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pitosalas's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting non fiction writing about the innards of the US Government. Reads like 4 long New Yorker articles. I never found out what the fifth risk was though. Not his best.
branch_c's review against another edition
3.0
The most significant piece of information in this book is probably the fact that Trump and his appointees were not just incompetent when they took over the US government in 2017, but that they were incompetent jerks. Most of us probably could have guessed this already without the data gathered here by Lewis, and even if we didn’t, this is depressing info that many of us would rather ignore, so this book is a less than enjoyable read.
On the other hand, the writing is polished and engaging, and the reader is introduced to numerous positive characters in addition to the jerks; people who committed their careers to government work because they truly wanted to make a difference, and make the country better for its citizens. It’s sad to realize that their good intentions can be so easily thwarted by a mob of selfish idiots - but not only that, to see how unnecessarily difficult it can be even under the best of conditions, when a presidential transition is handled professionally and correctly.
And this is the real lesson to be learned from this book: we should be surprised and impressed that our government works even as well as it does, given the complexities of government agencies, the intricacies of data collection and storage, and the antagonistic interactions between citizens, government, and business. These aspects combine to make it unlikely that normal government operations can be managed efficiently, and make it all but impossible that administrative transitions will go smoothly.
The good news is there’s lots of room for improvement, and given some time and effort, plus the right elected officials, things can be improved. Some of the issues raised here echo those brought up by presidential candidate Andrew Yang, in his book, The War on Normal People, especially in regards to the problems facing rural America in the modern society. Beyond Yang’s ideas for Universal Basic Income and putting humanity first (over the interests of corporations and politicians), the government would surely benefit from leaders like him who pay attention to the data, listen to the advice of experts, give logistical issues the attention they deserve, and have a genuine desire to make the world a better place.
Anyway, the three star rating here reflects my personal reading enjoyment factor, since the topic is not exactly pleasant. But it’s a quick read, and recommended for anyone who wants to be aware of these important matters.
On the other hand, the writing is polished and engaging, and the reader is introduced to numerous positive characters in addition to the jerks; people who committed their careers to government work because they truly wanted to make a difference, and make the country better for its citizens. It’s sad to realize that their good intentions can be so easily thwarted by a mob of selfish idiots - but not only that, to see how unnecessarily difficult it can be even under the best of conditions, when a presidential transition is handled professionally and correctly.
And this is the real lesson to be learned from this book: we should be surprised and impressed that our government works even as well as it does, given the complexities of government agencies, the intricacies of data collection and storage, and the antagonistic interactions between citizens, government, and business. These aspects combine to make it unlikely that normal government operations can be managed efficiently, and make it all but impossible that administrative transitions will go smoothly.
The good news is there’s lots of room for improvement, and given some time and effort, plus the right elected officials, things can be improved. Some of the issues raised here echo those brought up by presidential candidate Andrew Yang, in his book, The War on Normal People, especially in regards to the problems facing rural America in the modern society. Beyond Yang’s ideas for Universal Basic Income and putting humanity first (over the interests of corporations and politicians), the government would surely benefit from leaders like him who pay attention to the data, listen to the advice of experts, give logistical issues the attention they deserve, and have a genuine desire to make the world a better place.
Anyway, the three star rating here reflects my personal reading enjoyment factor, since the topic is not exactly pleasant. But it’s a quick read, and recommended for anyone who wants to be aware of these important matters.
erikinthedistrict's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent book on the consequences of years of demonization of the federal (civilian) workforce and how really good programs are in danger.
joestewart's review against another edition
4.0
This was an easy book to read and enlightening about how incoming administration‘s interact with the preceding administration. I was completely unaware of the approach that the Trump administration took: they assumed that they knew what they were doing and did nothing to prepare.
I was disappointed that Michael Lewis chose not to use footnotes and references. It would be a much more compelling book if both were present. Because they’re missing, the book lacks authority – I frequently wondered if he was making it up or not. Without the references, I’m left to wonder.
I was disappointed that Michael Lewis chose not to use footnotes and references. It would be a much more compelling book if both were present. Because they’re missing, the book lacks authority – I frequently wondered if he was making it up or not. Without the references, I’m left to wonder.
amcintosh's review against another edition
3.0
Debated a bit on the rating.
I found the premise interesting, as well as the beginning of the book. Unfortunately it dragged a bit for me in the middle chapter, before picking up again and getting much more detailed and interesting in the end.
But, I have to say I personally found this one less enjoyable and compelling than his other works I have read.
Perhaps the various stories were less focused in this? Maybe it's that there seems to be less resolution, or less reason to the stories (quite possible as this government is still playing out)? Not sure, but in the end I had to rate this one a little down from the others. Still a good read.
