Media & Events
“Jackpot” media coverage, appearances, and author events.

Winner, Axiom Gold Medal for Economics, 2022
“Economic inequality has never been more gaping in the United States, which makes it the perfect time to read Jackpot, Michael Mechanic’s entertaining and eviscerating peek behind the velvet curtains and into the real lives of America’s super-rich. Mechanic provides an eye-opening exposé of the myriad ways in which America’s political system unfairly enriches those at the top at the expense of those at the bottom. His myth-busting conclusion is that everyone loses, even the lucky few who have hit the jackpot.”
JANE MAYER, author, Dark Money
“Having spent decades reporting and writing books in this field, I admire Michael Mechanic’s book. His writing is elegant, his storytelling sublime. Well worth the time of anyone who wants to understand the effects of our make-the-rich-richer policies.”
DAVID CAY JOHNSTON, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist/author
“It really is great. The book is first-class therapy for anyone who was ever jealous of the rich. Veblen would be proud!”
JAMES K. GALBRAITH, economist, University of Texas
“Jackpot recalls for me the muckraking reporting of America’s first Gilded Age when dogged prophetic journalists exposed the giants of crooked capitalism and—voila!—inspired progressive forces that changed the country. Michael Mechanic, you’ve shown us how to do it. May legions follow your example.”
BILL MOYERS, broadcast journalist
(most active on Bluesky)
“A nimble exploration of a society obsessed with crowning winners and punishing losers. Jackpot makes me angry but also hits the spot.”
GARY SHTEYNGART, author, Lake Success
“Jackpot is a rich, well-reported, compellingly told story that is not only a good read but an unsettling reminder of the absurd advantages that accrue to Americans who have won the proverbial lottery.”
GARY RIVLIN, author, Broke USA
“Jackpot is such great fun to read—so inside the heads and lives of its subjects—that its vital insights sneak up on you: how America’s most fortunate, often despite the best intentions, perpetuate class advantages; how African Americans and women of all races are systematically excluded from wealth-building; and how rethinking certain cherished myths could help us survive as a nation.”
PEGGY ORENSTEIN, author, Girls & Sex
“Jackpot” media coverage, appearances, and author events.
You want to compare somone to Donald Trump or Elon Musk, try Reginald Van Dough, Richie’s greedy, scheming cousin.
If you’re dirt poor, sure. If you’re already doing okay, it’s an open question.
Gold medal in the Economics category of business book contest.
Savings plans supposedly meant for the middle class have been a gold mine for the wealthy.
A cultural bias with real-life consequences.