How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine

How to Resist Amazon and Why

Subtitle: The Fight for Local Economics, Data Privacy, Fair Labor, Independent Bookstores, and a People-Powered Future!

Author: Danny Caine

Genre: Nonfiction

Publish Date: 2020 - updated in 2022

Read: March 2025

Favorite Quote: Whether you’re an Amazon worker or an Amazon neighbor, you’re more likely to bear the brunt of Amazon’s environmental impact if you’re a person of color.

Synopsis: Amazon has become ubiquitous; subtly infiltrating neighborhoods, governments, police, and your home. When a company becomes too big, what happens? The government use to intervene thanks to the Sherman Act, but when that interpretation was upended, the American ideals of antitrust went out the window. Now, Amazon (among other companies) is too big, too critical, and slowly taking over everything we do - even if we want to opt out.

Why does this book beguile? I had seen this book multiple times at my local bookstore and something compelled me to finally buy it. If you’re unfamiliar with how far Amazon’s tentacles reach and wrap, definitely check out this book. Did you know Amazon is able to offer products so cheaply because it actually makes its money through its AWS platform hosting businesses like Netflix, Meta, Twitter, and others? Amazon also acts as a competitor and a platform when third-party sellers want to sell products on Amazon, taking a cut and collecting data to see bestsellers, and then replicate and sell directly.

If you know this information, it’s a good reminder what’s at stake: communities, oversight, regulation, and more.

Bookshop.Org Link*: How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine

Amazon Link: How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine