Reviews
"This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." -- Publishers Weekly "Eye-opening . . . [Minter is] an excellent guide to this sprawling and bewildering trade." -- Wall Street Journal on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter successfully resists oversimplifying the issue China currently faces--with a growing middle class demanding more raw material for new construction, the options are living with the pollution caused by recycling or the environmental consequences of mining for raw materials . . . Minter concludes that the solution is in the first word in the phrase, 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.'" -- Publishers Weekly on JUNKYARD PLANET "A detailed view of a mostly unknown business that touches the lives of everyone, whether or not they ever dragged a trash and/or recycle bin out to the curb." -- Kirkus Reviews on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter is here to tell you that there's big money to be made in what American consumers and industries throw away. As he travels the world from Houston to Guangzhou, surveying the debris and discards that fill scrap yards and warehouses, Minter takes the reader into a world of commodities trading that is every bit as lucrative and cutthroat as anything on Wall Street. The son of a scrap man, Minter brings an insider's knowledge and appreciation for an industry that no one thinks about, everyone contributes to, and a lucky few profit from." -- Booklist on JUNKYARD PLANET "A satisfying investigation-cum-travelogue." -- Mother Jones on JUNKYARD PLANET "Fascinating." -- Atlantic Cities on JUNKYARD PLANET "Lively and entertaining . . . Junkyard Planet is a book for anyone interested in the environment, the economics of recycling, or a thoughtful look at the consumption we take for granted." -- Brooklyn Bugle on JUNKYARD PLANET "Superbly researched." -- Financial Times on JUNKYARD PLANET, "In an accessible and engaging style, Secondhand unravels the complexities of a vast yet mostly hidden and often secretive enterprise of used clothes and goods . . . The result is an unparalleled look at the lifespan of everyday things and the unexpected ways our society's abundance of discarded items are, refreshingly, being repurposed for a second life." -- Shelf Awareness "A sprawling, insightful travelogue through the world of repair, reuse and waste, Secondhand takes readers deep inside the consumer economy's back end. In exploring the vast global tide of used and discarded goods, Adam Minter delivers a book as crammed with oddities and gems as the second-hand shops he loves to haunt." -- Nature "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." -- Publishers Weekly "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." -- Library Journal "In Minter's capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff." -- Booklist "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terrifying, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." -- Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "A well balanced blend of practical data, real-life experiences, colourful character descriptions and amusing anecdotes. An interesting read for people inside as well as outside the recycling industry." -- Recycling International "Eye-opening . . . [Minter is] an excellent guide to this sprawling and bewildering trade." -- Wall Street Journal on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter successfully resists oversimplifying the issue China currently faces--with a growing middle class demanding more raw material for new construction, the options are living with the pollution caused by recycling or the environmental consequences of mining for raw materials . . . Minter concludes that the solution is in the first word in the phrase, 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.'" -- Publishers Weekly on JUNKYARD PLANET "A detailed view of a mostly unknown business that touches the lives of everyone, whether or not they ever dragged a trash and/or recycle bin out to the curb." -- Kirkus Reviews on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter is here to tell you that there's big money to be made in what American consumers and industries throw away. As he travels the world from Houston to Guangzhou, surveying the debris and discards that fill scrap yards and warehouses, Minter takes the reader into a world of commodities trading that is every bit as lucrative and cutthroat as anything on Wall Street. The son of a scrap man, Minter brings an insider's knowledge and appreciation for an industry that no one thinks about, everyone contributes to, and a lucky few profit from." -- Booklist on JUNKYARD PLANET "A satisfying investigation-cum-travelogue." -- Mother Jones on JUNKYARD PLANET "Fascinating." -- Atlantic Cities on JUNKYARD PLANET "Lively and entertaining . . . Junkyard Planet is a book for anyone interested in the environment, the economics of recycling, or a thoughtful look at the consumption we take for granted." -- Brooklyn Bugle on JUNKYARD PLANET "Superbly researched." -- Financial Times on JUNKYARD PLANET, "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terryfing, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." -- Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." -- Publishers