Done by: Loh Jia Sheng Lawrence Liang Mark Soh

Synopsis Historical background About the Author How the Author’s background contribute to the story Message of the book Themes American culture Our view point on American Culture in the book Video Review

This book revolves around a Massive Multiplayer role playing game where people, instead of playing it for fun, use it for their own good to make money, be it in the game or hiring people to play the game for them. It is also based around the fictional growth of unionisation among workers in developing country economies. (China, Indonesia and Singapore)

Takes place in the computerization period, 21 st century This shows also shows extensive globalization and integration to new levels.

Born in Toronto Co-founded a free P2P software Later moved to London

The story takes place in many areas of the world, mainly China, Indonesia and Singapore The author, in his life travelled to many places in his life, which showed globalization like in the story where it takes place in many areas

To show the extensive power of the boss/head of a company evidence: “Because, Mala, I am the boss and you are the worker and that is the factory you work in. That's why” This shows the power that the boss holds over the workers

He wants to stop this labor exploitation that the boss has on these people Evidence: "Yes, that's true. At first you may not find yourself with your wages. And maybe your fellow workers would contribute a little to help you out. That's another thing unions do -- it's called strike pay. But eventually, you, and me, and all of us, would enjoy a world where we are paid a living wage, and where we labor under livable conditions, and where our workplaces are fair and decent. Isn't that worth a little sacrifice?"

Economic Exploitation In the book it is shown by a boss that treats his workers, who are the gold farmers, unfairly and takes most the money that they gain.

American Culture – Wei Dong There is only one American in the book, Wei Dong, also know as, Leonard Goldberg His life revolves around computer games as seen in his school life where he got caught for playing computer His father then sends him to boarding school, where he escapes to Disneyland and then finds accommodation

American Culture – Wei Dong After the death of his father and his mother suffering from depression, he literally ships himself to China While on the ship, he designed his crate in such a way that it contains his laptop, an IKEA sofa and WiFi connection We are then able to see American culture through his life in America

(As implied through the book) From his life, we can see that: 1. American children are rebellious as Wei Dong ran away from home, not wanting to face the reality. 2.Americans nowadays are money orientated because the reason he plays the games was to earn money. 3.Americans are rather creative and smart as seen from the fact that he managed to make his smuggled trip to China enjoyable

We feel that some American children are rebellious because their parents may not care a lot about them and their feelings. We agree that economic exploitation should be stopped and there should be democracy because everyone has human rights, including the gold farmers. We do not approve of gold faming though it is the only source of income considered by many because it is a dirty and unfair way of earning money.

Our video review would include: 1.The theme of the book 2.The message that the book is trying to put forth 3.The story itself 4.American culture seen through this book 5.Our view points on American culture as seen through this book