doctor John Mudge made the first
"puffer" - a tin cup with a hole
poked in the lid. Patients filled the
cup with hot water and whatever
drug the doctor prescribed (often
opium, a serious narcotic). They'd
heat it and breathe in the steam
through a small tube.
American doctor George Maison
designed the modern inhaler/puffer
in the 1950s."
Five items are considered in this fine new book by the same team who penned Follow Your Money (2013). This time they look at a t-shirt, an asthma inhaler, a cellphone, eyeglasses, and this book they have created. They begin by asking a question meant to get their readers thinking seriously about their answer.
"Who made that shirt you're wearing? Do you know?
Can you say where it was made without looking at
the tag?"
It's a good question; the answer to which many rarely consider. The one thing we do know is that, in general, we didn't make it! That has changed greatly over the years, as advances have been made in technology, transportation, and the need to provide materials globally. Few of the items we use in our daily life are made locally, or even in our own country.
"This VERY BOOK will attempt to explain who those people are, where
they are (hint: everywhere), what they do, how they get paid, and how you
are involved in the global economy."
A t-shirt's journey may begin in China, move to Guatemala, India, and Mexico before arriving at the store that supplies North Americans with that particular piece of clothing. It is a fascinating set of circumstances and explained openly for targeted readers. As they describe, and show through straightforward illustrations, the cost of producing any of the five items discussed, they help provide an understanding for the very complicated path each takes until it reaches a buyer's hands.
It is eye-opening, and often startling. At every stage readers are asked to consider some very important questions. Each journey is filled with research-based information, accompanied by appealing artwork, and tasking us to think beyond our consumerism. There is much to consider when spending money on household items deemed essential. At the end of each section, a recap of shared information is provided.
I was particularly interested in the section on this very book.
"Our names may be on the front cover, but Kevin Sylvester
and Michael Hlinka are only a small part of the process for
making a book."
From idea to contract, paid advances, writing and rewriting before the book has even gone to publication, the authors describe how much work goes into every step in the process. The book is then sent to the printer, and finally to the bookstore which must pay all of its costs before it can claim any profit from selling the book. And the authors?
"Kevin and Michael will get a royalty of about 10 percent
of the "suggested retail price" - or the price you see printed
on the book - for every book sold ... sort of. Remember that
they received an "advance on royalties"? That means
bookstores will have to sell about 5,000 books before Kevin
and Michael start making more money off sales. A bestseller
in Canada is about 5,000 books. In the United States and other
big markets, its more like 45,000 books."
In the end that means Kevin and Michael will make $1.49 for each paperback copy and $2.49 for each hardcover copy sold beyond the target number of 5,000. You have to write a lot of books each year to make a living wage, or have another job to support your writing life. The first time this same thing I was astounded. After reading this book, I have a better understanding for where the money goes.
The References and Further Reading section is exceptional, offering connections to looking further at wages, environmental issues, human rights, and much, much more. Meant for teen consumers, but very informative for their parents and teachers as well.
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