes you spend. Alvin suggests tracking your monthly flow of money by creating simple bar graphs too. For example are you ...
...which you then cannot think what you spend on? Do you spend more at the weekends on treats? All of these insights can help you address and control your spending. Seasonal splurges are another topic he covers. Alvin explains how although he was raised in a poor family, his mother always made sure he and his siblings had new school clothes to wear for the new term, and so he associates the Autumn with having new clothes and has to really fight the ... Read review