I found the premise interesting, as well as the beginning of the book. Unfortunately it dragged a bit for me in the middle chapter, before picking up again and getting much more detailed and interesting in the end.
But, I have to say I personally found this one less enjoyable and compelling than his other works I have read.
Perhaps the various stories were less focused in this? Maybe it's that there seems to be less resolution, or less reason to the stories (quite possible as this government is still playing out)? Not sure, but in the end I had to rate this one a little down from the others. Still a good read.
generalheff's review against another edition
4.0
A great little book that showed me a lot about the inner workings of various US agencies, how data are used and the inspiring people who work in them.
I only knocked a star off because I just wanted a little bit more of a wrapper around the discussion of the USDA and NOAA to tie it all together. It all finished a bit abruptly and I would love the author to have made more of a point, or perhaps have tackled another much misunderstood agency and tried to draw out some broader themes. I fancy the author deliberately avoided this, perhaps to avoid being too political or didactic, but it would’ve helped prevent the book feel like it stopped so abruptly.
Nevertheless a stimulating and pleasingly short read.
I only knocked a star off because I just wanted a little bit more of a wrapper around the discussion of the USDA and NOAA to tie it all together. It all finished a bit abruptly and I would love the author to have made more of a point, or perhaps have tackled another much misunderstood agency and tried to draw out some broader themes. I fancy the author deliberately avoided this, perhaps to avoid being too political or didactic, but it would’ve helped prevent the book feel like it stopped so abruptly.
Nevertheless a stimulating and pleasingly short read.
toddlleopold's review against another edition
5.0
Years ago, I was assigned to do an article on the IRS. I groaned; I suspected IRS employees were grouchy misanthropes.
Maybe a few are, but most of them — wait for it — were human beings like everyone else. Better, perhaps, because they were public servants, doing a literally thankless job because it’s necessary.
I kept thinking about these people as I read “The Fifth Risk,” Michael Lewis’ book about … well, it’s about a lot of things. But what comes through is the value of public service and the ways government, however unwieldy, tries to make lives a little better.
Is it wasteful? Yes. Is it overbearing? Sometimes. But it’s necessary and, despite all the nasty things certain members of Congress say about it, trying to do a good job.
Lewis focuses on the transition between the Obama administration and the feckless Trump folks who didn’t believe in government besides as an excuse to milk for millions. In doing so, Lewis shines a light on people, from Democratic and GOP administrations, who have tried to make a difference.
Perhaps the most fascinating are the civil servants in the Dept of Commerce, which is really the Dept of Data, Lewis points out. They want to get citizens to pay attention to tornado warnings and do a better job with crops. They give away their data for free to companies that make millions. (Kinda like DARPA and the Internet.)
They’re doomed to be a bunch of Sisyphuses, not because they don’t succeed, but because people like Trump appointees and DC lobbyists are determined to stop them from doing their jobs. (Think of the CDC and its inability to gather data on gun deaths.) It’s depressing, and has only gotten more so. (The book came out in 2018.)
If I have a complaint, it’s that Lewis ends the slim book abruptly. But he’s made his point. Now, I wonder, in our QAnon “f*ck your feelings” (and facts) atmosphere, is anybody listening?
Maybe a few are, but most of them — wait for it — were human beings like everyone else. Better, perhaps, because they were public servants, doing a literally thankless job because it’s necessary.
I kept thinking about these people as I read “The Fifth Risk,” Michael Lewis’ book about … well, it’s about a lot of things. But what comes through is the value of public service and the ways government, however unwieldy, tries to make lives a little better.
Is it wasteful? Yes. Is it overbearing? Sometimes. But it’s necessary and, despite all the nasty things certain members of Congress say about it, trying to do a good job.
Lewis focuses on the transition between the Obama administration and the feckless Trump folks who didn’t believe in government besides as an excuse to milk for millions. In doing so, Lewis shines a light on people, from Democratic and GOP administrations, who have tried to make a difference.
Perhaps the most fascinating are the civil servants in the Dept of Commerce, which is really the Dept of Data, Lewis points out. They want to get citizens to pay attention to tornado warnings and do a better job with crops. They give away their data for free to companies that make millions. (Kinda like DARPA and the Internet.)
They’re doomed to be a bunch of Sisyphuses, not because they don’t succeed, but because people like Trump appointees and DC lobbyists are determined to stop them from doing their jobs. (Think of the CDC and its inability to gather data on gun deaths.) It’s depressing, and has only gotten more so. (The book came out in 2018.)
If I have a complaint, it’s that Lewis ends the slim book abruptly. But he’s made his point. Now, I wonder, in our QAnon “f*ck your feelings” (and facts) atmosphere, is anybody listening?