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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?
fictional_existence's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic read. A testament to the many and varied ways government helps its citizenry of which most people are not aware.
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.