Weekly "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." -- Library Journal "In Minter's capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff." -- Booklist "Eye-opening . . . [Minter is] an excellent guide to this sprawling and bewildering trade." -- Wall Street Journal on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter successfully resists oversimplifying the issue China currently faces--with a growing middle class demanding more raw material for new construction, the options are living with the pollution caused by recycling or the environmental consequences of mining for raw materials . . . Minter concludes that the solution is in the first word in the phrase, 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.'" -- Publishers Weekly on JUNKYARD PLANET "A detailed view of a mostly unknown business that touches the lives of everyone, whether or not they ever dragged a trash and/or recycle bin out to the curb." -- Kirkus Reviews on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter is here to tell you that there's big money to be made in what American consumers and industries throw away. As he travels the world from Houston to Guangzhou, surveying the debris and discards that fill scrap yards and warehouses, Minter takes the reader into a world of commodities trading that is every bit as lucrative and cutthroat as anything on Wall Street. The son of a scrap man, Minter brings an insider's knowledge and appreciation for an industry that no one thinks about, everyone contributes to, and a lucky few profit from." -- Booklist on JUNKYARD PLANET "A satisfying investigation-cum-travelogue." -- Mother Jones on JUNKYARD PLANET "Fascinating." -- Atlantic Cities on JUNKYARD PLANET "Lively and entertaining . . . Junkyard Planet is a book for anyone interested in the environment, the economics of recycling, or a thoughtful look at the consumption we take for granted." -- Brooklyn Bugle on JUNKYARD PLANET "Superbly researched." -- Financial Times on JUNKYARD PLANET, "In an accessible and engaging style, Secondhand unravels the complexities of a vast yet mostly hidden and often secretive enterprise of used clothes and goods . . . The result is an unparalleled look at the lifespan of everyday things and the unexpected ways our society's abundance of discarded items are, refreshingly, being repurposed for a second life." -- Shelf Awareness "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terrifying, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." -- Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." -- Publishers Weekly "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." -- Library Journal "In Minter's capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff." -- Booklist "A well balanced blend of practical data, real-life experiences, colourful character descriptions and amusing anecdotes. An interesting read for people inside as well as outside the recycling industry." -- Recycling International "Eye-opening . . . [Minter is] an excellent guide to this sprawling and bewildering trade." -- Wall Street Journal on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter successfully resists oversimplifying the issue China currently faces--with a growing middle class demanding more raw material for new construction, the options are living with the pollution caused by recycling or the environmental consequences of mining for raw materials . . . Minter concludes that the solution is in the first word in the phrase, 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.'" -- Publishers Weekly on JUNKYARD PLANET "A detailed view of a mostly unknown business that touches the lives of everyone, whether or not they ever dragged a trash and/or recycle bin out to the curb." -- Kirkus Reviews on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter is here to tell you that there's big money to be made in what American consumers and industries throw away. As he travels the world from Houston to Guangzhou, surveying the debris and discards that fill scrap yards and warehouses, Minter takes the reader into a world of commodities trading that is every bit as lucrative and cutthroat as anything on Wall Street. The son of a scrap man, Minter brings an insider's knowledge and appreciation for an industry that no one thinks about, everyone contributes to, and a lucky few profit from." -- Booklist on JUNKYARD PLANET "A satisfying investigation-cum-travelogue." -- Mother Jones on JUNKYARD PLANET "Fascinating." -- Atlantic Cities on JUNKYARD PLANET "Lively and entertaining . . . Junkyard Planet is a book for anyone interested in the environment, the economics of recycling, or a thoughtful look at the consumption we take for granted." -- Brooklyn Bugle on JUNKYARD PLANET "Superbly researched." -- Financial Times on JUNKYARD PLANET, "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terrifying, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." -- Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." -- Publishers Weekly "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." -- Library Journal "In Minter's capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff." -- Booklist "A well balanced blend of practical data, real-life