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Selling the Dream: The Billion-Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans
Peabody and Emmy Award–winning journalist Jane Marie expands on her popular podcast The Dream to expose the scourge of multilevel marketing schemes and how they have profited off the evisceration of the American working class.
We’ve all heard of Amway, Mary Kay, Tupperware, and LuLaRoe, but few know the nefarious way they and countless other multilevel marketing (MLM) companies prey on desperate Americans struggling to make ends meet.
When factories close, stalwart industries shutter, and blue-collar opportunities evaporate, MLMs are there, ready to pounce on the crumbling American Dream. MLMs thrive in rural areas and on military bases, targeting women with promises of being their own boss and millions of dollars in easy income—even at the risk of their entire life savings. But the vast majority—99.7%—of those who join an MLM make no money or lose money, and wind up stuck with inventory they can’t sell to recoup their losses.
Featuring in-depth reporting and intimate research, Selling the Dream reveals how these companies—often owned by political and corporate elites, such as the Devos and the Van Andels families—have made a windfall in profit off of the desperation of the American working class.
We’ve all heard of Amway, Mary Kay, Tupperware, and LuLaRoe, but few know the nefarious way they and countless other multilevel marketing (MLM) companies prey on desperate Americans struggling to make ends meet.
When factories close, stalwart industries shutter, and blue-collar opportunities evaporate, MLMs are there, ready to pounce on the crumbling American Dream. MLMs thrive in rural areas and on military bases, targeting women with promises of being their own boss and millions of dollars in easy income—even at the risk of their entire life savings. But the vast majority—99.7%—of those who join an MLM make no money or lose money, and wind up stuck with inventory they can’t sell to recoup their losses.
Featuring in-depth reporting and intimate research, Selling the Dream reveals how these companies—often owned by political and corporate elites, such as the Devos and the Van Andels families—have made a windfall in profit off of the desperation of the American working class.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
July 2, 2024
“Hey hun! Want to find out how you can make thousands of dollars from home? #girlboss”
If you’re a millennial woman, you’ve probably received a message along those lines from an old high-school classmate or a friend of a friend. In recent years, the devastating impact of multi-level marketing schemes on bank accounts and friendships alike has become increasingly well-known. This book by the host of The Dream podcast delves into the history of MLMs to explore how they came into being and why they’re still legally allowed in the U.S.
If you’ve listened to the author’s podcast, some of the information and examples in this book will be familiar to you already, and the focus is definitely more on the history of MLMs than their modern impact. But it is an enjoyable, informative and witty read that left me both angry at MLM founders and more compassionate for their victims.
If you’re a millennial woman, you’ve probably received a message along those lines from an old high-school classmate or a friend of a friend. In recent years, the devastating impact of multi-level marketing schemes on bank accounts and friendships alike has become increasingly well-known. This book by the host of The Dream podcast delves into the history of MLMs to explore how they came into being and why they’re still legally allowed in the U.S.
If you’ve listened to the author’s podcast, some of the information and examples in this book will be familiar to you already, and the focus is definitely more on the history of MLMs than their modern impact. But it is an enjoyable, informative and witty read that left me both angry at MLM founders and more compassionate for their victims.
March 14, 2024
3.5 - Before I say, anything else, let me do a little service journalism and let you know that if you listened to the Dream podcast, you don’t really need to read this book.
I picked up this book specifically because I liked the first season of the Dream podcast so much. I have a lot of interest in nonfiction about cults and high control groups, and that does tend to overlap with anti-MLM media quite a bit. I also have unbearable know-it-all tendencies and love debunking media, so that podcast was pretty much right up my alley… which is why I was disappointed to be disappointed by the book.
A very large chunk of this book is dedicated to the history of network selling and multilevel marketing schemes and how a few of the bigger companies were founded. As I was listening to the audiobook, I remember thinking “oh yeah! I remember this episode from the podcast. It wasn’t my favorite, but I’m sure once this section is over we will get onto the good stuff” and then looking down and being astonished to see that the audiobook was 70% over. This book was really short at around six hours, so I really don’t understand why they couldn’t have made it longer so that they could’ve included more personal anecdotes and thoughtful analysis instead of spending so much time on the history of a few characters. That episode of the podcast was the one I personally found least interesting, so the ratio of subject matter in this longer book format was very much not to my taste.
I will note that I listened to the audiobook which was performed by Jane Marie herself, who also hosted the podcast. I am curious if her extremely casual and chatty tone came across as well in print as it does in audio. I personally don’t connect to her performance style as much as I do other podcast hosts, so I was kind of ambivalent about the narrative performance here.
I was also kind of disappointed by how basic this book was. When the podcast first came out I don’t feel like as much anti-MLM media was available so it felt very fresh and new. But as the book mentions, we have now had several documentaries on the topic along with the John Oliver episode, other books and several podcasts, and even subreddits on the topic. I feel like this book needed to have a higher level of insight and analysis to justify its existence because a general negative sentiment about MLM’s is pretty mainstream now. When I picked it up, I had assumed it would have been updated with new information, but the only thing I noticed that was fresh and recent was a brief anecdote about TikTok that was used as the final epilogue image and wasn’t analyzed or discussed at all. I’m certain that short form video taking over social media and the increasingly narrow silos of content we consume must be affecting the MLM landscape, but I guess this book wasn’t interested in that. Instead we’re gonna talk about Holiday Magic again.
I do think that this book has some good utility as a basic overview of the history of MLM‘s, and does a good job talking about the sinister intertwining of business interests with politics. It has a good section on the consequences of underfunding regulatory bodies. But I just don’t think it’s gonna get a lot of eyeballs on it when compared to snappy first person tell-alls from people who made actual money in MLM schemes and now want to generate even more wealth through publicly performing guilt about that experience (Yes, this is a sideswipe at Hey, Hun). Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t engaging enough, and I think the paucity of personal anecdotes and lack of uniquely insightful analysis is going to keep it from being particularly memorable. The podcast had a whole gimmick where the hosts actually participated in an MLM scheme and went to a conference and the first person experience of listening to women desperately seeking hope for financial freedom in that setting was genuinely moving. Where was that ingenuity and creative thinking when this book was outlined?
Edit to add: it is kinda comical that you can read the title of Selling the Dream as referring to the author cashing in on her podcast, the Dream. It really does feel like the podcast was just stretched out to book length without anything added (and with a lot of things lost), but if that’s the case, why did it take six years to come out? It would have felt timely if the book also came out in 2018, but it just doesn’t have enough insight to be coming out in 2024.
I picked up this book specifically because I liked the first season of the Dream podcast so much. I have a lot of interest in nonfiction about cults and high control groups, and that does tend to overlap with anti-MLM media quite a bit. I also have unbearable know-it-all tendencies and love debunking media, so that podcast was pretty much right up my alley… which is why I was disappointed to be disappointed by the book.
A very large chunk of this book is dedicated to the history of network selling and multilevel marketing schemes and how a few of the bigger companies were founded. As I was listening to the audiobook, I remember thinking “oh yeah! I remember this episode from the podcast. It wasn’t my favorite, but I’m sure once this section is over we will get onto the good stuff” and then looking down and being astonished to see that the audiobook was 70% over. This book was really short at around six hours, so I really don’t understand why they couldn’t have made it longer so that they could’ve included more personal anecdotes and thoughtful analysis instead of spending so much time on the history of a few characters. That episode of the podcast was the one I personally found least interesting, so the ratio of subject matter in this longer book format was very much not to my taste.
I will note that I listened to the audiobook which was performed by Jane Marie herself, who also hosted the podcast. I am curious if her extremely casual and chatty tone came across as well in print as it does in audio. I personally don’t connect to her performance style as much as I do other podcast hosts, so I was kind of ambivalent about the narrative performance here.
I was also kind of disappointed by how basic this book was. When the podcast first came out I don’t feel like as much anti-MLM media was available so it felt very fresh and new. But as the book mentions, we have now had several documentaries on the topic along with the John Oliver episode, other books and several podcasts, and even subreddits on the topic. I feel like this book needed to have a higher level of insight and analysis to justify its existence because a general negative sentiment about MLM’s is pretty mainstream now. When I picked it up, I had assumed it would have been updated with new information, but the only thing I noticed that was fresh and recent was a brief anecdote about TikTok that was used as the final epilogue image and wasn’t analyzed or discussed at all. I’m certain that short form video taking over social media and the increasingly narrow silos of content we consume must be affecting the MLM landscape, but I guess this book wasn’t interested in that. Instead we’re gonna talk about Holiday Magic again.
I do think that this book has some good utility as a basic overview of the history of MLM‘s, and does a good job talking about the sinister intertwining of business interests with politics. It has a good section on the consequences of underfunding regulatory bodies. But I just don’t think it’s gonna get a lot of eyeballs on it when compared to snappy first person tell-alls from people who made actual money in MLM schemes and now want to generate even more wealth through publicly performing guilt about that experience (Yes, this is a sideswipe at Hey, Hun). Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t engaging enough, and I think the paucity of personal anecdotes and lack of uniquely insightful analysis is going to keep it from being particularly memorable. The podcast had a whole gimmick where the hosts actually participated in an MLM scheme and went to a conference and the first person experience of listening to women desperately seeking hope for financial freedom in that setting was genuinely moving. Where was that ingenuity and creative thinking when this book was outlined?
Edit to add: it is kinda comical that you can read the title of Selling the Dream as referring to the author cashing in on her podcast, the Dream. It really does feel like the podcast was just stretched out to book length without anything added (and with a lot of things lost), but if that’s the case, why did it take six years to come out? It would have felt timely if the book also came out in 2018, but it just doesn’t have enough insight to be coming out in 2024.
May 9, 2024
4.0 Stars
This was an interesting examination of MLMs. As someone critical of these businesses, I enjoyed the deep dive. If you sell for Amway, You’ll probably hate this book.
This was an interesting examination of MLMs. As someone critical of these businesses, I enjoyed the deep dive. If you sell for Amway, You’ll probably hate this book.
January 4, 2024
In Selling the Dream, journalist Jane Marie delves into the world of MLMs — How they’ve gained popularity, who they prey on, and why, far more often than not, the participants end up losing the most in their game.
The idea of making money without the traditional demands of a corporate job can seem appealing, but the requirements to earn — and maintain — success aren’t sustainable, especially when a market becomes oversaturated, which in the MLM world, they’re all bound to eventually, given the pyramid scheme’s reliance on recruiting.
Jane highlights Tupperware, Amway, LulaRoe, Mary Kay, and more in Selling the Dream. She discusses who MLMs target, how they frequently use religion in their marketing efforts, and why, while illegal, pyramid schemes are often hard for the FTC to pursue claims against.
I wasn’t familiar with Jane or her podcast, The Dream, prior to reading this book. The content is informative yet also digestible, with some dry humor included. I don’t know if I can say I learned a ton of new info reading Selling the Dream, however, I still found it fascinating and Jane’s detailed research in the book is evident.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The idea of making money without the traditional demands of a corporate job can seem appealing, but the requirements to earn — and maintain — success aren’t sustainable, especially when a market becomes oversaturated, which in the MLM world, they’re all bound to eventually, given the pyramid scheme’s reliance on recruiting.
Jane highlights Tupperware, Amway, LulaRoe, Mary Kay, and more in Selling the Dream. She discusses who MLMs target, how they frequently use religion in their marketing efforts, and why, while illegal, pyramid schemes are often hard for the FTC to pursue claims against.
I wasn’t familiar with Jane or her podcast, The Dream, prior to reading this book. The content is informative yet also digestible, with some dry humor included. I don’t know if I can say I learned a ton of new info reading Selling the Dream, however, I still found it fascinating and Jane’s detailed research in the book is evident.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2024
This is a solid intro into the world and history of MLMs. I listened to her podcast (somewhat) and found this was similar, though I honestly don't know what was from the show and what was new and was was repeat from other MLM stuff I have watched. It was a fast read and good on audio, but nothing ground breaking for me here.
February 12, 2024
Anyone who speaks out against MLMs gets an automatic 5 stars from me. I don’t make the rules.
But in all seriousness, this book has some great inside stories from these horrendous “companies” and I would definitely recommend the read.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC
But in all seriousness, this book has some great inside stories from these horrendous “companies” and I would definitely recommend the read.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC
April 27, 2024
Like they said! - they being many/most other reviewers!
The last few years have spawned a number of good media info sources - podcasts, articles, books, films, series - about MLMs. This is a good thing; it behooves us to understand and be wary of them.
However, given that many of us interested in this topic have already consumed much of the pertinent media that arrived in this recent wave - the author’s own multi-season podcast, The Dream, foremost among them - it seems this book is arriving a bit late on the scene. Much of its content will be especially familiar to those who’ve listened to the podcast, and for me, the narrative style worked a bit better organized into podcast episodes and seasons and felt a bit rambling and all over the place in book format. I felt like throughout the whole read, my brain was working overtime trying to decipher the overall organizational scheme. (Certainly not pyramidial, thank goodness, but otherwise I remain unsure!)
Nonetheless, this book contains a good solid history of MLMs and can be recommended for those still seeking to learn more.
The last few years have spawned a number of good media info sources - podcasts, articles, books, films, series - about MLMs. This is a good thing; it behooves us to understand and be wary of them.
However, given that many of us interested in this topic have already consumed much of the pertinent media that arrived in this recent wave - the author’s own multi-season podcast, The Dream, foremost among them - it seems this book is arriving a bit late on the scene. Much of its content will be especially familiar to those who’ve listened to the podcast, and for me, the narrative style worked a bit better organized into podcast episodes and seasons and felt a bit rambling and all over the place in book format. I felt like throughout the whole read, my brain was working overtime trying to decipher the overall organizational scheme. (Certainly not pyramidial, thank goodness, but otherwise I remain unsure!)
Nonetheless, this book contains a good solid history of MLMs and can be recommended for those still seeking to learn more.
March 30, 2024
A great critical analysis of Multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes in America over the years and the reasons why they're so popular and manage to persist. I enjoyed listening to this one a lot and would recommend to anyone who's ever bought or sold something from/for a MLM company like Tupperware, Avon, etc, etc!
