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Selling the Dream

The Billion-Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans

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Selling the Dream

By: Jane Marie
Narrated by: Jane Marie
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About this listen

 Peabody and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jane Marie expands on her popular podcast The Dream to expose the scourge of multilevel marketing schemes and how they have profited off the evisceration of the American working class.

We’ve all heard of Amway, Mary Kay, Tupperware, and LuLaRoe, but few know the nefarious way they, and countless other multilevel marketing (MLM) companies, prey on desperate Americans struggling to make ends meet.

When factories close, stalwart industries shutter, and blue-collar opportunities evaporate, MLMs are there, ready to pounce on the crumbling American Dream. MLMs thrive in rural areas and on military bases, targeting women with promises of being their own boss and millions of dollars in easy income—even at the risk of their entire life savings. But the vast majority—99.7%—of those who join an MLM make no money or lose money, and wind up stuck with inventory they can’t sell to recoup their losses.

Selling the Dream “is an urgent and riveting exposé” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) that reveals how these companies—often owned by political and corporate elites, such as the DeVos and the Van Andel families—have made a windfall in profit off of the desperation of the American working class. Business Ethics Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions Gender Studies Social Classes & Economic Disparity Social Sciences Sociology True Crime Workplace & Organisational Behavior Dream Marketing

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Critic reviews

“What a strange and insidious world Jane has chosen to explore and share with us, one that is hiding around every corner of American life.” (Susan Orlean, New York Times bestselling author of The Library Book)
“So, my former intern wrote a book. You're looking at it. I knew nothing about this world and loved learning about it from Jane.” (Ira Glass, host and producer of This American Life)
“Charting the dark underbelly of multilevel marketing isn’t for the faint of heart, but in Jane’s capable hands we’re along for a wild ride. In Selling the Dream her big heart and clear-eyed reporting are on full display.” (W. Kamau Bell, author of The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell)
“[A] piercing debut investigation into the pyramid schemes underlying such well-known American brands as Amway, Avon, and Mary Kay…[Selling the Dream] is an urgent and riveting exposé of the fraudulent tactics behind direct sales organizations.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
“Marie offers a biting exposé of multilevel marketing schemes (MLMs), triangular business structures that exploit people hoping to realize riches and success....Eye-opening reporting on a prolific scam.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“[A] breezy, pulls-no-punches deep dive into the world of pyramid schemes—oops, ‘multilevel marketing opportunities’…. Firing off her sassy asides, Marie’s blunt honesty will attract readers of Amanda Montell’s Cultish and Emily Lynn Paulson’s Hey, Hun.” (Booklist)
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have really enjoyed the podcast and this book goes into much more depth about how mlms have grown up alongside the American dream. Its a fascinating look at the history and an important anti mlm story

more independent than the podcast

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I really enjoyed The Dream podcast and this is a great companion. It goes into lots of detail answering questions like how is legal abd does anyone make money. A very easy listen.

Fascinating insight

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It's an excellent book on the cultish and manipulative world of MLM scams. This book also discusses how much influence money can buy to dismiss any legitimate criticism of this hawkish industry. I highly recommend the book to everyone to stay informed and protect themselves from these MLM scams. This book will give you the knowledge to recognise their manipulative sales tactics and deceptive language, empowering you to make informed decisions, i.e. to run away from them.

Brilliant Anti-MLM Book

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I really liked how much the book went into detail with the history and beginnings of MLM’s

A deep dive into the bonkers world of MLM’s

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