"A great book [full of] extensive research, thoughtful analysis and articulate writing. Jack Rasmus doesn't just talk about the economic catastrophe of the last two years: he identifies the problems, the root causes of the problems and offers sound and insightful solutions. Epic Recesssion should be required reading for anyone who has a responsibility in formulating public policy." Chuck Mack, International Vice-President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters The U.S. economy is in deep trouble. The largest banks are sustained by trillions of government dollars. More than 20 million people are unemployed, and up to 10 million homes--one in five--are projected to foreclose. Jack Rasmus shows that we need a new way of understanding the crisis if things are to improve. Rasmus interrogates U.S. economic history to show that the current predicament is what he terms an èpic recession': neither a full-blown depression, nor a shortlived contraction followed by a swift recovery. The economy faces an extended period of stagnation that may yet descend into depression. Rasmus demonstrates that the only way to prevent the onset of depression is to radically restructure the economy through a massive job creation program, nationalization of the mortgage and consumer credit markets, new banking and tax structures, and a long-term redistribution of income through better healthcare and retirement systems. Epic Recession provides a rallying point for trade unionists and concerned citizens who want to ensure that any recovery is felt further than Wall Street. --Book Jacket.