October 2, 2023
I'm interested in the anti-MLM community and have read a lot of books and listened to podcasts on the topic. This book fills the need of context - the history of how different MLMs started and how back they go. It doesn't feel as personal/emotional as others I have read (particularly Hey, Hun by Emily Lynn Paulson), but I definitely recommend it alongside those memoirs. It's really important for people to know what kind of damage such companies are inflicting on people's lives.
November 24, 2023
I cringe when I think of the time I spent in an MLM.
Sure, there were some good parts in the friends I made and parts of the community I found, but there was a lot of not so great stuff. I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t lose hundreds or thousands of dollars - but it certainly wasn’t the dream I was sold. In her book, Selling the Dream, Jane Marie talks about so many of the lines I was fed:
🚩Professional development as a cure all.
🚩 It not being a pyramid scheme.
🚩 Gotta try all the products to be successful to “be a product of the product”
🚩 Cringey tactics to bring people into your down line.
From Amway to Tupperware to Arbonne and Lularoe - it’s all the same lines and tactics being forced on unsuspecting distributors.
This book provides a fascinating look into the history of MLMs. It reveals how many MLM founders have just rinsed and repeated the same predatory, damaging and unethical formula with whatever fill in the blank product they can shill.
Selling the Dream is an excellent companion to Jane Marie’s podcast. Her writing style is very accessible and intriguing. And while much of the MLM approach was familiar to me, I found myself in disbelief to learn how long this has been going on, in the same way repeatedly, and how little the government has done to step in and put a stop to these companies.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Sure, there were some good parts in the friends I made and parts of the community I found, but there was a lot of not so great stuff. I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t lose hundreds or thousands of dollars - but it certainly wasn’t the dream I was sold. In her book, Selling the Dream, Jane Marie talks about so many of the lines I was fed:
🚩Professional development as a cure all.
🚩 It not being a pyramid scheme.
🚩 Gotta try all the products to be successful to “be a product of the product”
🚩 Cringey tactics to bring people into your down line.
From Amway to Tupperware to Arbonne and Lularoe - it’s all the same lines and tactics being forced on unsuspecting distributors.
This book provides a fascinating look into the history of MLMs. It reveals how many MLM founders have just rinsed and repeated the same predatory, damaging and unethical formula with whatever fill in the blank product they can shill.
Selling the Dream is an excellent companion to Jane Marie’s podcast. Her writing style is very accessible and intriguing. And while much of the MLM approach was familiar to me, I found myself in disbelief to learn how long this has been going on, in the same way repeatedly, and how little the government has done to step in and put a stop to these companies.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 19, 2024
3.75 stars
Way more of a history and sociology of MLMS than a view from the inside, which I could have probably expected if I had read more about it. Definitively informative and interesting! If you’re looking for a more dishy insider view, I recommend Hey, Hun!
Way more of a history and sociology of MLMS than a view from the inside, which I could have probably expected if I had read more about it. Definitively informative and interesting! If you’re looking for a more dishy insider view, I recommend Hey, Hun!
March 30, 2024
My middle of the road rating isn't because this is a poorly written book or the information isn't relevant and presented well. It's simply because I've consumed just about everything there is about MLMs and I didn't really learn anything new. I love Jane Marie's style, I love her podcast The Dream, she is so thoughtful about how she approaches this topic and I truly appreciate the way she synthesizes multiple experiences with research and sprinkles in humor. I just kind of get the feeling that if you've listened to all three seasons of her podcast, watched the John Oliver deep dive, watched the documentaries, etc. etc.... I don't think there's any there there. Which sucks because these damn things are still so prevalent and are constantly popping up and making suckers out of people who probably just genuinely want to find a better way to exist in a late capitalistic hellscape. But I kind of think we've just mined this topic and found all there is to find.
So, in short, I think this is a good book and if you haven't already fallen down the MLM rabbit hole, the audacity is here in full regalia.
3.5 stars
So, in short, I think this is a good book and if you haven't already fallen down the MLM rabbit hole, the audacity is here in full regalia.
3.5 stars
May 5, 2024
A quick, informative read about the history of multi-level marketing schemes (aka MLMs or pyramid schemes) in the US. Unlike Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing, the author of this book hasn't joined an MLM herself, and intersperses interviews and vignettes with people who've joined MLMs with research on the history of some of the US' most well-known MLMs, including Amway, Avon, and (recently) LulaRoe. I enjoyed and learned quite a bit from this book.
July 3, 2024
So one of my GR friends, Jillian reviewed this book and it sounded so interesting, plus we have this problem all over the world, so I read it.
It is indeed very interesting, I just wish it was longer and had more user stories.
I believe the author that the exponential math of a pyramid scheme can never work, I just wish I could understand it.
Someone should write a book about the harm done to people in the developing world by these schemes, especially Africa.
