Where Underpants Come from: From Cotton Fields to Checkout Counters -- Travels Through the New China and Int O the New Global Economy

by Joe Bennett

Book Overview

Joe embarks on an odyssey to the new factory of the world, China, to trace his underwear back to their source. Along the way he discovers the extraordinarily balanced and intricate web of contacts and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590202287
• ISBN13: 9781590202289
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Is the Global Economy Really Global Silliness?

I sometimes wonder how we got ourselves into this global silliness where so many of the things we wear and use are made in China and shipped in unbelievably huge container ships to destinations in almost every corner of the world. Famous brands are only rarely made in their countries of origin anymore. As a consequence we've, in essence, exported many of our meaningful manufacturing jobs to China, India, and Southeast Asia. Unemployment grows in the West, the atmosphere, seas and earth get sullied with toxic chemicals and we all enjoy our electronic trinkets made largely from the by-products of oil. How sustainable is this? I've just finished reading a book by Joe Bennett called, Where Underpants Come From: From Cotton Fields to Checkout Counters --Travels Through the New China and Into the New Global Economy. How's that for a catchy and provocative title? Joe is a very funny writer in a Bill Bryson-ish way. He's a popular columnist here in New Zealand (although his roots are in the UK and he's lived five years in Canada). As Joe Bennett points out, the two Chinese characters for China represent the words Middle Kingdom. The Chinese have always been ethnocentric and, really, for most of the last two thousand-plus years they've led the world in innovativeness. The Chinese are not far from dominating world trade and commerce now. I encourage you to read Where Underpants Come From for a recent peak at the factories and life in the New China of today. You'll laugh and you'll wonder - as I do. Where is all this leading? John Haines is the author of In Search of Simplicity: A True Story that Changes Lives, a startlingly poignant and inspiring real-life endorsement of the power of thought, belief and synchronicity in one's life.

A favorite

I loved this book. It is entertaining as well as eye-opening...not always an easy thing to pull off. I tend to alternate reading fiction and non-fiction (so as not to feel like a total escapist) and I definitely felt like I learned A LOT. Can't wait for more from Joe Bennett.

So much more than underpants

I originally picked up this book because of the title alone. It made me laugh. But I was pleased to discover that even more than telling me the interesting (yes, interesting) details of how underpants get made and shipped, the book would give me an intimate view into the daily lives of ordinary Chinese men and women. And because the author is reporting what he saw and smelled and experienced himself, there's a great sense of authenticity to the view he presents. I didn't expect to come away from this book with a greater understanding of the economic, cultural, and environmental changes in China, but I did!

A highly recommended and lively, fun discussion

WHERE UNDERPANTS COME FROM is a livelier, better book discussing the new global economy. It began when the author bought a six-pack of underwear in his local supermarket for less than five dollars and wondered who could possibly profit from the price. His investigations led to China, where he traced his underwear to their makers and discovered some realities of global exchange and business that are easily absorbed here by both business students and general collections catering to world travelers or world culture fans. A highly recommended and lively, fun discussion.

Great Read

While vacationing in NZ, spotted this book in a number of Kiwi's hands. Decided to buy a copy. Fun read. Aside from the interesting adventures of author Joe Bennett, this is a timely study of China today. I will never think the same way about China again.