Stealth of Nations: The Global Rise of the Informal Economy
“Stealth of Nationsis the most exciting shopping trip I’ve ever been on. I thought I knew what ‘the economy’ is, but I had no idea until Neuwirth filled me in.” —Barbara Ehrenreich, author ofNickel and Dimed“Herein, an intrepid journalist examines the real world of wealth creation at the very bottom of the pyramid, where it matters most.  The rest of economics will have to adjust accordingly.” —Stewart Brand, author ofWhole Earth Discipline  “We are just beginning to understand that today’s advanced global economy rises along with a proliferation of informal economies. Nobody can document this better than the world-traveling journalist Robert Neuwirth. This is a must-read book.” —Saskia Sassen, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology, Columbia University, and author ofA Sociology of Globalization  “After reading this book you will realize that working in an office, a shop, or in a factory, earning a steady salary, paying taxes and having health insurance and a retirement account is an anomaly.  Most of the world’s workers operate in the informal sector and in this fascinating book Robert Neuwirth reveals how ‘The Stealth Economy’ works and what does it take to survive in it.” —Moisés Naím, author ofIllicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers, and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy“A vibrant picture of a growing sphere of trade that already employs half the workers of the world.” —Kirkus Reviews