“This is the end of the world as we’ve known it,” Kurt Andersen writes in Reset. “But it isn’t the end of the world.” In this smart and refreshingly hopeful book, Andersen–a brilliant analyst and synthesizer of historical and cultural trends, as well as a bestselling novelist and host of public radio’s Studio 360–shows us why the current economic crisis is actually a moment of great opportunity to get ourselves and our nation back on track. Historically, America has always shifted between wild, exuberant speculation and steady, sober hard work, as well as back and forth between economic booms and busts, and between right and left politically. This is one of the rare moments when all these cycles shift dramatically and simultaneously–a moment when complacency ends, ossified structures loosen up, and enormous positive change is possible. The shock to the system can enable each of us to rethink certain habits and focus more on the things that make us authentically happy. The present flux can enable us as a society to consolidate the enormous gains of the last several decades in areas such as technology, crime prevention, women’s and civil rights, and the democratization of the planet. We can reap the fruits of a revival of realism and pragmatism at home and abroad. As we enter a new era of post-party-line common sense, we can start to reinvent hopelessly broken systems–in health care, education, climate change, and more–and rediscover some of the old-fashioned American values of which we’ve lost sight. In Reset, Andersen explains how we’ve done it before and why we are about to do it again–and better than ever.
Download and start listening now!
"This book gives me hope that the current economic crisis might just offer this country the opportunity it needs to kick back into gear as a nation of doers, innovators, and people who make things." — Jessica (4 out of 5 stars)
"This book gives me hope that the current economic crisis might just offer this country the opportunity it needs to kick back into gear as a nation of doers, innovators, and people who make things."
" Smart, succinct and full of the common sense wisdom that people need to be reminded of these days. "
" Eh, this was OK. I felt like it wasn't anything new or reveling. At least it's a quick read; more like an essay than a full book. "
" Quick, short read on why the current economic crisis might be good for us and how we got ourselves in this mess to begin with. "
" This book changed my mindset on the current struggling economy. If you are going to read it please read it soon. "
" More of an extended Op-Ed or magazine article than a book, I still enjoyed this, particularly the notion that history doesn't repeat, but rhymes with itself. "
" very interested to read this - like his previous fiction "
" My issues is with the length. I feel he had some great insight into trends within American culture and thinking, but never expounded a lot on them because the book was so short. "
" I should re-read this book once a month. Originally appeared as an article in Time Magazine, it was added to and republished earlier in 2009. Fantastic... "
" This took one sitting to read, and was completely worth it. Very much a Public Radio listener read. "
Kurt Andersen is the New York Times bestselling author of Fantasyland, Evil Geniuses, and, with Alec Baldwin,You Can’t Spell America without Me, as well as several novels and other works. He has also written for film, television, and the stage and contributes regularly to the New York Times. He is host and co-creator of Studio 360, the Peabody Award-winning cultural magazine show. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College, where he was an editor of the Lampoon. In 2003, New York named him one of the 100 People Who Changed New York, and Forbes named him one of The 25 Most Influential Liberals in the US Media.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.