Uberland

“Alex Rosenblat explores the increasingly unstable and unpredictable nature of work in America through an in-depth look at Uber’s questionable labor and technology practices. We had not fully witnessed the downside of management by algorithm until this book—a must-read for anyone interested in the topic.”—Chris Hughes, cofounder of Facebook, cochair of the Economic Security Project, and author of Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn

“Read Uberland to see how Rosenblat reverse engineers Uber to expose its machinations to become our gig overlord. There is no better analysis anywhere.”—Lawrence Mishel, Distinguished Fellow, Economic Policy Institute

“Ever wonder what life is like for an Uber driver and where rideshare fits into today’s economy? Rosenblat’s compelling narrative takes us deeper than any book before it, so you’re in for a treat. You won’t be able to put Uberland down.”—H. Luke Shaefer, coauthorof $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America

“Uber represents everything that has gone terribly wrong with Silicon Valley ideology. It treats people as sources of data rather than as customers, workers, or human beings. It flaunts laws and regulations, not even asking for forgiveness once it gets caught. It promotes a toxic corporate environment. Most of all, Uber upends many of our assumptions about transportation, labor, and the future of the economy. Rosenblat has succeeded in writing a clear, powerful book that goes far deeper than the headlines. By focusing on drivers, she reveals the complexities of their daily lives and challenges. She accounts for all the ways Uber both improves their lives and limits their prospects. This book is essential for anyone who hopes to understand platforms, applications, and the effects they have on real people.”—Siva Vaidhyanathan, author of The Googlization of Everything (And Why We Should Worry) and Antisocial Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy

“Deft, multifaceted, and eminently accessible and readable.”—Michael Palm, author of Technologies of Consumer Labor: A History of Self-Service