The author supposedly has a great podcast that I really want to listen to as well.
It is indeed very interesting, I just wish it was longer and had more user stories.
I believe the author that the exponential math of a pyramid scheme can never work, I just wish I could understand it.
Someone should write a book about the harm done to people in the developing world by these schemes, especially Africa.
The author supposedly has a great podcast that I really want to listen to as well.
May 23, 2024
I listened to her podcast a while ago and have looked forward to her book, and both are fascinating and informative. This would be a good required reading text in high school as it could prevent a lot of good people from getting hurt down the road. I think the most insidious parts of MLMs is that they claim to provide a solution to what so many women need in an economy that is so difficult to raise a family on one salary - a way to work from home and/or have their own businesses. Thr fact that almost every one of these earnest people will make very little money for lots of sunk effort and hours at best, or lose quite a bit of money at worst, while a few others have made fortunes off their hopefulness is shameful. I’m looking at you Betsy DeVos…
April 7, 2024
A solid journalistic take on why MLMs continue to be so popular, even though they're a money-losing proposition for the majority of people who get involved. If you've listened to the author's podcast, a lot of the stories in the book will be familiar to you, but the book takes the conversation one step further by considering why MLMs haven't been subject to the kind of regulation they deserve.
March 17, 2024
3.5⭐️
June 21, 2024
I could hardly put this book down. It’s an entertaining overview of MLMs and their evolution through the 20th century, from sales parties to legal issues.
July 11, 2024
Nothing shocked me more than the political connections to MLMs.
April 15, 2024
MLMs are maddening and fascinating, and Jane Marie is an expert researcher and personable narrator. I listened to the podcast, so not much was new. If it had been, this would have been 5 stars.
March 14, 2024
This is a hard book for me to review. I know Jane’s work from her podcast “The Dream”, which is a fascinating look at the world of MLMs (multi-level marketing schemes, or pyramid schemes. You know…those illegal things that still somehow make billions of dollars every year). As is typical with books that come after the podcast, I expected some repeat of podcast content. That’s fine. It’s a good reminder of key players and events if you did listen to the podcast, and obviously new info for anyone else.
Here’s my big struggle with this book - the editing. Which is NOT Jane’s fault. This book comes from a Simon & Schuster imprint, so I was already aware that the quality might not be to industry standards (spoiler: it wasn’t). But what surprised me were some of the basic mistakes made: proper nouns not capitalized (Air Force, for example); sentences that ended abruptly or strangely, and paragraphs that were wholly unnecessary and wound up being repetitive, which slows the reader’s eye and makes them pause when you don’t want them to. And you want a reader to pause occasionally in this book, especially given some of the crazy shit MLMs do. Pausing where you don’t want them to is a big no-no in narrative nonfiction.
The other thing that struck me was the voice of the piece. Jane has a strong voice and after listening to the podcast, I could clearly hear it in the book. BUT…the voice that works in a podcast doesn’t and probably shouldn’t work in some circumstances in print. One particular example of this is her tendency to end sentences with, “…whatever that is”. It works in the podcast, it’s funny and slightly ironic. In print, it lends a cavalier, if not wholly amateurish, air to the words. Jane’s voice is strong enough in this book, an editor should have cut out those more spoken tendencies. (There’s also a big discussion to be had about how women are still told we should act like we’re not intelligent to cater to the male gaze and make them feel good…when you end sentences like this, it cuts deep into your credibility and intelligence, even if you don’t mean it that way. We shouldn’t be doing this as women/femme people in our work. Jane is a Peabody winner FFS. The editor did her dirty).
So TL;DR…it’s a great intro for people not aware of the predatory nature of MLMs. For the rest of us, there’s nothing terribly groundbreaking, but Jane’s voice (when not hampered by a shit editor) shines.
Here’s my big struggle with this book - the editing. Which is NOT Jane’s fault. This book comes from a Simon & Schuster imprint, so I was already aware that the quality might not be to industry standards (spoiler: it wasn’t). But what surprised me were some of the basic mistakes made: proper nouns not capitalized (Air Force, for example); sentences that ended abruptly or strangely, and paragraphs that were wholly unnecessary and wound up being repetitive, which slows the reader’s eye and makes them pause when you don’t want them to. And you want a reader to pause occasionally in this book, especially given some of the crazy shit MLMs do. Pausing where you don’t want them to is a big no-no in narrative nonfiction.
The other thing that struck me was the voice of the piece. Jane has a strong voice and after listening to the podcast, I could clearly hear it in the book. BUT…the voice that works in a podcast doesn’t and probably shouldn’t work in some circumstances in print. One particular example of this is her tendency to end sentences with, “…whatever that is”. It works in the podcast, it’s funny and slightly ironic. In print, it lends a cavalier, if not wholly amateurish, air to the words. Jane’s voice is strong enough in this book, an editor should have cut out those more spoken tendencies. (There’s also a big discussion to be had about how women are still told we should act like we’re not intelligent to cater to the male gaze and make them feel good…when you end sentences like this, it cuts deep into your credibility and intelligence, even if you don’t mean it that way. We shouldn’t be doing this as women/femme people in our work. Jane is a Peabody winner FFS. The editor did her dirty).
