The Wal-Mart effect : how the world's most powerful company really works-- and how it's transforming the American economy / Charles Fishman.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-283) and index.

Wal-Mart is not just the world's largest company--it is the largest company in the history of the world. It is estimated that the company's low prices save American consumers $10 billion a year--but the #1 employer in 37 states has never let a union in the door. Though 70% of Americans now live within a 15-minute drive of a Wal-Mart, we have not even begun to understand the true power of the company. We know about the lawsuits and the labour protests, but what we don't know is how profoundly the "Wal-Mart effect" is changing our America's economy, our workforce, our communities, and our environment. Journalist Fishman takes us on a behind-the-scenes investigative expedition, interviewing 25 high-level ex-executives and a host of Wal-Mart's suppliers, and journeying to the ports and factories where Wal-Mart's power is warping the very structure of the world's market.--From publisher description.

Who knew shopping was so important? -- Sam Walton's ten-pound bass -- Makin bacon, a Wal-Mart fairy tale -- The squeeze -- The man who said no to Wal-Mart -- What do we actually know about Wal-Mart? -- Salmon, shirts, and the meaning of low prices -- The power of pennies -- Wal-Mart and the decent society -- Epilogue: Peoria, September 2005.