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Well, duh, people need jobs to buy stuff.

If this is the limit of your vision on jobs then this book may not be for you. This book deals more with the psychology and very human need to keep busy, contribute and feel productive.

It then gets into the many ways in which good jobs are disappearing to efficiency, automation, cheaper labor outside the U.S.A. and demand for actual quality items versus cheap "one size fits all" products that can be mass produced.

The way education in the United States plays a role in job readiness but not necessarily life readiness gets a good review.

Shell then gets into several ideas that may, or may not, work to keep Americans employed or innovative or at least not living under a bridge. The summarized recap of ideas starts on page 319.

All in all, a good read or reminder on the benefits of providing Americans a means to go be a part of the workforce and the importance of public and private sectors to find ways to provide them.

Not mentioned was the pride one feels in being able to pay their way by earning a paycheck. Many of societies problems, (drugs, homelessness, health, theft, trust, shootings - you name it), are directly related to a livable wage and having the opportunity to earn that wage with dignity. For more on this aspect read Bowling Alone.

Speaks of what motivated Christine Mason Miller, a creative entrepreneur, during various points in her life with emphasis on rebuilding herself after divorce.

Each page is a "plate" of mostly handwritten words over an artistic collage of colors, paint, cut-outs, photographs and many read like a diary/journal. Best comparison I can think of is a crafty photo book but heavier on words that those projects many of us have in our basements.

I had the sense that this book speaks more to women than men although I can not explain this feeling, only mention it.

Overall, there are a few verses/pages/plates on the topic of finding ones' self and many on justification of walking away from stressful responsibilities and benefits of looking after just oneself.

Her example could stir thoughts that may be helpful to each individual reader. In fairness, I should mention that many other books I have managed to read seem to stress the importance of giving to others, to share, to engage our environment with all other life in mind, but this book is more about "me first" and I can accept that one is better positioned to bring happiness to the World if they can first learn how to be happy as an individual.