Review of Intergenerational Theft
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Michaela Vancura
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Review of Intergenerational Theft
[Following is a volunteer review of "Intergenerational Theft" by Daniel Harrison.]
The uncomfortable book "Intergenerational Theft" by Daniel Anthony Harrison requires attention because its message matters to anyone who struggles in the UK economy. Harrison starts without any verbal reservation in the first lines of his work. From the start, Harrison declares that "The mass media, most politicians and (almost all) baby boomers are lying to you." The author delivers an aggressive push into an argument that opposes all conventional understanding about intergenerational progress.
The author has arranged the material with great precision. The "Introduction" section provides an immediate deep dive into the extreme challenges younger people face through data presentation in tables like "Table 1.1 Unprecedented Challenges Facing Young People." I agreed when he raised points such as "Still living with your parents?" and "Cannot afford to move out or rent or even dream of buying a home?" because these statements accurately describe the circumstances of numerous individuals, including myself.
In the following section, Harrison examines "The Intergenerational Social Contract" to show how this implicit generational arrangement has started falling apart. The visualization in Figure 2.1 presents to the reader a representation of tax, public services, and welfare spending over a person’s lifetime, which proved highly influential. The diagram exposed the fundamental problem that forms the basis of his argument about theft.
The book now turns to "Ponzi Property," which became the most painful portion for me to read. Through detailed comparisons like "Table 3.1 Comparison Of Baby Boomer Vs. Younger Person Overall Lifetime Housing Costs 1982 Vs. 2022," Harrison shows the huge rise in costs from 1982 to 2022. When Harrison showed the housing cost difference between 1982 baby boomers and 2022 young people adjusted for inflation, it became a powerful demonstration. Figures in "Table 3.5 Total Lifetime Housing Costs for a Young Person Renting & Then Buying a House in 2022" demonstrate that housing expenses have increased by three times during one generation. This part of the book made me stop worrying about property ownership because it validated my concerns through impartial information.
Each subsequent chapter adds new proofs to the main conclusion by exploring topics such as Ponzi Pensions, National Debt, State Asset Privatization, Student Fee-Based Higher Education Privatization, PFI Programs, and North Sea Oil & Gas Resources. The book uses official statistics from ONS and parliament to present its evidence in visual format, making the information more credible and easier to understand. The final section of the book offers solutions and possible outcomes while responding to the concerns that baby boomers will predictably express.
The directness of Harrison's book stands out as its main characteristic. He delivers his messages in a straightforward manner without adding any sweeteners. His linguistic approach stands strong and pointed, although it could offend certain readers because of the serious nature of the topic.
The book shows both positives and weaknesses in its approach. A high number of data listings and tables can become too complex for non-economically trained readers to grasp easily. Although the book requires data to support its claims, the author could have organized some sections to make the book easier to read. The author's focus on numbers as evidence supports their arguments well, but additional human storytelling would make the statistics more relatable. While personal stories appear in the preface, adding more personal examples throughout would make the problem easier to grasp for readers.
The meticulous research in the book stands as its most significant positive point. The extensive data collection, together with tables and trustworthy references, significantly supports the arguments Harrison presents in his work. The systematic approach of this book to discuss various aspects of intergenerational theft demonstrates excellence in its structure. This book provides more than random complaints because it develops its points through precise logical structures. The glossary at the end helps readers understand economic and financial terms they might not be familiar with. The section dedicated to "Predictable Responses from Baby Boomers" gave me valuable new understanding about this generation. Through anticipated counterargument discussion, Harrison makes his argument stronger and pushes readers to question their personal beliefs about intergenerational theft.
The high level of editing makes this book stand out while boosting its professional quality and reliability. The rating I give to "Intergenerational Theft" stands at 5 out of 5 stars. The book delivers powerful, research-backed content that highlights an essential matter of our time. While data density makes the book occasionally difficult to read, it does not outweigh the critical importance of the book.
The book holds immense value for economists, policymakers, and all those who want to comprehend the UK economic system more deeply. Reading this book presents a difficult yet essential task that demands you face avoided realities while examining the extensive consequences of generational unfairness.
