The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade (Paperback)

The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade (Paperback)

From Publishers Weekly
During a 1999 protest of the World Trade Organization, Rivoli, an economics professor at Georgetown, looked on as an activist seized the microphone and demanded, “Who made your T-shirt?” Rivoli determined to find out. She interviewed cotton farmers in Texas, factory workers in China, labor champions in the American South and used-clothing vendors in Tanzania. Problems, Rivoli concludes, arise not with the market, but with the suppression of the market. Subsidized farmers, and manufacturers and importers with tax breaks, she argues, succeed because they avoid the risks and competition of unprotected global trade, which in turn forces poorer countries to lower their prices to below subsistence levels in order to compete. Rivoli seems surprised by her own conclusions, and while some chapters lapse into academic prose and tedious descriptions of bureaucratic maneuvering, her writing is at its best when it considers the social dimensions of a global economy, as in chapters on the social networks of African used-clothing entrepreneurs.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
“…this book contains some useful insights into the world of PR’s ‘outrageous stunts’ ” (Management Today, August 2007)

“It brings history and economics in an enjoyable way…” (Financial Times, 21^st September 2005)

“…a fine account of how the countervailing forces of the market and protectionism conflict in combining in a single product…” (Financial Times, 30 July 2005)

“Rarely is a business book so well written that one would gladly stay up all night to finish it…”  (CIO: Chief Information Officer Magazine, June 15, 2005)

“Globalization is a hot-button topic that generates strong feelings along with images of boarded-up, independent businesses in America and exploitative sweatshops overseas. But what exactly is it? In The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy, Georgetown University business professor Pietra Rivoli chronicles the round-the-world odyssey of a T-shirt, from Texas cotton-growers to an African used-clothing bazaar, to reveal how the planetary economy really works.
Along the way, we see how entrepreneurial U.S. farmers team with government-sponsored researchers–and take advantage of subsidies and trade barriers–to dominate world cotton production. Migrant workers from Chinese family farms tell why they regard low-wage jobs in Shanghai sewing factories as golden opportunities. And only in that African used-clothing bazaar do we encounter a truly free market where entrepreneurs–perhaps including some future tycoons of the 21st century–utterly rely on pure business skills and instinct. Whether you feel hurt or helped by globalization, you’ll certainly understand it better after reading this fascinating account.” (Entrepreneur Magazine, May 2005

“…full of memorable characters and vivid scenes…” [and that] “Rivoli excels at making connections.” (Time Magazine, March 28, 2005)

“T-shirts may not have changed the world; but this story is a useful account of how free trade and protection certainly have.” (Financial Times)

“The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy is an excellent piece of work – a thorough, lucid and (best of all) honest examination of how politics and economics intertwine in the real world.” (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

“Engrossing….(Rivoli) goes wherever the t-shirt goes and there are surprises around every corner…full of memorable characters and vivid scenes” (TIME)

“Her nuanced and fair-minded approach is all the more powerful for eschewing the pretense of ideological absolutism, and her telescopic look through a single industry has all the makings of an economics classic.” (New York Times)

“…Succeeds admirably… T-shirts may not have changed the world, but this story is a useful account of how free trade and protectionism certainly have.” (Financial Times)

“…a fascinating exploration of the history, economics and politics of world trade…The Travels of a T-Shirt is a thought-provoking yarn that exhibits the ugly, the bad and the good of globalization, and points to the unintended positive consequences of the clash between the proponents and opponents of free trade.” (Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

“…a readable and evenhanded treatment of the complexities of world trade… As Rivoli repeatedly makes clear, there is absolutely nothing free about free trade except the slogan.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

“…this book contains some useful insights into the world of PR’s ‘outrageous stunts’ ” (Management Today, August 2007)The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade (Paperback)

1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die [ILLUSTRATED]

1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die [ILLUSTRATED]

Of the plethora of adjectives suitable for the tone of this witty reference book, the most relevant is proud; from the outset, Schultz declares her own personal connection to the places visited, titling the introduction, “Rediscovering My Own Backyard.” Divided by region-starting off in New England, the Mid-Atlantic states, the Southeast and the rest of the U.S., then continues into eastern and western Canada-Schultz’s follow-up to the bestselling 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (a global survey) presents grandiose portraits of the two countries’ most popular and patriotic spots. Schultz includes plenty of directions for travel, food and lodging, including costs, though this is no budget guide (see the $75 dinner under the Brooklyn Bridge). Still, what Schultz lacks in cost-efficiency she makes up for in scope; quite literally, there’s something here for everyone: baseball fields, national parks and campgrounds, major malls, expansive historical estates and more. A fine gift, it should also spark spirited party conversation-who’s been where, what to visit next, and which personal favorites didn’t make the cut.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description
It’s a traveler’s life list, a guide, an inspiration, a memory book. Open it to check out where you’ve been, and where you should go next. What to see and what to do and what to show the kids. Where to eat and where to stay. And how to change your life.

