by Van Jones
First published 2012
Van Jones argues that the American Dream has become an illusion for millions of workers who cannot find jobs, homeowners facing foreclosure, and families watching politicians cut services while giving tax breaks to the wealthy. Jones frames the political battle not as liberals versus conservatives but as cheap patriotism versus deep patriotism. He draws inspiration from the teachers, firefighters, and nurses who occupied the Wisconsin Capitol to resist Governor Walker's policies. Jones rejects austerity measures and makes the case for public investments that could create ten million good paying jobs. He studies the tea party movement for strategic insights while defending progressive values. The book combines memoir with manifesto as Jones outlines how a movement rooted in American idealism can unite millions around real solutions to economic problems and make the 21st century a second American century.
Genres: american, current-affairs, activism, american-history
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: call-to-action, manifesto
Period: 21st-Century
320 pages · Hardcover · Nation Books