Rating: 
Summary: What in the world is going on?
Review: In this book, Robert Reich explains clearly and succinctly the economic and social forces which influence our increasingly frenzied society.People are working more hours than ever before, not only when they need the money, but especially when the work is particularly well paid. Loyalty is a scarce commodity, not only from employees, but also from employers, customers, and investors. This book does an enormous service by helping us see the mechanisms underlying the great trends in our social fabric over the past couple of decades. Only by understanding the underlying mechanisms can we hope to play a part in controlling their motions. This book provides that understanding. The final chapter addresses ways that the trends can be changed. Unfortunately this chapter seems lame in relation to the rest of the book. The suggestions do not seem practical or even possible to implement given the enormity of the problem outlined in the rest of the book. Yet the clarity with which the current situation is laid out is so valuable, the author can be forgiven if he can't provide -all- the answers. This is the most enlightening book I've read in years. If you want to understand where America stands at the breaking of the millenium, the concepts in this book are a required curriculum.
Rating:
Summary: Continuing the Commitment
Review: Mr. Reich leaves no doubt in the reader's mind that, despite his passion for his position in the centrist Clinton Administration, he is a true progressive. He is the author, and a fine writer, so my remarks will be short and to the point. If you desire an alternative way of observing the present state of the overall economy, and do not have the time to attend a series of lectures on this subject, this is the book for you. When intervieved, Mr. Reich is always engaging, and is no less so in the book. He peppers each chapter with bits of humor, which add a human side to what could be an otherwise dry subject matter. He has a fine grasp of economic history, and presents it skilfully. This is a great effort, especially because Mr. Reich neither talks above or down to his readers. A excellent read.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful
Review: Reich articulates the dilemma of the modern time...that essentially, middle to upper income professionals can now simple dial in the number of hours they work to receive a set of fixed income and other benefits. As a physician, I found that Reich describes what many physicians have long experienced...long hours, always "on call", higher pay, stress on family time, etc. Physicians have also long had a direct correlation between hours worked and income for the most part. The hard part was choosing not to work and too spend time on other pursuits. In the new economy, a greater number of workers are now operating under this model of work, work, work and they find that it is stressful. The value of Reich's book is that he explains why all of this is happening due to rapid equalization of access to information. Why should you read it? Because it will help you understand the choices that will have to be made as you define "success" for the next twenty to thirty years of your career. In the new economy, YOU have the power to make that decision.
Rating: 
Summary: The New, New Thing: Turning Workers Into Owners
Review: Reich is a smart guy and a good writer and THE FUTURE OF SUCCESS is worth reading for that reason alone. But something else seems to be going on here. I get the sense a little trend is developing. There are now two other intriguing new books by loyal, lifetime Democrats that -- along with Reich -- really rethink the Democratic notion of work, success and wealth creation. One is by a former Clinton speechwriter named Andrei Cherny, a book called THE NEXT DEAL. The other is by the CEO of a big financial services company, a guy named Wade Dokken, a book called NEW CENTURY, NEW DEAL: HOW TO TURN YOUR WAGES INTO WEALTH THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY CHOICE. Each shine a spotlight on old economy thinking versus new economy thinking. Each question the Roosevelt/Great Society thinking -- not that it was necessarily wrong for the time, but that new times require new thinking. Both Cherny and Dokken go further than Reich, and for the better I think, in supporting the idea of allowing workers to invest a portion of their Social Security taxes in their own personal retirement accounts. Both Cherny and Dokken believe that Bush had great -- and surprising success -- appealing to new economy workers and the "New Investor Class" because of the Social Security issue. Cherney doesn't dwell on it, but his position is interesting because he worked in the Clinton=Gore White House on the message team. Dokken is interesting because he's a big contributor to the Clinton-Gore campaigns and the DNC and yet he practically begs the Democratic leadership to "wake up and smell the Starbucks" and embrace rather than eschew the Investor Class before Bush and the GOP lock them in for a generation. And Dokken -- drawing on the work of Bob Kerrey and Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Rep. Charles Stenholm -- really explains how the Democratic party can develop a language and policy on wealth creation that can position the "party of the people" for the realities of the 21st century. Bottom line: the future of success means turning wages into wealth and turning workers into owners. Reich scratches the surface. Cherny digs a little deeper. Dokken plunges right in. Read all three and you just might understand where this party of ours is heading. Given the GOP's control of the White House, House and Senate...it's time we all rethink a new deal for the new century.