So TL;DR…it’s a great intro for people not aware of the predatory nature of MLMs. For the rest of us, there’s nothing terribly groundbreaking, but Jane’s voice (when not hampered by a shit editor) shines.
April 15, 2024
As someone who (beyond regrettably!) briefly bought into not one, but TWO 🤦🏻♀️, pyramid schemes in her life, I had high hopes for this book, but it missed the mark for me. I don’t know if I was expecting something else entirely, but I ended up skimming 80% of this book because I found most of the content just… boring. I can tell the author obviously put a lot of effort into researching the history of certain MLMs, but it wasn’t for me.
July 13, 2024
3.5 stars: I’ve been a proponent of the anti-MLM movement for a couple decades now and enjoyed the first season of the author’s podcast “The Dream” on this topic; however, her actual book was somewhat disappointing. The book is basically a rehash of her podcast, so I’d either choose one or the other. There’s some new information (like the LuLaRoe documentary and its impact), but overall it’s mostly the same thing covered in the podcast.
The book does have a lot of really good information about the history of MLMs, the history of government regulation of MLMs, why they still exist despite being “illegal”, how the business model is manipulative and deceptive, how it destroys the lives of the sellers, the MLM culture of toxic positivity, why people fall for this, etc. It covers these topics but doesn’t go as in depth as it could have. There’s not any new ideas if you’re already familiar with the overall argument.
My main issue with this book, though, is the overall casual, jokey tone that she uses. There’s all sorts of quips, including poking fun at religious and political views that disagree with her own. I just don’t think you’re going to convince people to see the light about MLMs by making fun of them. She also uses current slang that feels like she’s trying too hard to be cool and relevant and will also sound dated in a couple of years. Like describing someone as “a pretty chill hang”. While there is beginning to be a lot of anti-MLM content on social media, there’s precious little in book format. And I think this book would have worked better (for me, at least) if it had a more serious tone. She’s definitely done tons of research it; I just wish she hadn’t marred that by talking like she’s 20.
The ending also bothered me. She concludes that basically there’s nothing you can do to stop MLMs and they’re just going to keep growing and sucking people in. Oh well! But I wish she had said to stop buying from and participating in them and to teach your kids to recognize and avoid them (because most people in MLMs now are in their 20s according to her research).
But if you are new to the anti-MLM argument, this might be just the information you’re looking for. But you can also save yourself time and money by listening to the podcast.
The book does have a lot of really good information about the history of MLMs, the history of government regulation of MLMs, why they still exist despite being “illegal”, how the business model is manipulative and deceptive, how it destroys the lives of the sellers, the MLM culture of toxic positivity, why people fall for this, etc. It covers these topics but doesn’t go as in depth as it could have. There’s not any new ideas if you’re already familiar with the overall argument.
My main issue with this book, though, is the overall casual, jokey tone that she uses. There’s all sorts of quips, including poking fun at religious and political views that disagree with her own. I just don’t think you’re going to convince people to see the light about MLMs by making fun of them. She also uses current slang that feels like she’s trying too hard to be cool and relevant and will also sound dated in a couple of years. Like describing someone as “a pretty chill hang”. While there is beginning to be a lot of anti-MLM content on social media, there’s precious little in book format. And I think this book would have worked better (for me, at least) if it had a more serious tone. She’s definitely done tons of research it; I just wish she hadn’t marred that by talking like she’s 20.
The ending also bothered me. She concludes that basically there’s nothing you can do to stop MLMs and they’re just going to keep growing and sucking people in. Oh well! But I wish she had said to stop buying from and participating in them and to teach your kids to recognize and avoid them (because most people in MLMs now are in their 20s according to her research).
But if you are new to the anti-MLM argument, this might be just the information you’re looking for. But you can also save yourself time and money by listening to the podcast.
December 25, 2023
Thank you so much of an ARC of Selling The Dream! The Dream has long been one of my favorite podcasts. Jane Marie and her guests are extremely knowledgeable on the subject of MLMs, and the delivery is both cunning and savvy.
Jane Marie’s book is no exception. Her witty style, and her ability to tie readers in thanks to her journalistic expertise, absolutely transfers to Selling The Dream. I enjoyed the chronological organization of the historical MLM timeline as well as the personal stories intermingled.
What surprised me a bit is that Selling The Dream seems like season 1 of the podcast in written form. I thought (and hoped) the book would piggy-back off of the podcast and bring more fresh, original stories. The Dream covers the history of MLMs in season 1 (Holiday Magic, Avon, Amway, etc), so the early historical information felt redundant to me.
