Product Description

AMERICA IS FACING UNPRECEDENTED CHAL LENGES—new threats to our economic well-being, our environment, and our security. The American people are looking for real answers; the next president must mobilize our government and our citizens in ways that no president has done since FDR. America needs the power of progress . . . once again.

At the turn of the twentieth century, the American Dream was beginning to dim in a nation riven by growing inequalities in wealth and run by a powerful network of privileged industrialists and their political allies. But that era also gave birth to a renaissance in American political thought that forever changed our nation.

At a time when conservative ideology served as an excuse for the accumulation of wealth and privilege, the original Progressive movement created a new political order built on America’s basic principles—justice and equality for all, economic opportunity, and a commitment to the common good.

The lives of all Americans have been profoundly improved by the achievements of progressive reformers, from the eight-hour workday and voting rights to our victory in the Cold War and the economic gains middle-class Americans enjoyed under our most recent progressive president, Bill Clinton. Today’s challenges demand a second great Progressive era. America needs an economy in which workers at every income level share in our riches; a climate policy that stops global warming and ends our addiction to fossil fuels; and American leadership in the global fight against terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and poverty.

In The Power of Progress, John Podesta—former Clinton chief of staff—along with his colleague, John Halpin, explains how progressive values changed America in the wake of the Gilded Age and how these values will reshape America after the Bush presidency. Tapping the spirit of great progressive leaders from Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt to Martin Luther King Jr., The Power of Progress provides the road map toward a government responsive to the needs of its citizens; one that is focused on our generation’s greatest challenges: combating global warming, growing our economy and expanding the middle class, and meeting America’s twenty-first-century security challenges.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #592325 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-19
• Released on: 2008-08-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780307382559
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Former White House Chief of Staff Podesta chronicles his dismay that the progressive values he cherishes are being ignored and misunderstood by the "conservatives running this country." With slices of autobiography, Podesta places progressivism in a detailed historical context and explains how the ideology, with its emphasis on freedom and common good, can galvanize the widespread changes necessary to steady America as it navigates by a changing global economy and a climate in dangerous flux. Full of praise for Bill Clinton's ruling mantra of "putting people first," he offers a scorching if familiar critique of George W. Bush's administration and makes progressive prescriptions for the ailing states of family services, diplomacy, accountable government, the tax system and social justice. Podesta argues that if America were to revive past international agreements, like the Cap and Trade tax and the Responsibility to Protect doctrine, progressivism will restore "America to its role as a global leader." Marked by sunny optimism and unapologetic partisan passion, Podesta offers a comprehensive look at the potential for progressive politics in America's future.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
“John Podesta was indispensable to the work we did during my administration, on the economy, on the environment and in making the government more responsive and accountable to its citizens. Now, he’s painting on a much larger canvass, drawing on our work together, his own family’s immigrant story and his role as president of America’s most effective progressive think tank to take on the three monumental challenges America faces today: keeping our nation secure, ending global warming, and putting the American dream back within reach of our middle class. What he did for our presidency, he has now done for our country by crafting an inspiring blend of scholarship, personal history and patriotism and offering us a powerful approach to American progress at a time of global challenge.”
—President Bill Clinton

“The Power of Progress teaches us how to apply the philosophy that produced the American Dream in the 20th century to the big challenges of the 21st. John Podesta, a great public servant and political strategist, has written a wonderful book that will help Americans get our future back.”
—Governor Janet Napolitano

“John Podesta is somehow able to merge the intellectual curiosity of a law school professor (which he is) with the political savvy of a Chicago ward heeler (which he could have become) to give us a valuable progressive blueprint for addressing the most profound economic, environmental, and security challenges of our times.”
—Elena Kagan, Dean of Harvard Law School

“John Podesta has provided an extraordinary vision of progressive solutions for restoring America’s greatness. It is must read for our next President and for the rest of us.”
—Senator Tom Daschle

“Tolerance and compassion, spirited public service, opportunity for all, support of the common good. These are the value...

Review
“John Podesta was indispensable to the work we did during my administration, on the economy, on the environment and in making the government more responsive and accountable to its citizens. Now, he’s painting on a much larger canvass, drawing on our work together, his own family’s immigrant story and his role as president of America’s most effective progressive think tank to take on the three monumental challenges America faces today: keeping our nation secure, ending global warming, and putting the American dream back within reach of our middle class. What he did for our presidency, he has now done for our country by crafting an inspiring blend of scholarship, personal history and patriotism and offering us a powerful approach to American progress at a time of global challenge.”
—President Bill Clinton

“The Power of Progress teaches us how to apply the philosophy that produced the American Dream in the 20th century to the big challenges of the 21st. John Podesta, a great public servant and political strategist, has written a wonderful book that will help Americans get our future back.”
—Governor Janet Napolitano

“John Podesta is somehow able to merge the intellectual curiosity of a law school professor (which he is) with the political savvy of a Chicago ward heeler (which he could have become) to give us a valuable progressive blueprint for addressing the most profound economic, environmental, and security challenges of our times.”
—Elena Kagan, Dean of Harvard Law School

“John Podesta has provided an extraordinary vision of progressive solutions for restoring America’s greatness. It is must read for our next President and for the rest of us.”
—Senator Tom Daschle

“Tolerance and compassion, spirited public service, opportunity for all, support of the common good. These are the values and virtues The Power of Progress celebrates. Building on the 20th century’s vision of the American Dream, Podesta shows how the roots of the progressive movement can re-grow America’s influence in the world and secure its prosperity in the 21st century.”
—Wade Henderson, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

Customer Reviews

John Podesta's The Power of Progress
Anyone looking for a compelling narrative to promote and defend the progressive movement could do no better than John Podesta's historical track of our achievements. As a self described 'progressive' I have a 'know it when I see it' definition of what it means to be one. Mr. Podesta's book was not only informative and interesting read but excellent fodder for my over the back fence debates with my neighbors about what it means to be a modern day progressive.

Gary Nichols

Remarkable Blueprint on how to Save America
This book by John Podesta is truely a remarkable blueprint for vital public policy solutions to what ails the U.S. The book is in 2 parts. Part one starts with a very interesting personal history of Mr. Podesta's immigrant roots and the history of the various Progressive movements in the U.S. Part 2 details very specific and vitally important federal programs that WILL solve the pressing issues we face; education, energy, security, global warming, economic strength, health care. The solutions are specific and the results attainable. (note their are 2 interesting chapters that compare the Bush and Clinton administartions). This book should be required reading for ANYONE who is invloved in governmental policy and EVERYONE who cares about the future of our country.

Practical and Inspirational Advice on How to Bring Out the Best in Americans
In a time when the country is divided over labels to the extent that not enough positive action takes place, John Podesta's book moves past the name-calling among self-decribed conservatives and liberals and gets down to the brass tacks of how to fix things. After a compelling narative of his own background (that disallows the painting of this self-made hard-working man as some elite intellectual), he provides specific public policy solutions which, regardless of party affiliation, deserve to make their way into the public debate. An informative and enjoyable read.