Fishman, Charles

Discusses the central role of water in life on Earth, looks at how people's lack of awareness of water has led to a crisis in the United States and around the world, and argues there is an abundance of water available if people can learn to rethink how they approach and use the resource.

Discusses how the Wal-Mart stores conduct their business and change the economic picture of communities as well as the lives of workers. Describes how their low prices have created terms for how other corporations also do their business, and shift costs to suppliers. Argues that Wal-Mart may cause poverty when they enter a town for the first time and become part of a large economic ecosystem.

Examines the power Wal-Mart holds in the business world, in communities, and in the American economy, discussing academic studies, interviewing former Wal-Mart executives and managers at Wal-Mart suppliers about the company's business practices, and exploring questions the company's unique form of success raises about future business ethics and American values.