By Bill Clinton
Alfred A. Knopf, $23.95, 192 pages

In this compact book about America’s current economic state, former president Bill Clinton writes about where we are and what we can do. Fortunately, despite providing a tremendous amount of facts, figures and statistics, his prose is simple and interesting enough that the reader is neither overwhelmed nor bored.

“The status quo is represented by much more powerful lobbying groups than the future is.”

Clinton’s premise is that, despite the angry rhetoric of antigovernment groups, less government will only weaken America further and do nothing to halt our economic decline. His focus is on cooperation between corporations and smarter government, rather than the bipartisan ‘every-man-for-himself’ gridlock. The book contains over 20 proposals in the areas Clinton feels are most critical to future success: unlocking the flow of money, job creation, and increasing exports. A number of these proposals come from programs used by previous administrations that cost taxpayers little or nothing. Others are from respected non-partisan business analysts or from other countries that have implemented such programs successfully.

While written by a political leader, this book approaches America’s issues from a business perspective. Unless politics are set aside and our leaders work together, there’s likely to be a Pyrrhic victory for one group and a bleak future for everyone else.


Reviewed by Catherine Gilmore,

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