Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart

Rating:
Summary: The truth comes out.
Review: Having a marketing and business background and experiencing how big corporations come into town or buy out other store names and then will discontinue or not use small vendors made me think sometime back; companies like Home Depot, Wal-Marts, Targets, Borders, Barnes and Nobles, Wild Oats health stores the list could go on really hurt the unique character and social fabric of any town beside the low wages, profits leaving town to WalStreet stockholders that now 1% of the people own 47% of the wealth now and the rest get to fight over the rest of he dwindling pie. I have stopped shopping at those places and realize my shopping patterns are a vote for what this country stood for. Our forefathers did not fight for this country for big business to run our political system and control our marketplace totally. Any concerned citizen should read this book and open there eyes to the lie Wal-Mart and rest present on spin commercials. I highly recommend this book and give it to a friend.

Rating:
Summary: The Activist's Bible
Review: I found out about this book from friends in a citizen's group in Maryland that was fighting a Wal-Mart. They said Al Norman's book was their Bible. I have read other books that are business history titles--but Slam Dunking Wal-Mart actually gives you the information you need to stop superstores in your community. Norman has helped dozens of communities do just that over the past 7 years, and he's become the "guru" of the anti-sprawl movement, to quote 60 Minutes. I found this book more and more useful as I reread it, and I've copied sections to give to my local officials. This is not some pointy-headed academic book--its a good read for the average homeowner or merchant who is looking for arguments and strategies for stopping superstore sprawl. Get one--and get one for your Mayor to read as well! Now I understand why Wal-Mart doesn't like to debate this guy. I was appalled to learn that Wal-Mart has over 300 "dead" stores on the market today. This book also has good info on Home Depot and other logos. The NY Times doesn't know this book exists--but citizens'groups have made good use of it.

Rating:
Summary: The Activist's Bible
Review: I'd be surprised if Mr. Norman's book does not keep you awake at night. I know it had that affect on me. Even if you think you like Wal-Mart, after you read this book I doubt you will ever look at a superstore the same way again. The book also provides a common sense, easy to follow game plan for citizens to fight superstore sprawl. I know it will help us in our fight against the invasion of Wal-Mart on Kent Island.

Rating:
Summary: I'm so glad that Americans hate Africans
Review: I'm so glad that Americans hate Africans because you can imagine the number of African entrepreneurs, many of whom have successfully put their kids through outrageously overpriced private universities in America, would be decimated by Wal-Mart. Keep up the hatred Mr. American Journalist!

Rating:
Summary: A Lay Persons Bible!
Review: If you need help fighting ANY big business, this is the book to buy! It was recommended to me by a friend who used it to successfully keep a grocery chain out of their neighborhood. Now we have followed the advice to keep developers from moving into our small town. The book is easy to read with helpful hints that can be applied to many areas of use. Thank You Thank You for writing this book!

Rating:
Summary: Al Norman Brings Warning Light To Red Hook, New York
Review: Sooner or later every beautiful rural American Town will have to deal with the threat of a corporate Goliath like Wal-Mart invading their community. Al Norman's book Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart educates, not only citizen groups, but Planning and Zoning Boards across the country. It also assists them in directly dealing with these inevitable imposters to the quietude of Rural America. If you can't get Al Norman to come to your town (you might be able to if you contact him) - this book is the next best thing. Mr. Norman and his book are presently bringing the Warning Light to the Town of Red Hook, New York (upstate New York, about 60 miles south of Albany). Believe it or not, everybody's listening to Wal-Mart's nemesis. Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart is a must read for community activists and Planning Boards alike!

Rating:
Summary: Al Norman Brings Warning Light To Red Hook, New York
Review: Sooner or later every beautiful rural American Town will have to deal with the threat of a corporate Goliath like Wal-Mart invading their community. Al Norman's book Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart educates, not only citizen groups, but Planning and Zoning Boards across the country. It also assists them in directly dealing with these inevitable imposters to the quietude of Rural America. If you can't get Al Norman to come to your town (you might be able to if you contact him) - this book is the next best thing. Mr. Norman and his book are presently bringing the Warning Light to the Town of Red Hook, New York (upstate New York, about 60 miles south of Albany). Believe it or not, everybody's listening to Wal-Mart's nemesis. Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart is a must read for community activists and Planning Boards alike!

Rating:
Summary: Citizens can fight Superstore Sprawl!
Review: This book is excellent! A must have for any citizen activist trying to preserve their hometown. It helps citizens organize and fight back! Urban sprawl is the #1 killer of communities. Wal-Marts and Home Depots suck the life out of thriving communities with their wide product base which draws customers away from small businesses. On a larger scale, both stores, because of their large volume purchasing power, force manufacturers to sell almost below cost and this phenomena is largely responsible for the incredible amount of outsourcing in America today. The end result is not only lower prices but in many cases lower quality durable goods. (Not to mention less good jobs!) The companion book, The Case Against Wal-Mart, published April 2004, gives even more insight to Wal-Mart's power over manufacturers and decribes how Rubbermaid was forced to close many of its American factories.
Wal-Marts and Home Depots are traffic magnets. Don't let sprawl clog up your town if you can help it.
Regina Costantino Discenza (www.nohomedepot.us)
Forked River, NJ 08731

Rating:
Summary: Another side of the WAL we never hear about.
Review: This book takes us behind the WAL to see another side of the company that so many small towns are fighting. I think this book is indispensable to any person who is appalled by what companies like Wal-Mart and Home Depot are doing to communities. Slam Dunking explores not only the quality of life reasons why people are trying to stop sprawl, but the hard economic facts as well. Many local officials think that if a new building is going up, it must mean economic progress. This book refutes that myth, and other misconceptions about uncontrolled retail growth. I liked the handy lists of how to organize a citizen's group, what towns have beaten Wal-Mart and Home Depot, and the strategies that can help bring down Goliath. As Norman says: "It ain't over until the fat company sings," and this book can help local communities find the right song. After you read this book, be sure to pass it along to everyone on your Town Council, and to your local reporters. It's a real eye-opener!

Rating:
Summary: Whoa! What a book!
Review: When we heard Wal-Mart wanted to build in our little village, we panicked! Sounded like a done deal... Wal-Mart's so big -- what chance did anyone have at stopping this project? We immediately felt doomed. And then we discovered Al Norman and "Slam-Dunking Wal-Mart"! This book has all the answers we needed, plus all kinds of motivation to fight to keep our village instead of selling out to the big retailer. If your municipality is faced with Wal-Mart wanting to build, but you're not sure that's a good idea, read this book before you make up your mind. Based on his own successful campaign against Wal-Mart in his home town, as well as reports from communities across the country facing the same difficulties, Al Norman provides an enormous amount of information... or... as I prefer to think of it... 'ammunition'. And best of all, he gives you the confidence and information you need to not only be a viable contender in the battle against Wal-Mart, but to actually win the entire war. Thanks Al! :-)