Tailspin

The People and Forces Behind America's Fifty-Year Fall--and Those Fighting to Reverse It

By Steven Brill | Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

About the book

In this revelatory narrative covering the years 1967 to 2017, Steven Brill gives us a stunningly cogent picture of the broken system at the heart of our society. He shows us how, over the last half century, America’s core values—meritocracy, innovation, due process, free speech, and even democracy itself—have somehow managed to power its decline into dysfunction. They have isolated our best and brightest, whose positions at the top have never been more secure or more remote.

The result has been an erosion of responsibility and accountability, an epidemic of shortsightedness, an increasingly hollow economic and political center, and millions of Americans gripped by apathy and hopelessness. By examining the people and forces behind the rise of big-money lobbying, legal and financial engineering, the demise of private-sector unions, and a hamstrung bureaucracy, Brill answers the question on everyone’s mind: How did we end up this way? Finally, he introduces us to those working quietly and effectively to repair the damages. At once a diagnosis of our national ills, a history of their development, and a prescription for a brighter future, Tailspin is a work of riveting journalism—and a welcome antidote to political despair.

Editions of Tailspin

Paperback
ISBN 9780525432012
AltFormat
ISBN 9781524731632
EBook
ISBN 9781524731649
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780525637875
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780525637882

Read an Excerpt

In this revelatory narrative covering the years 1967 to 2017, Steven Brill gives us a stunningly cogent picture of the broken system at the heart of our society. He shows us how, over the last half century, America’s core values—meritocracy, innovation, due process, free speech, and even democracy itself—have somehow managed to power its decline into dysfunction. They have isolated our best and brightest, whose positions at the top have never been more secure or more remote.

The result has been an erosion of responsibility and accountability, an epidemic of shortsightedness, an increasingly hollow economic and political center, and millions of Americans gripped by apathy and hopelessness. By examining the people and forces behind the rise of big-money lobbying, legal and financial engineering, the demise of private-sector unions, and a hamstrung bureaucracy, Brill answers the question on everyone’s mind: How did we end up this way? Finally, he introduces us to those working quietly and effectively to repair the damages. At once a diagnosis of our national ills, a history of their development, and a prescription for a brighter future, Tailspin is a work of riveting journalism—and a welcome antidote to political despair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tailspin about?

In this revelatory narrative covering the years 1967 to 2017, Steven Brill gives us a stunningly cogent picture of the broken system at the heart of our society. He shows us how, over the last half century, America’s core values—meritocracy, innovation, due process, free speech, and even democracy itself—have somehow managed to power its decline into dysfunction. They have isolated our best and brightest, whose positions at the top have never been more secure or more remote.

The result has been an erosion of responsibility and accountability, an epidemic of shortsightedness, an increasingly hollow economic and political center, and millions of Americans gripped by apathy and hopelessness. By examining the people and forces behind the rise of big-money lobbying, legal and financial engineering, the demise of private-sector unions, and a hamstrung bureaucracy, Brill answers the question on everyone’s mind: How did we end up this way? Finally, he introduces us to those working quietly and effectively to repair the damages. At once a diagnosis of our national ills, a history of their development, and a prescription for a brighter future, Tailspin is a work of riveting journalism—and a welcome antidote to political despair.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Tailspin?

Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Central / national / federal government > Central / national / federal government policies

Where can I read a sample of Tailspin?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780525432012

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Tailspin?

Steven Brill

Who is the Publisher of the book Tailspin?

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Tailspin is available as paperback(ISBN 9780525432012) and altformat(ISBN 9781524731632) and ebook(ISBN 9781524731649) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780525637875) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780525637882)

Where can I buy Tailspin online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Tailspin from below

Where can I buy Tailspin?