But still it seems no-one will act

Any additional comments?

First off, if I could give 6 stars for Ray Porter's performance I would. He is by far my favorite narrator - his reading of "Ghost in the Wires" was also excellent.

So, is this book a lefty attack on Wall Street and the Well-To-Do and a bleeding heart account of how the Poor are mistreated in this country? You bet yer hind-quarters it is!

But it is NOT just a rehash of political rhetoric and talking points. I found it to be a very valuable juxtaposing of two irreconcilable realities.

The lack of criminal prosecutions for white-collar crimes versus the over prosecution of harmless and sometimes unheard of crimes (holding up pedestrian traffic anyone?).

A purely political book would not call out the Clinton and Obama administrations for poor policy decisions and hyper-politically-sensistive decision making.

A purely political book would not examine arguments from the opposing perspective - perhaps not to the same degree, but counterpoints are raised and generally fairly addressed.

But even if you were to surgically remove the anecdotes that favor the author's positions. Even if you were to toss out the grey areas that are open to debate.

Even then you cannot read/listen to this book and not have to acknowledge that the divide exists, that it is growing, and that to fair minded people it is just plain wrong.

29 people found this helpful

Capitalism and Democracy Collide

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an interesting analysis that highlights the two divergent realities in the US. The way the author contrasts the legal treatment of corporations versus average citizens is unsettling.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The comparisons provided were very insightful. Consider HSBC admitting to aiding the drug cartels and paying less than a years worth of their profit while a citizen is criminally charged then jailed for merely possessing the products of the same cartel. This book gave me insight into the different levels of citizenship in the US the moneyed and the rest. My view of the SEC fraud enforcement strategy is forever jaded when I consider the welfare fraud investigator going through a single mothers underwear drawer accusingly looking for signs of wealth while the banking industry document their misdeeds in the courts with complex language that even the judges cannot often decipher.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

Great inflection at the right moments, kept me interested.

If you could give The Divide a new subtitle, what would it be?

The Power of Money

26 people found this helpful

A Tale of Two Americas

What did you love best about The Divide?

I don't think love is the right word to use. I really appreciate that Matt Taibbi wrote this book to help illuminate the unequal application of the law in this country. Also, it helped me to have a greater understanding of the time leading up to the economic meltdown in 2008.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were several moments - every time Mr Taibbi wrote about the African American men who were unjustly accused of a crime. I guess the one that stands out the most is when the men, riding in a Range Rover owned by one of them, were dragged out the vehicle by police while stopped at a red light. They had done nothing wrong yet it cost them both a year of their lives to get it all straightened out.

The police practice of just grabbing people off the street, throwing them in the back of a van and then taking them to jail was (is) motivated simply by having a quota to fill. It's like they think "oh, we'll just grab anyone we feel like and then sort it out later".

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about the inequality in this country - regardless of their political leanings, The fact that CEO's, Hedge Fund Managers and the like can commit massive fraud and not go to jail, is just wrong! The whole attitude of "too big to jail" is a ridiculous notion. Sadly, since none of these fraudsters were prosecuted and jailed, there was no incentive for the banks and wall street to make any changes. I see another (perhaps even larger) crash coming in the near future. I predict it will happen just before the 2016 elections.

19 people found this helpful

Exposes Harsh Realities of Justice System

Don't expect to walk away from this book feeling great. Taibbi takes you on a journey of corporate cronies who'll never see a jail cell, and compares them to the regulars who get thrown in jail for just about anything a cop feels like putting on the police report. He gives stories that will make you angry at the whole system. There's no political favors in the book either, it's pretty even down the isle.

There are some parts that will completely go over your head and when you're about to say out loud "huh?" The authors says, "Confused yet?" Then he explains it in an easier way.

By the end I was a little fatigued with hearing the contrast between bankers who swindled millions and flew off into the sunset, and regulars who just try and make it through each month with a paycheck.

The narrator Ray Porter is the best in the business, can't go wrong with him.

Overall: This book will make you think twice about police, justice system, and bankers.

13 people found this helpful

Highly worthwile

If you could sum up The Divide in three words, what would they be?

Eye-opening, jaw-dropping, mesmerizing

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

We all are aware of the economic divide in American society today, but this book exposes the differential way our legal system treats the rich and powerful vs. the poor and disenfranchised. Taibii is enough of a journalist that he can paint the broad strokes with amazing statistics, but bring the story to life with personal stories, interviews, and e-mails.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

Very conversational style, brings the story to life. I thought it might be boring, but this book I could not stop listening to. Sometimes the sarcastic tone seems unnecessary.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Comparing US legal system to that in Russia: there might be one set of laws, but they are disproportionately applied. The appalling rate of incarceration among urban blacks. The police state in large cities, such as New York. The locker-room mentality of wall street criminals. The terribly sad fate of so many poor people with no resources to fight injustice. The fact that some public defenders seem to have no understanding or sympathy for those they are assigned to defend.

Any additional comments?

The author has a point of view- if you don't agree with him, you will probably not enjoy this book. I agree 100%, and it was wonderful to hear it so well articulated.

8 people found this helpful

Extremely compelling read

What made the experience of listening to The Divide the most enjoyable?

Ray Porter

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too many to remember

Have you listened to any of Ray Porter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but look forward to seeking him out

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The insanity of how money predisposes people to success or failure in life. To whom and where you are born pre-destines people to a life of misery or comfort. Life for some really isn't fair. It just is.

Any additional comments?

How in the hell did we get this way.

7 people found this helpful

Relevant to anyone who cares about their society

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The stories in this book provoke me. I've recommended this to everyone I seen lately. Before anyone comments on the state of our society, I strongly suggest they read this book. I feel like Neo in the Matrix after he's taken the red pill. Would you rather struggle with reality or continue living in blissful ignorance?

4 people found this helpful

Everyone should be reading this book!

An in depth easy to understand book on the mess this country is in. It should be required reading. Giving it to my kids. We need a change.

18 people found this helpful

A crazy, sensory-indulging safari of information.

What did you love best about The Divide?

The chapters about stop & frisk, immigrants, and welfare were so remarkably cringe-worthy, I had a pit in my stomach by the end of each chapter. On the other hand, the financial sector chapters were so elaborate and juicy, it was fascinating. I really started to examine my own reactions to these vastly different scenarios.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't think I could pick one. They were all so compelling. Prem Watsa might have been my favorite chapter. It had me sitting in front of my house in my car until it was over.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

SOOOO charismatic. And his performance was spot on for this subject matter. If I had read some of the things in this book, I would have read it with a similar reaction.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

absolutely. I was surprised at how engaging it was. I was expecting it to be dry in parts and finance is practically a different language. But Taibbi takes the reader on a.. not so much a roller coaster as it was a safari.. a crazy sensory-indulging safari.

Any additional comments?

It introduced new context into how I perceive both the wealth gap and the justice system. I'm ashamed at how I used to look at people in these situations.

2 people found this helpful

Thought provoking, but overstated

This book really should be read by everyone in the USA. For that matter, it should be read by most in western democracies as a warning. The recent race tensions and questionable police methods now in use in the USA are a direct result of the divide as described in this book.

This work is makes one think. Of course, if you are on the wealthy and conservative side of the fence, you will rail against the ideas put forth here. If, however, you are capable of none-emotive and analytical thought, then you will see there is an issue at play here.

Unfortunately, the evangelical approach the author uses detracts somewhat from his arguments. Nonetheless, where there is smoke, there is fire, and the underlying issues and systemic injustices discussed are indeed valid.

As always, Ray Porter puts in a solid performance. This book is worth a credit.

2 people found this helpful