Rating:
Summary: The future of success
Review: Reich never disappoints our expectation that he will provide an innovative exploration of the economic mechanisms of our times. His earlier seminal analysis of the effects of globalisation is followed here from the opposite end of the spectrum. He considers the likely consequences of unlimited personal choice and 'acquisitive individualism' in an economy driven along by unrelenting competition. What will be the benefits and what the losses to society, the communities, the families, the cultures and the individual lives of every one of us? The style is characteristically Reich, witty, insightful and rich with example and anecdote. Be well advised to prepare yourself for the great economic race which is the future: which will it be, success or also-ran?
Rating:
Summary: Work of individuals
Review: Robert Reich has an amazing mind. He seems to [pull] up information and to organise it into different patterns and perspectives. Every page has something of value. His previous book called the Work of Nations redefined the pitfalls and advantages of globalisation. In this book, which is pitched at a lower level, you sense the same divided attitude toward success. As an unashamed winner in the great global game, Reich has seen the benefits it can bestow a person, while ripping apart a person's life and their community. I like the mixture of personal and global in his thinking. He comes at problems from many different angles. He shows how global forces penetrate everything and the impact on himself. Unfortunately, like many analytical thinkers, Reich has no real solutions, but he has redefined the problems of a work-driven society on an individual and a global level. It is a starting point to help society move on.
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Summary: A Lone Voice Of Transformation Of New Ideas And Values!
Review: Robert Reich is a leading voice in the Democratic Party avant-garde. Muffling his wise speech and spinning it as misguided is simply wrong. The book reveals his outstanding values, high character and deep devotion to people everywhere. As I read the book, I kept remembering what I term the "Alexander The Great Syndrome." Alexander at 20 began his intent to conquer the world. Achieving this aim by 32, all of his ambitions were gone along with his life. Ironically, Alexander died outside of Babylon, practicing Iranian culture, wearing Iranian robes and buried in Egypt, not Greece. By not planning for the future, most of Alexander's work faded into oblivion. But his empire was in pieces within years. Alexander gained the whole world but lost his soul. The author is saying basically the same thing in his book. One must balance what he does with what he seeks. Technology can make us aloof from a noble purpose in life. It is very easy to lose ones' way and ignore the very people you claim you are trying to help. Each successful accomplishment in your life can actually be a limit of yourself to others. Ending to a grand tomb of regrettable memories built on empty attainments. The author was part of an Administration that did anything to win and maintain power. In the process, the Democratic Party adopted values that cut itself off the common people. It neither gained in strength nor respect and actually lost due to the wayward paths to power. The author is one of the few that has the courage to say so in this day of clever spin. In another way, the author is saying in this book, how can we take care of a nation of people when we cannot take care of ourselves and our families? We need more Guides like Robert Reich in much greater number. We need to restore the principles of the Democratic Party so all can rise in a new brave world. This includes embracing Republican ideas where they are proven to enhance society together. Liberals have lost their own creditability by attacking private sector innovations. The use of labeling people like Republicans with false attacks is just as bad as a minority of zealots thinking all government is evil. Only shared values will overcome divided issues among us. In the end, life comes down to the ones you love and not what the public adores in you. This book is just a start of deciding what priorities will dominate your life. I highly recommend the book for all who believe in the fellowship of a society for the well being of all individuals.
