Wall Street

As the center of American capitalism, Wall Street symbolizes all that is right and all that is wrong with the economy. In the time period covered in this book, Wall Street has become the provenance of the super-greedy and the amoral to the extent that it represents, to many average Americans, a moral canker on the body politic. The "occupy" movement is a symbolic protest against the exploitation and dishonesty of Wall Street that has little lasting effect on business-as-usual.

Canola oil

After quitting his job and opening a highway convenience mart and gas station, Dean Price decides to cash in on the move toward renewable energy sources. He identifies canola oil as the most likely of these fuels to become a viable alternative to oil and tries to get into the business.

Zuccotti Park

Zuccotti Park in the spot on Wall Street where the "Occupy...