📖 Overview
The Curse of Bigness examines the history of monopolies, antitrust law, and corporate concentration in America from the Gilded Age through the present day. Through focused analysis of key historical figures and legal battles, Wu traces how approaches to corporate power have evolved over time.
Wu presents detailed accounts of Theodore Roosevelt's trust-busting campaigns and Louis Brandeis's influential work on competition law. The narrative moves through the 20th century's shifts in antitrust enforcement, from aggressive regulation to a more hands-off Chicago School approach.
The book connects historical patterns to current debates about tech giants and corporate consolidation in the modern economy. Wu analyzes specific cases and policy decisions that have shaped today's market landscape.
This concise history argues that excessive economic concentration poses fundamental threats to democratic society and individual liberty. The work frames antitrust law as a critical tool for preserving both market competition and democratic values.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Wu's clear explanation of antitrust history and monopoly power, with many noting its relevance to current tech giants. Multiple reviewers mention the book's accessibility and concise length (around 150 pages).
Readers highlight Wu's analysis of Louis Brandeis's philosophy and the parallels between the Gilded Age and today's corporate concentration. One reader wrote: "Wu connects historical dots that help explain our current predicament."
Common criticisms include:
- Too brief/surface-level treatment of complex topics
- Limited discussion of potential solutions
- Focus mainly on US cases rather than global perspective
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.4/5 (250+ ratings)
Some readers note the book reads more like an extended essay than a comprehensive study. As one Amazon reviewer stated: "Good primer on antitrust, but lacks depth needed for serious policy discussion."
The book's brevity receives both praise as "accessible" and criticism as "incomplete" across review platforms.
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Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy by Matt Stoller Traces the century-long battle between democratic forces and corporate concentration in American economic life from the Gilded Age through the present.
The Myth of Capitalism: Monopolies and the Death of Competition by Jonathan Tepper, Denise Hearn Documents how increased market concentration and corporate consolidation have transformed the modern American economy and reduced market competition.
The Antitrust Paradigm: Restoring a Competitive Economy by Jonathan Baker Presents the historical development of antitrust law and outlines a framework for competition policy in the modern digital economy.
Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas Examines how modern market concentration has created a new class of corporate elite who maintain power while presenting themselves as social change agents.
Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy by Matt Stoller Traces the century-long battle between democratic forces and corporate concentration in American economic life from the Gilded Age through the present.
The Myth of Capitalism: Monopolies and the Death of Competition by Jonathan Tepper, Denise Hearn Documents how increased market concentration and corporate consolidation have transformed the modern American economy and reduced market competition.
The Antitrust Paradigm: Restoring a Competitive Economy by Jonathan Baker Presents the historical development of antitrust law and outlines a framework for competition policy in the modern digital economy.
Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas Examines how modern market concentration has created a new class of corporate elite who maintain power while presenting themselves as social change agents.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔷 Author Tim Wu coined the term "net neutrality" in 2003 and has been a prominent advocate for an open internet, serving as a senior advisor to the Federal Trade Commission.
🔷 The book's title pays homage to Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, who warned about the dangers of oversized corporations and coined the phrase "the curse of bigness" in the early 20th century.
🔷 The antitrust movement discussed in the book was so powerful that by 1911, Standard Oil was split into 34 separate companies, including what would become Chevron, ExxonMobil, and parts of BP.
🔷 The book reveals that in the late 1930s, Nazi Germany had more monopolies and cartels than any other major nation, which Hitler viewed as useful tools for controlling the economy.
🔷 Despite being a relatively slim volume at 154 pages, The Curse of Bigness covers over 200 years of economic history, from Alexander Hamilton's time to modern tech giants like Facebook and Google.