Rating:
Summary: Relevant, readable, and compelling
Review: Robert Reich provides a convincing answer to one of the central paradoxes of modern American life - everyone talks of seeking balance and their willingness to tradeoff less income for more time for family and leisure, and then finds themselves working longer and harder. After reading "The Future of Success" you realize we are not so irrational. Contrary to other Amazon reviewers, I came away from this book lamenting that I will need to abandon recent efforts to focus less on work (at least until Reich is back in power with a Democrat administration). The first third of The Future of Success struck me as familiar territory, and I almost abandoned the book. That new technology is changing how work is organized and rewarded has been exhaustingly covered elsewhere. I am glad I stuck with it -- this section does lay the groundwork for the new and powerful arguments that Reich makes later. I found Reich's Personal Choice chapter the most entertaining-- his skewering of time management self-help books is particularly effective. His ridicule of the simplicity movement is amusing, but less compelling - I don't think it is necessary to go so far as trapping small animals for one to make useful choices that simplify one's life. I believe the time is not yet right for Reich's social policy suggestions to receive wide reception. Popular opinion today is still intoxicated by recent new economy success stories, and worships self-reliance. Hopefully enough people will take the time to read the whole book, and I think we will see these ideas gain influence as political and economic conditions evolve over the coming years.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book with an open mind - you just might agree....
Review: Robert Reich was now ex-President Clinton's Secretary of Labor during his first term. I think many people questioned why he wasn't back for the second term. Those questions are answered here. *Most* importantly, the reasons apply to virtually all of the families in America today. Prior to the 1980's, the nuclear family and the way children were raised was arguably better for the children. With the advent of the new information technologies, and with the need to work harder not smarter (despite what corporations say - this is the real paradigm), people are putting in more hours and getting less quality time with their families. The fact that 'Dilbert' would never have sold in the 1970's as well as it does now is actually quite telling. The conversation with his child (which I won't spoil for you) that led Reich to his decision is touching and more worrysome, telling. That is, in today's society it's easy to lose the forest for the trees. No one on their deathbed says, "I wished I'd spent more time on my career".... At least give this book a chance, regardless of your political inclinations. I would argue this is a must read for people in business today, and especially those with young families.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth your time
Review: Robert Reich was one of the few giants in the Clinton era/administration and this book is on par with the man and the fact he knows what a priority is as well as a great vision or what a great visionary is. The book is shy 300 pages in length and divided into Three sections. Part One is:The New Work and covers sections on: The age of the terrific deal; The spirit of Innovation; Of Geeks and Shrinks; The Obsolescence of Loyalty; The end of employment as we knew it Part Two is:The New Life and covers The lure of hard work; The sale of the self; the incredible shrinking family; paying for attention and the community of the commodity. Part Three: Choices is short and sweet and covers Personal choice and Public choice. The inroduction begins: "A few years ago I had a job that consumed me. I wasn't addicted to it--"addiction" suggests an irrational attachment, slightly masochistic, compulstive. My problem was that I loved my job and couldn't get enough of it..." He then goes on to share in a very poignant manner how most parts of his life suffered for it. That he lost touch with friends and even to a large extent with his family. Then he got a wake up call.... Maybe it is because I myself have seen how the new economy and how high tech in our local silicon valley has altered work hours and lack of family as a priority I was drawn to this book. Because I have sons. Who know all to well the sleep on the cot or floor at work mode and how men and women in their 20's soon found themselves turning 30 and pausing in semi-shock to ask themselves where the hell did my 20's go? And because I am a big "one or none" child type, I was especially drawn to his piece on The incredible shrinking family and how the modern family not only lives in a bigger house but is away from the home for more hours and days than in any other generation. That the home may have more "stuff" but it has less family. And how sociologist have even coined a term or acronym which is DINS or double income no sex to describe the state of the new family. But it is the last two sections on Personal choice and Public choice that I think everyone should read. Because he gets down to the niddy griddy and speaks about cause and effect and about right vs responsibilty and how our choices effect society at large. Yes even when its about high tech and the new economy. I only wish that the blurbs on the back cover had not been from just media people/writers but that some high tech names had shared their thoughts on his work as well. Especially since it is the ones in the business that know what the doing and not just the observation and talk is all about.
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