Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America [J0433]

2025 HCDJ in Gift-Worthy condition. From political economist, cabinet member, beloved professor, media presence, and bestselling author of Saving Capitalism and The Common Good, a deeply felt, compelling memoir of growing up in a baby-boom America that made progress in certain areas, fell short in so many important ways, and still has lots of work to do A thought-provoking, principled, clear-eyed chronicle of the culture, politics, and economic choices that have landed us where we are today-with irresponsible economic bullies and corporations with immense wealth and lobbying power on top, demagogues on the rise, and increasing inequality fueling anger and hatred across the country. Nine months after World War II, Robert Reich was born into a united America with a bright future-which went unrealized for so many as big money took over our democracy. His encounter with school bullies on account of his height-4'11" as an adult-set him on a determined path to spend his life fighting American bullies of every sort. He recounts the death of a friend in the civil rights movement; his political coming of age witnessing the Berkeley free speech movement; working for Bobby Kennedy and Senator Eugene McCarthy; experiencing a country torn apart by the Vietnam War; meeting Hillary Rodham in college, Bill Clinton at Oxford, and Clarence Thomas at Yale Law. He details his friendship with John Kenneth Galbraith during his time teaching at Harvard, and subsequent friendships with Bernie Sanders and Ted Kennedy; and his efforts as labor secretary for Clinton and economic advisor to Barack Obama. Ultimately, Reich asks: What did his generation accomplish? Did they make America better, more inclusive, more tolerant? Did they strengthen democracy? Or did they come up short? With characteristic spirit and humor, Reich lays out how we can reclaim a sense of community and a democratic capitalism based on the American ideals we still have the power to salvage.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Comprehensive political overview from what I believe to be a fairly level-headed observer of the US then-and-now starting as early as the 1940s. Great read for all Americans."; "Great book. Love this quote: "A civil society is, or should be, our common goal." I think we'd all be much happier if everyone embraced this."; "A brilliant, aching elegy for the last 80 years of America, through a highly personal and yet still academically economic lens. Bravo, Professor."