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timburbage's review
4.0
I enjoyed this look into different sections of the US Government (Energy, Agriculture, Commerce) and found out a lot of interesting facts (Energy looks after all nuclear weapons, Agriculture is in charge of loans to small businesses, Commerce look at the weather). Michael Lewis has a style that is easy to digest and remember.
The only thing stopping this from a 5 star was that I wanted more of it. The three departments are looked into, with the lens of the Trump administration (failing to) take over. I wanted more information, more detail, and this was missing a common thread that would tie everything into a narrative.
The only thing stopping this from a 5 star was that I wanted more of it. The three departments are looked into, with the lens of the Trump administration (failing to) take over. I wanted more information, more detail, and this was missing a common thread that would tie everything into a narrative.
paladintodd's review against another edition
5.0
It's a bit of a surface skim than a deep dive so not my favorite Lewis book, still pretty chilling enlightening stuff.
Loved the parts were he explained some potential disaster to end it with an asterisk to a footnote that simply says "and that's exactly what they did".
One problem I had that I don't think he address: He gives lots of praise to the folks working in government and how they are all mission driven, yet the Trump admin is so easily able to dismantle what they do. You'd think they would defend their mission more than they have? Or maybe they are, and just as Republicans are dismantling important things without us knowing about it, there are others protecting it that we don't know about.
The last paragraph was particularly good (kind wish this story had been at the beginning to frame everything to come rather than putting a bow on the end): The old lady who had wished for 10 years for a tornado to come destroy her barn - because that's where her husband had committed suicide. What she hadn't considered was that the tornado would also take her house. What a perfect metaphor for the Trumpian "burn it all down" mindset or the Republican "I've got mine". They totally lack the ability and empathy to see the harm they wish on others may well fall on them as well.
Loved the parts were he explained some potential disaster to end it with an asterisk to a footnote that simply says "and that's exactly what they did".
One problem I had that I don't think he address: He gives lots of praise to the folks working in government and how they are all mission driven, yet the Trump admin is so easily able to dismantle what they do. You'd think they would defend their mission more than they have? Or maybe they are, and just as Republicans are dismantling important things without us knowing about it, there are others protecting it that we don't know about.
The last paragraph was particularly good (kind wish this story had been at the beginning to frame everything to come rather than putting a bow on the end): The old lady who had wished for 10 years for a tornado to come destroy her barn - because that's where her husband had committed suicide. What she hadn't considered was that the tornado would also take her house. What a perfect metaphor for the Trumpian "burn it all down" mindset or the Republican "I've got mine". They totally lack the ability and empathy to see the harm they wish on others may well fall on them as well.
psz's review against another edition
4.0
Good length and a good picture about what really happens in government. Less about Trump than expected, which is a good thing.
mubeenirfan's review against another edition
5.0
I have always been a Michael Lewis fan boy. Did you know he now has a podcast too? Anyway, this book is not juicy or spicy. Premise is simple, take 3 gigantic public departments, tell the reader what they do and why they are important (none of which I knew) and then take us through how Trump's administration is ruining that. No TMZ stuff, plain policy.
gswain's review against another edition
5.0
If I could give this book more stars, I would. I highlighted this book on my kindle more than any other book. It was very little about Trump. It was more on the importance of civil service and the work that is at stake with every new administration and especially this one (lack of nominations/horrible picks). I really loved reading this book and recommend it to people who like policy and public service but also to those that question whether our government does important/useful work. We get so bogged down by media coverage of the bad and crazy stuff that we've forgotten about the incredible people and work that is being done to benefit the country as a whole. Civil servants aren't the same as political appointees. They don't have some political aspiration or want to be millionaires. They choose public service and we should be learning about and celebrating their work. Even more so now with the crap they are dealing with. I hope after this administration is gone, people will still feel called to public service.
ehershkovitz's review against another edition
5.0
Well written as usual by Michael Lewis. A book filled with information on government agencies that reads like a thriller novel.
This book does such a great job explaining all the things the government does, to let us live the lives we want to live, that we don't even think twice about and, it emphasizes why the inaction by president Trump is hurting millions of Americans and putting many more American lives at risk for no other reason than "ThE BiG BaD GoVeRnMenT iS Bad AnD AnYtHiNg OBUMMER ToUcHeD iS BaD!"
This book does such a great job explaining all the things the government does, to let us live the lives we want to live, that we don't even think twice about and, it emphasizes why the inaction by president Trump is hurting millions of Americans and putting many more American lives at risk for no other reason than "ThE BiG BaD GoVeRnMenT iS Bad AnD AnYtHiNg OBUMMER ToUcHeD iS BaD!"
hofmerin's review against another edition
5.0
Unsung civil servant heros. Great stories. No glorification.
yoteach87's review against another edition
3.0
Great insight into two important factors regarding politics: first, how several government agencies work and what kinds of work they do; and second, how President Trump has mismanaged both the people leading these agencies and the programs within them. For example, did you know that the Department of Energy gives small interest loans to innovators looking to find solutions to everyday crises? Did you also know that this program has turned a profit each year? Finally, does it surprise you that President Trump immediately tried to put the kibosh on this program as soon as he took office? If the answer to all three questions was 'no' then I invite you to take a nonpartisan look into the gross mismanagement of the government since 2016. Arm yourself with the knowledge to not be a government consumer but an active, informed citizen.