******
Intergenerational Theft
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The uncomfortable book "Intergenerational Theft" by Daniel Anthony Harrison requires attention because its message matters to anyone who struggles in the UK economy. Harrison starts without any verbal reservation in the first lines of his work. From the start, Harrison declares that "The mass media, most politicians and (almost all) baby boomers are lying to you." The author delivers an aggressive push into an argument that opposes all conventional understanding about intergenerational progress.
The author has arranged the material with great precision. The "Introduction" section provides an immediate deep dive into the extreme challenges younger people face through data presentation in tables like "Table 1.1 Unprecedented Challenges Facing Young People." I agreed when he raised points such as "Still living with your parents?" and "Cannot afford to move out or rent or even dream of buying a home?" because these statements accurately describe the circumstances of numerous individuals, including myself.
In the following section, Harrison examines "The Intergenerational Social Contract" to show how this implicit generational arrangement has started falling apart. The visualization in Figure 2.1 presents to the reader a representation of tax, public services, and welfare spending over a person’s lifetime, which proved highly influential. The diagram exposed the fundamental problem that forms the basis of his argument about theft.
The book now turns to "Ponzi Property," which became the most painful portion for me to read. Through detailed comparisons like "Table 3.1 Comparison Of Baby Boomer Vs. Younger Person Overall Lifetime Housing Costs 1982 Vs. 2022," Harrison shows the huge rise in costs from 1982 to 2022. When Harrison showed the housing cost difference between 1982 baby boomers and 2022 young people adjusted for inflation, it became a powerful demonstration. Figures in "Table 3.5 Total Lifetime Housing Costs for a Young Person Renting & Then Buying a House in 2022" demonstrate that housing expenses have increased by three times during one generation. This part of the book made me stop worrying about property ownership because it validated my concerns through impartial information.
Each subsequent chapter adds new proofs to the main conclusion by exploring topics such as Ponzi Pensions, National Debt, State Asset Privatization, Student Fee-Based Higher Education Privatization, PFI Programs, and North Sea Oil & Gas Resources. The book uses official statistics from ONS and parliament to present its evidence in visual format, making the information more credible and easier to understand. The final section of the book offers solutions and possible outcomes while responding to the concerns that baby boomers will predictably express.
The directness of Harrison's book stands out as its main characteristic. He delivers his messages in a straightforward manner without adding any sweeteners. His linguistic approach stands strong and pointed, although it could offend certain readers because of the serious nature of the topic.
The book shows both positives and weaknesses in its approach. A high number of data listings and tables can become too complex for non-economically trained readers to grasp easily. Although the book requires data to support its claims, the author could have organized some sections to make the book easier to read. The author's focus on numbers as evidence supports their arguments well, but additional human storytelling would make the statistics more relatable. While personal stories appear in the preface, adding more personal examples throughout would make the problem easier to grasp for readers.
The meticulous research in the book stands as its most significant positive point. The extensive data collection, together with tables and trustworthy references, significantly supports the arguments Harrison presents in his work. The systematic approach of this book to discuss various aspects of intergenerational theft demonstrates excellence in its structure. This book provides more than random complaints because it develops its points through precise logical structures. The glossary at the end helps readers understand economic and financial terms they might not be familiar with. The section dedicated to "Predictable Responses from Baby Boomers" gave me valuable new understanding about this generation. Through anticipated counterargument discussion, Harrison makes his argument stronger and pushes readers to question their personal beliefs about intergenerational theft.
The high level of editing makes this book stand out while boosting its professional quality and reliability. The rating I give to "Intergenerational Theft" stands at 5 out of 5 stars. The book delivers powerful, research-backed content that highlights an essential matter of our time. While data density makes the book occasionally difficult to read, it does not outweigh the critical importance of the book.
The book holds immense value for economists, policymakers, and all those who want to comprehend the UK economic system more deeply. Reading this book presents a difficult yet essential task that demands you face avoided realities while examining the extensive consequences of generational unfairness.
******
Intergenerational Theft
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Shaking Up the World by James D. Paulk Jr.