experiences, colourful character descriptions and amusing anecdotes. An interesting read for people inside as well as outside the recycling industry." -- Recycling International "Eye-opening . . . [Minter is] an excellent guide to this sprawling and bewildering trade." -- Wall Street Journal on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter successfully resists oversimplifying the issue China currently faces--with a growing middle class demanding more raw material for new construction, the options are living with the pollution caused by recycling or the environmental consequences of mining for raw materials . . . Minter concludes that the solution is in the first word in the phrase, 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.'" -- Publishers Weekly on JUNKYARD PLANET "A detailed view of a mostly unknown business that touches the lives of everyone, whether or not they ever dragged a trash and/or recycle bin out to the curb." -- Kirkus Reviews on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter is here to tell you that there's big money to be made in what American consumers and industries throw away. As he travels the world from Houston to Guangzhou, surveying the debris and discards that fill scrap yards and warehouses, Minter takes the reader into a world of commodities trading that is every bit as lucrative and cutthroat as anything on Wall Street. The son of a scrap man, Minter brings an insider's knowledge and appreciation for an industry that no one thinks about, everyone contributes to, and a lucky few profit from." -- Booklist on JUNKYARD PLANET "A satisfying investigation-cum-travelogue." -- Mother Jones on JUNKYARD PLANET "Fascinating." -- Atlantic Cities on JUNKYARD PLANET "Lively and entertaining . . . Junkyard Planet is a book for anyone interested in the environment, the economics of recycling, or a thoughtful look at the consumption we take for granted." -- Brooklyn Bugle on JUNKYARD PLANET "Superbly researched." -- Financial Times on JUNKYARD PLANET, "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terryfing, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." -- Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." -- Publishers Weekly "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." -- Library Journal "Eye-opening . . . [Minter is] an excellent guide to this sprawling and bewildering trade." -- Wall Street Journal on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter successfully resists oversimplifying the issue China currently faces--with a growing middle class demanding more raw material for new construction, the options are living with the pollution caused by recycling or the environmental consequences of mining for raw materials . . . Minter concludes that the solution is in the first word in the phrase, 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.'" -- Publishers Weekly on JUNKYARD PLANET "A detailed view of a mostly unknown business that touches the lives of everyone, whether or not they ever dragged a trash and/or recycle bin out to the curb." -- Kirkus Reviews on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter is here to tell you that there's big money to be made in what American consumers and industries throw away. As he travels the world from Houston to Guangzhou, surveying the debris and discards that fill scrap yards and warehouses, Minter takes the reader into a world of commodities trading that is every bit as lucrative and cutthroat as anything on Wall Street. The son of a scrap man, Minter brings an insider's knowledge and appreciation for an industry that no one thinks about, everyone contributes to, and a lucky few profit from." -- Booklist on JUNKYARD PLANET "A satisfying investigation-cum-travelogue." -- Mother Jones on JUNKYARD PLANET "Fascinating." -- Atlantic Cities on JUNKYARD PLANET "Lively and entertaining . . . Junkyard Planet is a book for anyone interested in the environment, the economics of recycling, or a thoughtful look at the consumption we take for granted." -- Brooklyn Bugle on JUNKYARD PLANET "Superbly researched." -- Financial Times on JUNKYARD PLANET, "Eye-opening . . . [Minter is] an excellent guide to this sprawling and bewildering trade." -- Wall Street Journal on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter successfully resists oversimplifying the issue China currently faces--with a growing middle class demanding more raw material for new construction, the options are living with the pollution caused by recycling or the environmental consequences of mining for raw materials . . . Minter concludes that the solution is in the first word in the phrase, 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.'" -- Publishers Weekly on JUNKYARD PLANET "A detailed view of a mostly unknown business that touches the lives of everyone, whether or not they ever dragged a trash and/or recycle bin out to the curb." -- Kirkus Reviews on JUNKYARD PLANET "A satisfying investigation-cum-travelogue." -- Mother Jones on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter is here to tell you that there's big money to be made in what American consumers and industries throw away. As he travels the world from Houston to Guangzhou, surveying the debris and discards that fill