What’s this about?
Rivoli recounts a time in her life when she mapped out the family tree of a T-shirt (one she sees on vacation in Florida) based on an urge born from a 1999 World Trade Organization protest question: “Who made your T-shirt?” She does a wonderful job engaging the reader by constantly instilling a question of “Where does the T-shirt really come from?” First we think it’s from China, then Texas’s cotton farms, and maybe Tanzania. Along the way she answers each question that arises almost as if she’s having a conversation with us as we turn each page.
You may be wondering by the end of the first chapter, “Wait, why would we use cotton from Texas instead of cotton from China?” I’ll bet you didn’t know that slavery is a big part of why and from there it was hard for anyone else to catch up. Interested yet? Economics may sound dull, but who doesn’t like a good mystery novel? I love economics which was why I picked up this book… but it’s STILL good. I promise. Even if you don’t like economics.
Why should I care?
Did you know that the US cotton industry is so heavily subsidized that the US cotton farmers get more than twice what the price is in the global economy? The US cotton industry is the only industry that gets paid twice what the item they are selling is worth, are insured if it fails, insured if the price drops, paid before it’s consumed and even paid in the off seasons. Third world countries can’t compete. The US cotton industry makes sure of it. Sounds odd for a country that prides itself on helping other countries right? Well if you care about what I’ve just said, that’s why you should care about this book.
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As I read back over this report I was emboldened to answer this question “Why should I care?” not as if you’re asking me but rather as if I’m asking myself — Why should I care? I care because I want to know why are people inspired to protest. Why are businesses driven by the bottom line? Some of these seem so easy to me, but this book definitely introduced a new view point. The truly free market in Africa, where the T-shirt ends up, inspired me as an entrepeneur and future businessman. I always donate my clothes whenever I’m tired of them, and to know where they end up and how they are bought and sold is that much more interesting to me. Especially seeing how polluted the market is by governments and politicians along the way.
Are there any weaknesses?
Rivoli didn’t leave many weaknesses in the book. While I found myself agreeing with all of her conjectures if we look at the book objectively she does exert bias towards politicians and specifically to the Bush family. I think Bush is “up” to around 75% disapproval rating but regardless an author of an economic book should try and be as objective as possible and non biased towards the subject. As she didn’t need to add in these opinions, I’m assuming the book was as much for her as it was for us. When I’m in agreement with someone it is much harder to see the other side of the discussion and in this case I had to really think about how I would tear holes in this books logic. The problem is that Rivoli didn’t do much to interview politicians or lobbyists involved in the farming and textile industry. In order to mount a stronger argument for her cause, she would definitely need to interview the politicians allowing them to defend themselves.
Further Thoughts
I was very happy with each book I selected and as my last book before China, Travels of a T-shirt was just as enjoyable as Collapse. I wasn’t as eager to read The World is Flat. I think that was mainly due to the frustration I had with how often Friedman mentioned “flatteners”. Travels was on par with Collapse as far as entertainment and business value. I love economics and this book didn’t disappoint me. The trip around the world and personal view through the history of US cotton and textile industry was new to me.
Since this book was read to prepare me for my travels to India and China I feel it noteworthy to mention that China is discussed in the book. China’s constantly under fire for offering cheaper wages and polluting the environment. Normally we see a focus on those two areas (or have in Collapse and The World is Flat) but in Travels of a T-shirt, Ravoli concentrates on the individuals. A refreshing view and one that is truly inspirational. The prospect of improving someone’s life, whether their human rights are violated or not, their life now is still better than what they had before and it is a step in the right direction.