Tailspin

The People and Forces Behind America's Fifty-Year Fall--and Those Fighting to Reverse It

By: Steven Brill

Narrated by: Dan Woren

In this revelatory narrative covering the years 1967 to 2017, Steven Brill gives us a stunningly cogent picture of the broken system at the heart of our society. He shows us how, over the last half century, America’s core values—meritocracy, innovation, due process, free speech, and even democracy itself—have somehow managed to power its decline into dysfunction. They have isolated our best and brightest, whose positions at the top have never been more secure or more remote.

The result has been an erosion of responsibility and accountability, an epidemic of shortsightedness, an increasingly hollow economic and political center, and millions of Americans gripped by apathy and hopelessness. By examining the people and forces behind the rise of big-money lobbying, legal and financial engineering, the demise of private-sector unions, and a hamstrung bureaucracy, Brill answers the question on everyone’s mind: How did we end up this way? Finally, he introduces us to those working quietly and effectively to repair the damages. At once a diagnosis of our national ills, a history of their development, and a prescription for a brighter future, Tailspin is a work of riveting journalism—and a welcome antidote to political despair.

Get ready to take back our country!

This was a well-written and researched macro perspective at the policies and leaders over the past 50 years and how it has led to (intended or not) consequences many of us now at the height of feeling the effects. Day to day news consumption is overwhelming in what each move or decision actually means, so to have a fact based view point from the last 5 decades gives the perspective we all need to start being active and well-educated in selecting our leaders. It takes very difficult concepts for regular Americans to digest, or even want to discuss, and brings them to light in a way that it can be conceived by all who are willing. Worth the read for everyone living in a democracy!

Maddeningly accurate!

This should be a must read for all Americans. If you are not furious by the end of the book, you missed the point. Our country has been stolen from us and Brill does a great job of telling us how it was done. Worth the time!!

Good Analysis, Backed by Data & Stories

“Tailspin” provides more than just a compelling narrative about how “We the People “ became “Us v Them,” over the course of some 50 years. Brill chronicles the hollowing out of America’s production capacity (and the good jobs), in exchange for (in the words of Simon & Garfunkel) “A pocketful of mumbles, such are promises.”

Brill’s narrative rings true. We have work to do!

constantly skipping choppy listening exp

a good book too bad it lacks flow due to skips in narratio patterns. had to piece segments together at times to complete thoughts and ideas presented

Required reading for all running for public office

This book contains the necessary talking points for Democratics to win in '18. We should All read it, but if the content was used correctly by candidates, they'd win in a landslide. Bravo!