Selected Books and Films on Wal-Mart
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The Wal-Mart Effect : How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works--and How It's Transforming the American Economy by Charles Fishman (2006). Fishman provides original research and a thorough, balanced analysis that will discomfort both Wal-Mart's backers and foes.
Articles like this and this preview the book's content and quality.
In Sam We Trust by Bob Ortega (1999)Then-Wall Street Journal reporter Ortega wrote this definitive biography of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. It's extensively researched, well-written and a hefty 413 pages (out of print, but readily available).
Wal-Mart: the Face of Twenty-First Century Capitalism Edited by Nelson Lichtenstein (2005).
This title's twelve chapters, each by different authors, are based on papers submitted conference at UCLA. 
Up Against the Wal-Marts: How Your Business Can Prosper in the Shadow of the Giants by Don Taylor and Jeanne Smalling Archer (1994).
An excellent and relatively timeless resource for business owners in all fields. Provides ideas to help independent business owners compete successfully against chains.
Anti-WalMart Books
The Bully of Bentonville by Anthony Bianco (2006)
Not yet reviewed. The writer is a reporter for Business Week Magazine.
Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart by Al Norman (1999)
Though the book is geared toward folks working to stop individual big box stores, there's good, broadly applicable
organizing information as well.
Also by Al Norman: The Case Against Wal-Mart (2004).
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich (2002).
Not reviewed. The author goes undercover as a Wal-Mart employee
and reports on her experiences. Also available as an audio book
Selling Women Short by Liza Featherstone (2004)
Not reviewed. Featherstone covers the pending women's class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart for alleged illegal discrimination in pay and promotion.
The United States of Wal-Mart (2005) by John Dicker.
Not yet reviewed.
Pro-WalMart Books
The Wal-Mart Way: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company by
Don Soderquist (2005).Not reviewed.
The Wal-Mart Revolution: How Big-Box Stores Benefit Consumers, Workers, and the Economy By Richard Vedder, Wendell Cox (2006). Not reviewed.
Documentary Films
Talking to the Wall by Steve Alves (2004, 57 min.) An engaging film that profiles a fight against Wal-Mart in a single Massachusetts community, but also provides interesting history, such as an overview of the U.S. anti-chain store movement of the 1920s and 30s.
Independent America (2005, 81 min)
by Hanson Hosein and Heather
Hughes. These two journalists entertain as well as inform as they document their travels across the U.S. investigating battles between "mom and pop" and corporate chains (including Wal-Mart). Includes interview with ReclaimDemocracy.org's founder. 
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005, 97 min)This Robert Greenwald film provides a compelling case against Wal-Mart, especially when interviewing former executives. We published this discussion guide to help lead folks from critiquing one corporation to understanding the structural problems Wal-Mart exemplifies.
Frontline: Is Wal-Mart Good for America? (2004).An informative PBS special that covers many topics, with a focus on Wal-Mart's use of overseas "sweatshops."
Why Wal*Mart Works and Why that Makes Some People Crazy! (2005, 72 min).
While we welcome opposing viewpoints, this film is unlikely to persuade anyone not already firmly pro-Wal-Mart.
UCLA Conference on Wal-Mart (2005, 6 hrs)
This DVD collects six hours of panel discussions from a 2005 conference that represented a wide range of viewpoints. Not yet reviewed.
For more book titles on related issues of independent business, community development, and planning, see our Recommended Resources page.
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