Covering the U.S.A. and Canada like never before, here are 1,000 spectacular, compelling, essential, offbeat, utterly unforgettable places. Pristine beaches and national parks, world-class museums and the Corn Palace, mountain resorts, salmon-rich rivers, scenic byways, Chez Panisse and the country’s best taco, lush gardens and Holden Arboretum, mountain biking on the Maah Daah Hey trail, historic mansions, vineyards, hot springs, the Talladega Superspeedway, classic ballparks, and more. Includes more than 150 places of special interest to families, and, for every entry, the nuts and bolts of how and when to visit.

1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die [ILLUSTRATED]

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth (Rough Guide Reference) (Paperback)

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth (Rough Guide Reference) (Paperback)

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth: A Rough Guide to the World with 1000 must-do experiences from around the world, Make the Most of Your Time on Earth is a book that will inspire everyone. Perfect for both the seasoned traveller and the armchair dreamer, it brings you the very best travel experiences – extraordinary landscapes, jaw-dropping architecture, white-knuckle adventures, and the world’s best beaches. From Intrepid travel adventures such as trekking to the source of the Ganges, cycling the Karokoram Highway and hiking Corsica’s GR20, to suggestions for the perfect places to stay- have you ever tried sleeping in a yurt in Inner Mongolia or chilled out at the Icehotel in Sweden? For amazing wildlife why not look for lemurs in Madagascar or go platypus-watching in Australia. Don’t forget the world’s most spectacular festivals including Queen’s Day in Amsterdam, Trinidad carnival and the camel fair in Pushkar. Whether you are tempted by living in an African village or tagging dolphins on the Spanish coast, there’s all manner of ethical travel experiences to keep those feet itching!Make the Most of Your Time on Earth (Rough Guide Reference) (Paperback)

 

The very best things to see or do, and not before you die, but now.

1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

This hefty volume reminds vacationers that hot tourist spots are small percentage of what’s worth seeing out there. A quick sampling: Venice’s Cipriani Hotel; California’s Monterey Peninsula; the Lewis and Clark Trail in Oregon; the Great Wall of China; Robert Louis Stevenson’s home in Western Samoa; and the Alhambra in Andalusia, Spain. Veteran travel guide writer Schultz divides the book geographically, presenting a little less than a page on each location. Each entry lists exactly where to find the spot (e.g. Moorea is located “12 miles/19 km northwest of Tahiti; 10 minutes by air, 1 hour by boat”) and when to go (e.g., if you want to check out The Complete Fly Fisher hotel in Montana, “May and Sept.-Oct. offer productive angling in a solitary setting”). This is an excellent resource for the intrepid traveler.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips (Hardcover)

Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips (Hardcover)

Product Description
No one knows the world like National Geographic—and in this lavish volume, we reveal our picks for the world’s most fabulous journeys, along with helpful information for readers who want to try them out.

Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic’s travel writers, Journeys of a Lifetime spans the globe to highlight the best of the world’s most famous and lesser known sojourns. It presents an incredible diversity of possibilities, from ocean cruises around Antarctica to horse treks in the Andes. Every continent and every possible form of transport is covered.

A timely resource for the burgeoning ranks of active travelers who crave adventurous and far-flung trips, Journeys of a Lifetime provides scores of creative ideas: trekking the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania… mountain biking in Transylvania… driving through the scenic highlands of Scotland… or rolling through the outback on Australia’s famous Ghan train… and dozens of other intriguing options all over the world.

Journeys of a Lifetime also features 22 fun Top 10 lists in all sorts of categories. What are the world’s top 10 elevator rides, bridges to walk across, trolley rides, ancient highways, or underground walking adventures? Readers will love evaluating and debating the selections.

