I spent quite a bit of time talking with Kelsey before reading his book. He is very sincere. After reading the book, I found I was much more cognizant of where my clothing was coming from. While I do not know how to solve the problems confronted by the underpaid workers who make my clothing, I now see them as real people. They are not just mindless beings doing what none of us would do. They are real people trying to make things better for their children just as we do. Thanks so much, Kelsey, for giving these people a face.
As to the book, it was easy to read, amusing at times, and sad at others. I liked the informal language of the book. It was very straight forward in what it was trying to get across. It was not a dissertation of facts. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who thinks we are not a part of the global market.
I read this book for a sociology class and it really made me aware of so many things. Kelsey not only presents the facts and his observations of his exploration of the garment industry, he does so in an appealing and entertaining way. He inspired me to do a little "tag-checking" of my own and made me think about the places from which my clothes and other manufactured products come. It's a really fascinating read!
An engaging and insightful read
This book is incredible for a number of reasons. If you know anything about the clothing industry, or if you know nothing this will give you some insight into things you never even thought about. The book is engaging; Timmerman's style of writing is casual, thoughtful, and entertaining. His book bridges the gap between laborer and consumer in an engaging manner, touching on his experiences exploring factories as well as multiple interactions directly with the people. Looking at poverty and the labor industry through his eyes encourages readers to re-evaluate their preconceived notions about overseas products and production. It is an easy, smart and interesting read. I highly recommend it.
A journalist travels to Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Honduras, and back to the U.S. to trace the origins of our clothes
Globalization makes it difficult for anyone to know very much about the origin of the products they buy. When journalist and traveler Kelsey Timmerman wanted to know where his clothes came from and who made them, he began a journey that would take him from Honduras to Bangladesh to Cambodia to China and back again. On the way, he discovered as much about people as he did about clothes and globalization. Bouncing between two worlds--that of impoverished garment workers and his own luxurious Western lifestyle--he puts a personal face on the controversial issues of globalization and outsourcing. Whether bowling with workers in Cambodia or riding a roller coaster with workers in Bangladesh, Timmerman bridges the gap between impersonal economic forces and the people most directly affected by them.
based on 22 reviews
