Free Agent Nation

How America's New Independent Workers Are Transforming the Way We Live

By: Daniel H. Pink

Narrated by: Daniel H. Pink

The Organization Man is history. Taking his place is America's new economic icon: the "free agent" - the job-hopping, tech-savvy, fulfillment-seeking, self-reliant, independent worker. Already 30 million strong, these new "dis-organization" men and women are transforming America in ways both profound and exhilarating.

In this landmark book, Daniel H. Pink offers the definitive account of this revolution in work. He shows who these free agents are - from the marketing consultant down the street to the home-based "mompreneur" to the footloose technology contractor - and why they've forged a new path. His entertaining and provocative account of the new frontier of work reveals how free agents are shaking up all of our institutions - from politics to education to the family.

Hip and hopeful, meticulously researched and joyously iconoclastic, Free Agent Nation will change your thinking - and maybe even change your life.

©2001 by Daniel H. Pink, All Rights Reserved (P)2001 Time Warner AudioBooks

Mandatory freelancer read

If you're an independent professional or considering becoming one - particularly in the US - this book will interest you.

Critical for parents with children in public ed.

What made the experience of listening to Free Agent Nation the most enjoyable?

This was so chock full of research and thoughtfully presented ideas about the world of work today and tomorrow, and education. I can't stop thinking about this book, especially as it relates to my young girls' future lives and education in public school.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Free Agent Nation?

The end of the book, I think the last few chapters, that touched on public education and 'Alumni Networks' of companies.

What does Daniel H. Pink bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Cadence, personality, emphasis where he would have it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No way. This is a book I stretched out over days, and often reversed in order to really make sure I had a firm grasp of what Daniel was teaching me. I want to listen to it again, and have been telling everyone I know to read this book as well as A Whole New Mind.

Any additional comments?

I absolutely love Audio Books.

I'm not alone in the world!

Would you listen to Free Agent Nation again? Why?

Yes, I would. It's inspirational to know that I'm part of an overall trend.

What did you like best about this story?

It inspired me to take the trouble to find a local community of Free Agents to connect with so I can find solutions to the unique problems Free Agents face. It's easy to find

What about Daniel H. Pink’s performance did you like?

I love when an author reads his own books. You really hear the conviction in their voice about their subject, which is hard for an actor to reproduce.

Not what I expected

I was expecting a book detailing on how to transition to a free agent. This book examines the overall shift to free agents on a macro level. The author is a former speechwriter for Al Gore and Robt Reich(sp?) from the Dept of Labor. The book was published in 2001 at the height of the dot com/the internet will save the world boom and some of the references are out of date. While I agree with the author that for many in corporate life a logical transition at mid to late career is to shift to free agent status, I was hoping for some pracile advice and examples of success and failure. Would have made an interesting magazine article.

Empowering without Action

Relatively quick listen, but nothing much of substance. Very interesting to see what the take on the workforce would be from 20 years ago, but there was no framework on joining the free agent nation, just stories about people joining it