Each chapter showcases stunning photography, full-color maps, evocative text, and expert advice—including how to get there, when to visit, and how to make the most of the journey—all packaged in a luxurious oversize volume to treasure for years to come.

Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips (Hardcover)

Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles/camping equipment

Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Created with health and the environment in mind, these eco-friendly, high-quality stainless steel Klean Kanteen water bottles offer a great alternative to plastic and lined metal containers. Klean Kanteen bottles are constructed from high quality sanitary grade 304 stainless steel which has a low nickel content, an excellent resistance to staining and rust, and will keep your beverages fresh, and sanitary. These reusable bottles are lightweight, easy to clean, durable, and will not react with acidic beverages. The single walled containers can be placed on an open flame or heating surface, but are not recommended as containers for boiling hot liquids as the Kanteen has limited insulating properties.

Durable, sanitary, and non-reactive stainless steel is the material of choice among the food processing, dairy and brewery industries. The sanitary grade 304 stainless steel used in Klean Kanteen bottles also has a low nickel content, further reducing exposure to potentially irritating substances. Easy to clean, the Klean Kanteen water bottles can be put in the dishwasher, or washed by hand with a brush and mild soap.

Klean Kanteens come in sizes to meet the needs of the entire family. The 12 and 18-ounce containers are designed specifically for kids. In bottles designed for small hands, the 12 and 18 ounce bottles are available with sippy cup lid adapters along with the other sports cap options, and weigh just 6 and 8 ounces respectively. Adult sized 27 and 40 ounce Kanteens weigh just 8 and 11 ounces respectively, and are available with a choice polypropylene or steel caps. The openings are large enough to fit ice cubes, and the slim bottle design fits in most cup and bottle holders.

Klean Kanteen water bottles are available with a variety of sports caps made with non-leaching polypropylene #5 or stainless steel. The sport, flat, and loop caps are interchangeable and fit all 12-, 18-, 27-, and 40-ounce stainless steel bottles securely. The Poly Sports Cap has a push release valve allowing you to drink on the go. The Flat Caps, available in polypropylene or stainless steel twist on and off securely. The Loop Caps, available in polypropylene or stainless steel, twist on and off securely, and have a top loop for easy attachment. The polypropylene #5 caps have no known leaching characteristics, and are softer on the teeth and easy to drink from. However, if you would rather avoid plastic altogether, the stainless steel caps are a great optionKlean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve

The CamelBak Better Bottle represents a new standard of performance and convenience in re-usable water bottles. Available in multiple colors and in three sizes–1 liter, 0.75 liter, and 0.5 liter–this innovative bottle is also BPA- and Phthalate-free. The bottle’s integrated handle makes it easy to carry with the crook of a finger or clip to a backpack with a carabiner. CamelBak’s Big Bite Valve offers a proven design that contains no moving parts–just bite and sip for easy hydration. The cap fits most other bottles and the Better Bottle attaches to most water filters and fits in most cup holders. It’s dishwasher safe.

Product Description
Stay hydrated anytime, anywhere, with the latest technology from CamelBak. The innovative new spillproof bottle holds 0.50L of water and comes in stylish colors. Easy to use, easy to carry, and easy to clean, CamelBak has bottled the perfect hydration system

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve

Amalfi Coast Accommodations by Jake Strong

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of wonderful coastline. Italy is such a wonderful place and the Amalfi Coast really encapsulates its beauty.Here are two hotels located in Amalfi that you might want to check out.

Santa Caterina – This is a large mansion that located just outside of the main area of Amalfi. It’s one of the best hotels along the Amalfi Coast. This hotel features 66 rooms, 2 restaurants, cable TV, saltwater pool, gym, beach access, bars, and data ports. It’s definitely a great place to stay if it’s within your budget.

Hotel dei Cavalieri – Located on the outskirts of Amalfi is this clean-looking hotel. The rooms are bright and fully furnished. You can start the day right by enjoying their breakfast buffet. This Amalfi Coast hotel offers 54 rooms, one restaurant, cable TV, and a bar.

As is the case with any hotel along the Amalfi Coast, you need to book ahead of time. As you can see, these hotels don’t have thousands of rooms and they will get booked up. The Amalfi Coast is very beautiful with lots to do. You really can’t go wrong with spending some time here. Some Italy vacationers spend their entire vacation in this area. And of course, you can always take a quick trip over to Sorrento or Naples too.