However, not everyone has listened to the podcast, and the historical information — no matter how you get it — is extremely valuable to understanding how MLMs gained traction and continue to flourish.
With that in mind, I award Selling The Dream five stars. It’s informational, witty, and timely — post-pandemic employment is still a cluster, and many people invest in MLMs not fully understanding them.
I recommend this book to anyone recovering from direct sales/MLMs, those considering joining an MLM, and anyone genuinely curious about what the “boss babe” lifestyle REALLY entails.
Jane Marie’s book is no exception. Her witty style, and her ability to tie readers in thanks to her journalistic expertise, absolutely transfers to Selling The Dream. I enjoyed the chronological organization of the historical MLM timeline as well as the personal stories intermingled.
What surprised me a bit is that Selling The Dream seems like season 1 of the podcast in written form. I thought (and hoped) the book would piggy-back off of the podcast and bring more fresh, original stories. The Dream covers the history of MLMs in season 1 (Holiday Magic, Avon, Amway, etc), so the early historical information felt redundant to me.
However, not everyone has listened to the podcast, and the historical information — no matter how you get it — is extremely valuable to understanding how MLMs gained traction and continue to flourish.
With that in mind, I award Selling The Dream five stars. It’s informational, witty, and timely — post-pandemic employment is still a cluster, and many people invest in MLMs not fully understanding them.
I recommend this book to anyone recovering from direct sales/MLMs, those considering joining an MLM, and anyone genuinely curious about what the “boss babe” lifestyle REALLY entails.
March 11, 2024
I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
"Selling the Dream" delves into the world of MLMs. As a victim of one of these so-called "dream companies," I yearned for a book that would aid in my healing after many years of brainwashing. I enjoyed the detailed exploration of some of the business model's frontrunners and appreciated getting the 'real tea' from this perspective. The book's inclusion of numerous statistics about the MLM market was enlightening, and surprisingly, the author made even these facts engaging and enjoyable to learn. The only reason I didn't award the book 5 stars (despite it being 5-star material) is personal - I longed to hear about my old MLM from this viewpoint, and its absence left me feeling somewhat deflated. However, please take this rating with a grain of salt! Jane Marie couldn't possibly include every MLM company, or she'd still be writing the book!
This book provides a captivating, easy-to-read, in-depth exploration of a world that has shattered many people's dreams while promoting a "Dream the Dream" message. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
"Selling the Dream" delves into the world of MLMs. As a victim of one of these so-called "dream companies," I yearned for a book that would aid in my healing after many years of brainwashing. I enjoyed the detailed exploration of some of the business model's frontrunners and appreciated getting the 'real tea' from this perspective. The book's inclusion of numerous statistics about the MLM market was enlightening, and surprisingly, the author made even these facts engaging and enjoyable to learn. The only reason I didn't award the book 5 stars (despite it being 5-star material) is personal - I longed to hear about my old MLM from this viewpoint, and its absence left me feeling somewhat deflated. However, please take this rating with a grain of salt! Jane Marie couldn't possibly include every MLM company, or she'd still be writing the book!
This book provides a captivating, easy-to-read, in-depth exploration of a world that has shattered many people's dreams while promoting a "Dream the Dream" message. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
May 6, 2024
I would listen to the podcast over the book—even with it having the updated perspective of the COVID MLM boom. While this is a good primer and history to MLMs, it did not go nearly as deep—as someone who has recommended the first season of the Dream podcast *a lot.* Additionally, it lacked a lot of the storytelling through lines the podcast had to give it more narrative shape and I was actually shocked the podcast’s attempts at making a business “work” with Limelight were never even brought up. For someone not deep down the rabbit hole, I don’t know how engaging this is because, even while it calls of the commonalities, it doesn’t call on them consistently. And for those who are deep down the rabbit hole, it doesn’t particularly provide new information, though it is nice to have some the history written down more formally.
Maybe it’s just that I’m not going to find that one book that touches on everything. Nor do I expect it to as a book should have focus—but the focus, the “so what”— felt somewhat lacking here in comparison to other projects. Not a waste of time by any means, but definitely a borrow over a buy.
Maybe it’s just that I’m not going to find that one book that touches on everything. Nor do I expect it to as a book should have focus—but the focus, the “so what”— felt somewhat lacking here in comparison to other projects. Not a waste of time by any means, but definitely a borrow over a buy.
