Money, Power, and the Human Cost: Six Books That Redefine What It Means to Be Wealthy

From Silicon Valley to dystopian futures, these books expose how greed shapes our choices, communities, and concept of success, and what it truly means to live well.

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Greed is more than a flaw; it’s a force that quietly drives decisions, distorts priorities, and reshapes lives. Across six powerful books, the pursuit of money, status, and control is examined from every angle. Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams reveals Facebook’s profit-driven rise and moral decay. Good Dirt and The Jungle expose labor exploitation and economic disparity. Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Novel personifies temptation and the price of unchecked ambition. Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche reframes financial power through discipline and self-worth, while Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler warns of a world where inequality consumes society itself. Together, these works form a vivid study of money’s dual nature, how it can build security or breed destruction, depending on who holds it and why.

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Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Novel by Victoria Christopher Murray

In Greed, Zuri Maxwell is a sales representative exploring a career in sales to maximize her earnings through commissions. However, her sales career and the compensation she receives do not provide the lifestyle she expected. Consequently, Zuri has had to find a way to earn money and live the life she has always desired. This comes at a cost, as she deceives her boyfriend, Stephon, into believing she is working for her employer while she is being entertained by the Atlanta elite.

This situation weighs on Zuri's conscience, but she cannot resist the allure of the lifestyle she has long pursued, even at the expense of her relationships and friendships. In the end, it's interesting to see the outcome of all the winning, dining, and having every dream of Zuri's come true. This book has a surprising twist that starts to unfold near the end and makes you question whether fulfilling your fantasies is worth it.

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

Good Dirt covers multiple genres of literature and fiction. It entails a story of romance, loss, slavery, greed, and more. Good Dirt follows Ebby and her parents as they deal with the loss of her brother Baz. It all stems from a jar called Old Mo. Old Mo is not just an ordinary jar; it holds immense historical value and sentimental significance for Ebby's family, symbolizing their heritage, unity, and the memories they have shared over generations. The jar is cherished not only for its physical beauty but also for the stories and traditions it encapsulates. However, the family's happiness, achievements, and the wealth they have accumulated throughout their lives become overshadowed by a single catastrophic event, the death of her brother Baz and the shattering of Old Mo.

This incident is not merely a physical breakage; it represents a fracture in the family's emotional and psychological foundation, leading to a cascade of turmoil and conflict. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that the greed of one individual, who covets what does not rightfully belong to them, can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the lives of those directly involved but also the broader community interconnected with their lives. The pursuit of wealth and material possessions often leads to moral decay, and in this case, it serves as a poignant reminder of how greed can corrupt even the most sacred of familial bonds.

Get Good With Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche

From a financial downfall to financial prosperity. That happens to Tiffany Aliche as she explains how she was swindled out of her money by two individuals she thought she could trust. The first individual takes over $20,000 and runs away with it. All Tiffany dreamed of was the thought of earning over $2,000 a week through the returns she would earn on her investment when she took the cash advance from her credit card. Ultimately, she was left with nothing but a credit card bill. Next comes a best friend who moves into her condo but doesn't end up paying rent on time.

What is Tiffany to do? The only thing she knows how to do, on a teacher's salary. She pays the credit card bill and mortgage until she can figure out how to live her dream. In Get Good With Money, you will learn a little more about Tiffany's experience with sheisty people and how you can become financially whole through budgeting, saving, and investing your way to wealth the right way. While pondering how you can Get Good With Money, check out these helpful resources to achieve financial wholeness and not let the greed bug bite.

Seeds of Greed: A New Look at Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

In this fresh take on Octavia Butler's famous book, we meet Lauren Olamina, a teenage girl who feels other people's pain in her own body. Lauren lives in a future America where money rules everything. Big companies own the water while regular families go hungry. Behind her neighborhood's walls, Lauren watches as people care more about getting rich than helping others. Then, one night, her safe home burns down, and she must escape with nothing but her ideas for a better world.

On the dangerous roads of America, Lauren sees what greed has done. Empty mansions stand next to homeless camps. People fight over food while the rich hide behind guards. As Lauren meets other survivors, she shares her new belief system called Earthseed. It teaches that real wealth isn't about money or stuff—it's about helping others and sharing what you have. Butler's story warns us about what happens when we care too much about getting rich and forget about being kind. In Lauren's broken world, the truly wealthy aren't those with the most things but those who remember how to care.

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair explores the dark side of the American Dream through the journey of Jurgis Rudkus, an immigrant from Lithuania seeking a better life in early 20th-century Chicago. Upon arrival, Jurgis and his family are thrust into the harsh realities of the Packing District, where exploitation reigns and workers struggle to form unions for fair wages and safe conditions. Their aspirations quickly collide with financial instability, health crises, and moral dilemmas, leading them to make desperate choices to survive, including crossing ethical lines during a union strike.

As tragedy strikes and the family faces unimaginable loss, they embark on individual quests to navigate life's challenges, confronting harsh choices that test their dignity. Ultimately, they are reunited, but their experiences leave lasting scars that alter their dreams of the American Dream. Sinclair’s narrative serves as a poignant reminder of human resilience amid adversity, inviting readers to reflect on the relentless fight for justice and dignity that resonates through generations. Will the Rudkus family find hope, or will they be consumed by the very system they sought to escape? The answer lies within this unforgettable tale.

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams is a striking exposé on how greed and the pursuit of profit can corrupt innovation. Wynn-Williams, one of Facebook’s early employees, reveals the company’s rapid rise from a startup to a global powerhouse, and the moral decline that accompanied it. From her position within Facebook’s media division, she describes the ambition of Mark Zuckerberg and the corporate culture that valued growth and revenue over ethics and accountability.

The book explores how Facebook’s ad algorithms enabled misinformation and political manipulation, shaping elections worldwide, including the 2016 U.S. presidential race. Wynn-Williams also shares disturbing accounts of workplace misconduct and gender bias, exposing a culture driven by money and influence rather than integrity. Careless People challenges readers to consider the true cost of digital power and what happens when technology outpaces responsibility.

How Can You Avoid Financial Greed?

Relentlessly chasing money can create a cycle of financial and emotional strain. The constant drive to earn more often leads to risky decisions, overspending, and a sense of never having enough. Over time, this pressure erodes balance, leaving even high earners feeling anxious and disconnected from what truly matters.

To break this cycle, start by examining the beliefs and habits that shape your relationship with money. Greed rarely announces itself; it shows up subtly, in comparison, competition, and the quiet fear of falling behind. Practicing gratitude and defining what “enough” means for you personally can help restore clarity. When your financial goals align with your values, your choices begin to support, not sabotage, your well-being.

Building wealth then becomes less about accumulation and more about purpose, stability, and peace of mind.

Ready to create a healthier relationship with money and lead with clarity instead of comparison? Schedule your clarity call today and start your wealth journey with Harris Financial Coaching.