 

About the Author

Do your Italy vacation right by visiting ItalyVacationer.com for Italy travel tips, reviews and more. They have a great article about “Amalfi Coast Tours” on their site.

If you’d like to learn more about “Amalfi Coast Italy” check out the link.

Vacation Travel Tips – Tips for Safely Carrying Money and Avoiding Pickpockets by T Bryan

If you are planning a vacation, the easiest and safest method for carrying your money is simply to leave it in the bank and use your credit or debit card instead. This way you don’t have to worry about losing your money or having it stolen. However, keep in mind that if you are traveling out of the country without cash, there is always the possibility that the ATM machine will “eat” the card and fail to return it to you. Another problem one international traveler had was withdrawing several hundred dollars from her account and not having the money come out of the machine. This could be a real problem if you are out of the country and without any ready cash.It is common for thieves to hang out by the ATM machines waiting for a “tourist” to withdraw money. They then follow the person for a few blocks and rob them. So if you will be in a foreign country making use of the ATM machines be sure to exercise caution. Remember that some countries have the art of pickpocketing down to a science with purposeful and timed distractions, using fake falls by elderly people, cutting open purses, and other such things so be aware of your surroundings at all times.

There are many people who don’t carry any plastic, and they prefer to have their money with them. That’s fine, no problem, but you should take some precautions to be sure you don’t find yourself devoid of any money in the middle of your trip.

Traveler’s checks are always a good idea. You have a record of each check in case of problems.

If you are traveling with your family, a good idea is to divide the money up between all of you. I don’t recommend keeping it all in one place just to be on the safe side. That way if somehow someone becomes separated from their money, all of it is not lost.

Another fairly safe method is to use a neck pouch. These are sold in travel stores and online, and as you would probably imagine, you just hang the money pouch around your neck. You could then tuck it inside your shirt or jacket to keep it out of sight.

Another idea is to place your cash in a plastic bag and keep it inside of your shoe. I read about someone using this method successfully and apparently you do get used to the feel of the plastic bag inside your shoe.

A money belt is another option. Keep the majority of the cash in the belt and leave some in your wallet so that you are not constantly having to go to the belt and alerting people as to the location of your money.

When waiting in line to board your plane, leave your passport, ID, wallet, money, et cetera inside your pocket or purse until you are asked to present your boarding pass at the end of the line. With all the distractions it would be easy for someone to snatch your stuff if you are just standing and holding everything in your hand.

 

About the Author

Planning a vacation? There’s no reason you should pay full price for airfare. Learn how to find airline travel cheap and join the thousands of happy travelers who are already saving boatloads of money on airfare right now. You too can get really cheap airfare!

Do You Want To Cheap Your Romantic Vacations by Kulveer Singh

It is not always possible to jet off half way around the world when you and your significant other are wishing to go off on a private and romantic getaway. The great news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money or go very far to get away from everyone and everything. You can find cheap romantic vacations nearby, and you may not have to look much further than the Internet to find great packages that you can afford.You may think of creepy resorts when you think of cheap romantic vacations, but you can leave these to the movies. You can usually find a great bed and breakfast near you that will offer you privacy and romance at an amazingly low price. You may only have to drive an hour to get away, and you will find that you love the romance such a setting will provide to you. These cheap romantic vacations are often set in rural areas that offer natural beauty and small town charm. You won’t even have to leave your room to enjoy either one.

You can also find cheap romantic vacations if you look online for discount travel sites. These sites have packages that are meant just for lovers, and they know what you need when you are looking for cheap romantic vacations. You may find something that jets you off to another part of the country for a short three or four-day getaway that affords you what you need at a price you can afford. Cheap doesn’t mean it will be cheesy for the most part. Although, when you are looking to save some money on a trip, you do really have to watch out. My honeymoon was ruined because I didn’t look into things like I should have.

When you are offered packages for cheap romantic vacations make sure you check up on what you are being offered before you sign on the dotted line. There are some places that misrepresent what they are, and you don’t want to be disappointed when you get there. Look online for reviews of each place from others who have gone there for cheap romantic vacations and see what they have to say. For more useful tips & hints, please browse for more information at our website:- http://www.reprintarticlesite.com http://www.toursguide.reprintarticlesite.com

If the place seems to have disappointed more than one couple, you should definitely think twice before you go there. If you find this is the case, keep looking. Something better will pop up if you keep searching.

 

About the Author

Kulveer