What Money Can't Buy

Should prisoners be able to buy cell upgrades? Michael Sandel initiates debate on the ethics of Òmarket triumphalism.Ó The author's reading of his own work is occasionally monotonous, but his questions about such things as carbon trading, sterilizing women for cash, and paying for good grades are intriguing. Talk of sports naming rights and ads on foreheads can be comical. When he discusses modern variants on life insurance, listeners may get a little nervous. Some listeners may not share Sandel's hard line on the market. After all, how many people nowadays are upset by gift cards? Even so, it's likely everyone will have a few points to ponder after hearing his thoughts. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

August 1, 2012

Harvard ethics professor Sandel (Justice: What's the Right Thing To Do?) here questions the current growing practice of incentivizing (e.g., paying students to read, earn good grades) and other marketplace expansions (e.g., lobbyists paying professional line-standers for the limited seating at Congressional hearings). Sandel details two significant problems: inequity and corrupting the good things in life by pricing them. VERDICT Unfortunately, the repetition of examples/issues leads one to think this would have been more successful as an article or white paper. Also, rather than relying on the author's vocal talents, the publisher should have sought the efforts of a professional narrator. However, given Sandel's prominence and the challenging topic, this title will be of interest to the academic or professional with a lengthy daily commute. [The Farrar hc was a New York Times best seller.--Ed.]--M. Gail Preslar, formerly with Eastman Chemical Co. Business Lib., Kingsport, TN

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