scrap yards and warehouses, Minter takes the reader into a world of commodities trading that is every bit as lucrative and cutthroat as anything on Wall Street. The son of a scrap man, Minter brings an insider's knowledge and appreciation for an industry that no one thinks about, everyone contributes to, and a lucky few profit from." -- Booklist on JUNKYARD PLANET "Fascinating." -- Atlantic Cities on JUNKYARD PLANET "Lively and entertaining . . . Junkyard Planet is a book for anyone interested in the environment, the economics of recycling, or a thoughtful look at the consumption we take for granted." -- Brooklyn Bugle on JUNKYARD PLANET "Superbly researched." -- Financial Times on JUNKYARD PLANET, "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terryfing, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." -- Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." -- Publishers Weekly "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." -- Library Journal "In Minter's capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff." -- Booklist "A well balanced blend of practical data, real-life experiences, colourful character descriptions and amusing anecdotes. An interesting read for people inside as well as outside the recycling industry." -- Recycling International "Eye-opening . . . [Minter is] an excellent guide to this sprawling and bewildering trade." -- Wall Street Journal on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter successfully resists oversimplifying the issue China currently faces--with a growing middle class demanding more raw material for new construction, the options are living with the pollution caused by recycling or the environmental consequences of mining for raw materials . . . Minter concludes that the solution is in the first word in the phrase, 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.'" -- Publishers Weekly on JUNKYARD PLANET "A detailed view of a mostly unknown business that touches the lives of everyone, whether or not they ever dragged a trash and/or recycle bin out to the curb." -- Kirkus Reviews on JUNKYARD PLANET "Minter is here to tell you that there's big money to be made in what American consumers and industries throw away. As he travels the world from Houston to Guangzhou, surveying the debris and discards that fill scrap yards and warehouses, Minter takes the reader into a world of commodities trading that is every bit as lucrative and cutthroat as anything on Wall Street. The son of a scrap man, Minter brings an insider's knowledge and appreciation for an industry that no one thinks about, everyone contributes to, and a lucky few profit from." -- Booklist on JUNKYARD PLANET "A satisfying investigation-cum-travelogue." -- Mother Jones on JUNKYARD PLANET "Fascinating." -- Atlantic Cities on JUNKYARD PLANET "Lively and entertaining . . . Junkyard Planet is a book for anyone interested in the environment, the economics of recycling, or a thoughtful look at the consumption we take for granted." -- Brooklyn Bugle on JUNKYARD PLANET "Superbly researched." -- Financial Times on JUNKYARD PLANET, "With grace, a keen eye for detail, an interesting cast of characters who spend their life reselling used things, and the perennially curious mind of a great journalist, Minter takes readers from the backs of thrift stores all across the United States to small apartments and vintage shops in Tokyo, and from a truck in Mexico to an office in Mumbai, to show the inner workings of one of the world's largest market . . . Secondhand is a gripping narrative. Minter is a superb storyteller who knows empathy is easier to connect with than numbers. In this book, there are plenty of both, but the people he interviews and the stories he tells are what make it an enthralling read . . . It's a book I'd recommend buying now instead of waiting for it to show up at your local thrift store." - NPR.org "In an accessible and engaging style, Secondhand unravels the complexities of a vast yet mostly hidden and often secretive enterprise of used clothes and goods . . . The result is an unparalleled look at the lifespan of everyday things and the unexpected ways our society's abundance of discarded items are, refreshingly, being repurposed for a second life." - Shelf Awareness "A sprawling, insightful travelogue through the world of repair, reuse and waste, Secondhand takes readers deep inside the consumer economy's back end. In exploring the vast global tide of used and discarded goods, Adam Minter delivers a book as crammed with oddities and gems as the second-hand shops he loves to haunt." - Nature "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." - Publishers Weekly "An anthem to decluttering, recycling, making better quality goods and living a simpler life with less stuff. The book is a compelling argument for tempering acquisitions, especially now that global warming compels people to rethink how they live." - Associated Press "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." - Library Journal In Minter's capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff. - Booklist "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terrifying, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." - Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "A well balanced blend of practical data, real-life experiences, colourful character descriptions and amusing anecdotes. An interesting read for people inside as well as outside the recycling industry." - Recycling International "Minter tells stories and offers insight suffused with legitimacy, pragmatism, and optimism." - Science, "With grace, a keen eye for detail, an interesting cast of characters who spend their life reselling used things, and the perennially curious mind of a great journalist, Minter takes readers from the backs of thrift stores all across the United States to small apartments and vintage shops in Tokyo, and from a truck in Mexico to an office in Mumbai, to show the inner workings of one of the world's largest market . . . Secondhand is a gripping narrative. Minter is a superb storyteller who knows empathy is easier to connect with than numbers. In this book, there are plenty of both, but the people he interviews and the stories he tells are what make it an enthralling read . . . It's a book I'd recommend buying now instead of waiting for it to show up at your local thrift store." - NPR.org "In an accessible and engaging style, Secondhand unravels the complexities of a vast yet mostly hidden and often secretive enterprise of used clothes and goods . . . The result is an unparalleled look at the lifespan of everyday things and the unexpected ways our society's abundance of discarded items are, refreshingly, being repurposed for a second life." - Shelf Awareness "A sprawling, insightful travelogue through the world of repair, reuse and waste, Secondhand takes readers deep inside the consumer economy's back end. In exploring the vast global tide of used and discarded goods, Adam Minter delivers a book as crammed with oddities and gems as the second-hand shops he loves to haunt." - Nature "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." - Publishers Weekly "An anthem to decluttering, recycling, making better quality goods and living a simpler life with less stuff. The book is a compelling argument for tempering acquisitions, especially now that global warming compels people to rethink how they live." - Associated Press "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." - Library Journal In Minter's capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff. - Booklist "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terrifying, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." - Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "A well balanced blend of practical data, real-life experiences, colourful character descriptions and amusing anecdotes. An interesting read for people inside as well as outside the recycling industry." - Recycling International "Minter tells stories and offers insight suffused with legitimacy, pragmatism, and optimism." - Science "Secondhand tells an important story about consumerism gone wild, the complex industry that has grown around its detritus, and how we can push back on an entrenched culture of disposability." - New York Journal of Books "Minter's approach manages to be both detail-orientated and a page-turner."- Foreign Policy, "With grace, a keen eye for detail, an interesting cast of characters who spend their life reselling used things, and the perennially curious mind of a great journalist, Minter takes readers from the backs of thrift stores all across the United States to small apartments and vintage shops in Tokyo, and from a truck in Mexico to an office in Mumbai, to show the inner workings of one of the world's largest market . . . Secondhand is a gripping narrative. Minter is a superb storyteller who knows empathy is easier to connect with than numbers. In this book, there are plenty of both, but the people he interviews and the stories he tells are what make it an enthralling read . . . It's a book I'd recommend buying now instead of waiting for it to show up at your local thrift store." - NPR.org "In an accessible and engaging style, Secondhand unravels the complexities of a vast yet mostly hidden and often secretive enterprise of used clothes and goods . . . The result is an unparalleled look at the lifespan of everyday things and the unexpected ways our society's abundance of discarded items are, refreshingly, being repurposed for a second life." - Shelf Awareness "A sprawling, insightful travelogue through the world of repair, reuse and waste, Secondhand takes readers deep inside the consumer economy's back end. In exploring the vast global tide of used and discarded goods, Adam Minter delivers a book as crammed with oddities and gems as the second-hand shops he loves to haunt." - Nature "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." - Publishers Weekly "An anthem to decluttering, recycling, making better quality goods and living a simpler life with less stuff. The book is a compelling argument for tempering acquisitions, especially now that global warming compels people to rethink how they live." - Associated Press "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." - Library Journal In Minter's capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff. - Booklist "Minter's travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terrifying, but, ultimately, hopeful. 