Coming Up Short

A thought-provoking, principled, clear-eyed chronicle of the culture, politics, and economic choices that have landed America where it is today ― with irresponsible economic bullies and corporations with immense wealth and lobbying power on top, demagogues on the rise, and increasing inequality fuelling 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 unrealised for so many as big money took over. His encounter with school bullies on account of his height ― just under five foot ― 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 labour 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 humour, he lays out how progressives can reclaim a sense of community and salvage a democratic capitalism based on American ideals.