The Myth of Free Trade: A Plan for America's Economic Revival

Batra ( The Great Depression of 1990 ) surveys America's economy in this impressive study filled with illuminating statistics. Declaring himself ``privy to knowledge and information crucial to the economic survival of our nation as well as our planet,'' Batra, professor of economics at Southern Methodist University in Texas, here repudiates free trade: ``Manufacturing, not trade, is the main source of prosperity.'' Batra's analysis of federal deficits, deindustrialization and our living standard is piercing. He supports ``competitive protectionism,'' specifically higher tariffs, an industrial policy, banning mergers among giant firms and breaking up ``large firms controlling more than 10 percent of market share in any industry.'' While compelling, Batra does not present a convincing argument that a protectionist America can survive in a world committed to free trade. Fortune Book Club alternate. (June)