'Secondhand' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." - Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "A well balanced blend of practical data, real-life experiences, colourful character descriptions and amusing anecdotes. An interesting read for people inside as well as outside the recycling industry." - Recycling International "Minter tells stories and offers insight suffused with legitimacy, pragmatism, and optimism." - Science "Secondhand tells an important story about consumerism gone wild, the complex industry that has grown around its detritus, and how we can push back on an entrenched culture of disposability." - New York Journal of Books "Minter's approach manages to be both detail-orientated and a page-turner."- Foreign Policy "An epic journey across continents to untangle the used-goods market. Minter reports his findings in a readable style laced with anecdotes and statistics...Minter's greatest contribution is his balanced look at the economies of India, Ghana and other countries that have figured out that most things can have a second consumer life, if only we let them." - The Providence Journal "[Minter's] new book moves up a step in the classic environmental hierarchy of 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,' to see what becomes of our stuff once we let go of it." - Sierra, "With grace, a keen eye for detail, an interesting cast of characters who spend their life reselling used things, and the perennially curious mind of a great journalist, Minter takes readers from the backs of thrift stores all across the United States to small apartments and vintage shops in Tokyo, and from a truck in Mexico to an office in Mumbai, to show the inner workings of one of the world''s largest market . . . Secondhand is a gripping narrative. Minter is a superb storyteller who knows empathy is easier to connect with than numbers. In this book, there are plenty of both, but the people he interviews and the stories he tells are what make it an enthralling read . . . It''s a book I''d recommend buying now instead of waiting for it to show up at your local thrift store." - NPR.org "In an accessible and engaging style, Secondhand unravels the complexities of a vast yet mostly hidden and often secretive enterprise of used clothes and goods . . . The result is an unparalleled look at the lifespan of everyday things and the unexpected ways our society''s abundance of discarded items are, refreshingly, being repurposed for a second life." - Shelf Awareness "A sprawling, insightful travelogue through the world of repair, reuse and waste, Secondhand takes readers deep inside the consumer economy''s back end. In exploring the vast global tide of used and discarded goods, Adam Minter delivers a book as crammed with oddities and gems as the second-hand shops he loves to haunt." - Nature "This is a fascinating, eye-opening look at a dynamic, largely unseen world that only starts when one drops off something at a thrift store." - Publishers Weekly "An anthem to decluttering, recycling, making better quality goods and living a simpler life with less stuff. The book is a compelling argument for tempering acquisitions, especially now that global warming compels people to rethink how they live." - Associated Press "Engaging . . . well-written and packed with intriguing details, this is a great look at a global industry to which virtually all of us contribute." - Library Journal In Minter''s capable hands, [this] topic comes alive...Minter designs a workable path forward to combat the glut of stuff. - Booklist "Minter''s travels through the afterlife of stuff are revelatory, terrifying, but, ultimately, hopeful. ''Secondhand'' helps us to see a world of possibility in the objects we discard." - Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction "A well balanced blend of practical data, real-life experiences, colourful character descriptions and amusing anecdotes. An interesting read for people inside as well as outside the recycling industry." - Recycling International "Minter tells stories and offers insight suffused with legitimacy, pragmatism, and optimism." - Science "Secondhand tells an important story about consumerism gone wild, the complex industry that has grown around its detritus, and how we can push back on an entrenched culture of disposability." - New York Journal of Books "Minter''s approach manages to be both detail-orientated and a page-turner."- Foreign Policy "An epic journey across continents to untangle the used-goods market. Minter reports his findings in a readable style laced with anecdotes and statistics...Minter''s greatest contribution is his balanced look at the economies of India, Ghana and other countries that have figured out that most things can have a second consumer life, if only we let them." - The Providence Journal "[Minter''s] new book moves up a step in the classic environmental hierarchy of ''Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,'' to see what becomes of our stuff once we let go of it." - Sierra "Fascinating...Minter anchors his globe-spanning tale of material redemption on two themes: why we hesitate to send our goods straight to the landfill, and the extent to which others can actually acquire and use them." - Christianity Today