February 20, 2024
Selling the Dream: The Billion Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans by Jane Marie is thought provoking, well researched book on the history of multi-level-marketing (MLM). Although this book is classified as a Biography & Memoir, I felt that a more accurate classification would be a History or Sociology book. Marie explains how MLMs originated in the US in the 19th century and how these organizations over time have become highly profitable to the owners while resulting in financial losses for the vast majority of those who join the organization as associates. Citing sociological research, Marie explains how MLMs target stay at home moms, especially those who are religious. I found the book to be fascinating and really appreciated that Marie weaves in her own personality and humor. In addition to the historic examples outlined, several recent case studies help to solidify the thesis of the book about the detriment of MLMs to nearly everyone involved other than the owners.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2024
Once upon a time I was a corporate employee for a popular MLM in Southern California, where I witnessed first hand the cunning tactics MLMs employ to give people "the opportunity of a lifetime". This is where the seeds of my fascination & hatred of MLMs started. In part of her book, Jane Marie provides a fascinating retrospective of the MLMs that boomed in the 60's & 70's that serve as the strong stone pillars for the MLMs of today. The history of Avon, Tupperware, Amway, Nutrilite, Holiday Magic and their charismatic leaders are captivating. This history is paralleled with the advent of social media, the rapid evolution of toxic positivity, the facade of empowerment and cult-like behavior that particularity preys on and exploits women, minorities, and the economically disadvantaged. Marie also explains crucial legal cases by government agencies such as the FTC and the ever growing contstraints they are facing as MLMs have big pockets to buy all our politicians. It's important writing such as this to spotlight a particular brand of insidious American capitalism.
June 7, 2024
I previewed this book as a potential addition to a class I teach on dark sides of organizational communication. This one didn't make the cut. Here, we have lots of personal narrative about the author's experiences being taken in by pyramid schemes, but not much else in the way of fact. The major issue for me is how much Jane Marie gets flat out wrong. I'll start with her characterization of the Green River Ordinance (which blocked door-to-door salespeople) as a a racist law meant to keep immigrants from a chance to make money in sales. Okay, Jane Marie, take a seat while I, a born and raised, sixth-generation Green River, Wyoming kid, school you. The Green River Ordinance was not rooted, as you so boldly claim, in racism. Rather, the city of origin (Green River, Wyoming -- the ordinance was later implemented in cities and towns nationwide) was largely driven by shift work - men worked on the railroad and, in neighboring Rock Springs, in mines round the clock in shifts, and many were day sleepers. Having the Fuller Brush man (btw, many of whom were white, interrupting the sleep of the immigrants who moved to Wyo. to work on the rail or mines) bang on your door and interrupt your sleep after an overnight shift of hard labor was a nuisance and a plague. This is but one example of sweeping generalizations made in this book that do little to really show much of use about pyramid schemes. I can't get past the assumptions and factual errors that detract from the point of the book.
January 5, 2024
Award-winning journalist Jane Marie of the investigative podcast The Dream delves deep into the world of multilevel marketing, or MLMs. Selling the Dream is incredibly well researched, presenting an exhaustive history of the origins of MLMs, all the way back before Earl Tupper and Brownie Wise brought their durable and innovative plastic containers and their party selling scheme to the masses. The narrative skillfully depicts how a long history of hucksters and snake oil salesmen gave rise to the MLMs of today: Mary Kay ladies, Beachbody coaches, Herbalife nutrition shops, and stay-at-home moms shilling garish LuLaRoe leggings.
I’ve been morbidly fascinated by MLMs for the better part of a decade, wondering how and why people (overwhelmingly women) buy into the false promises of wealth and success. Jane Marie presents a meticulously investigated backstory of MLMs, complete with the economic and social factors that created an environment for these insidious companies to flourish. Although I’ve read a lot about MLMs, this was the first time I’ve seen such a well-documented analysis of how politics and government agencies figure into the mix, including how the FTC became powerless to regulate the industry and how MLM companies skirt the letter of previous rulings. Although the amount of information is comprehensive, the author keeps the reader engaged by serving it all up with a witty side of snark.
If you enjoyed The Dream podcast, the book “Hey Hun” by Emily Lynn Paulson, or documentaries like “LuLaRich” or “Betting on Zero”, you’ll likely enjoy this deep exploration of MLM history and culture. Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.
I’ve been morbidly fascinated by MLMs for the better part of a decade, wondering how and why people (overwhelmingly women) buy into the false promises of wealth and success. Jane Marie presents a meticulously investigated backstory of MLMs, complete with the economic and social factors that created an environment for these insidious companies to flourish. Although I’ve read a lot about MLMs, this was the first time I’ve seen such a well-documented analysis of how politics and government agencies figure into the mix, including how the FTC became powerless to regulate the industry and how MLM companies skirt the letter of previous rulings. Although the amount of information is comprehensive, the author keeps the reader engaged by serving it all up with a witty side of snark.
If you enjoyed The Dream podcast, the book “Hey Hun” by Emily Lynn Paulson, or documentaries like “LuLaRich” or “Betting on Zero”, you’ll likely enjoy this deep exploration of MLM history and culture. Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.
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