getAbstract Summary: Get the key points from this book in less than 10 minutes.

Journalist Edward Luce conducted a nine-month examination of America's middle class, education system, innovative ability, basic research capacity and government. He spoke to makers and movers like Bill Gates and to less exalted working people, including an electrician who had to retrain as a nurse. He finds that the middle class is disappearing as jobs flee to the East, leaving low-paying health care and service "opportunities" in their wake. He says the country's famous can-do attitude has retreated before risk aversion, apathy and political polarization. Schools do not teach needed skills, and Congress stagnates under the thumb of money and lobbyists. Luce tells his tale too well. He reports dire scenarios skillfully and vividly, though the few cures he offers are unconvincing. In some areas, you may long for a few balancing insights or some small ray of sunshine, like a note about progress that is underway. Still, getAbstract recommends Luce's bleak insights to America's levelheaded decision makers and doers – who can address the nation's problems – and to thoughtful observers anywhere.

Book Publisher:

Atlantic Monthly Press