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Summary: An excellent preview of the upcoming election
Review: After reading this book, I can't help but think that the "yadda yadda" comment came from someone who was jealous they hadn't written the book first. The points made by the author have been adopted by the mainstream press in the last few months, so she must have gotten something right. As a member of the "older" generation, I am eager to see what the Gen-Xers do in the 2000 election. I believe this book will be an important reference resource.
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Summary: Sharp and sassy! Never thought I'd like a political book.
Review: An inspirational narrative that finally sounds like someone is telling the truth about a world skewed by media frenzy and political spin control. A highly recommended read!
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Summary: Wonderful Book!
Review: As a member of the 18-35 generation, I found Mitchell's book to be an excellent reminder of all the good things young people can do in politics. The different "snapshots" of individuals around the country were enjoyable, varied, and insightful. I am so motivated to take a more active role in government now! I read this book in one night and felt it was an evening well spent.
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Summary: Engaging, Lively and Fun
Review: Finally, a book about a political issue that I actually want to read! I don't know what the reviewers from Boston and Washington thought they would find, but most of us don't live, breathe and eat politics. Nonetheless, we want to understand it and Michele has written a book that helps me understand, as well as inspires me to stay involved. As for the "sweeping generalizations" crack, isn't that what all books are? Besides, you couldn't have actually read the book if you missed the specific details and specific examples cited to back up the generalizations. I wonder if the people who trash the book here are simply jealous that they didn't write it first. Michele Mitchell is on to something and it sounds like that something makes some people uncomfortable. Good for her!
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Summary: Thanks to those who read the book and took time to comment.
Review: I am amazed that people have gone to the trouble to give analysis almost a year after the book was published. All the commentary--both flattering and not--has been extremely valuable to me. I would still write the book the same way, combining narrative and fact, even though the narrative seemed to distract some readers from the compilation of statistics. I was always surprised when reader reviewers glossed over the latter, since there are ample source notes documenting all conclusions. I will add this note to the narrative: it was never meant as a string of "case studies." I wanted to build a narrative that featured a few people who were actually doing the work of shaping a political identity. I did this--as opposed to racking up random anecdotes or an expository structure--to make the subject of politics accessible and interesting to people who wouldn't usually pick up a political book. It was gratifying nonetheless to see that even those reviewers who didn't like the style at least were provoked long enough to say what they thought. If my book has done its job, just as many people will disagree with its conclusions as those who will agree. I am looking forward to further debate (!) when the paperback is released....
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Summary: Politics Catches Up!
Review: I came to bury Mitchell, not to praise her. But after reading her own post and the five star reviews, I've reconsidered -- Not! Mitchell truly deserves kudos for turning some people on to politics. But if you want to get interested in politics you should start somewhere else. Anywhere else. I kid you not, I'm sitting by 6 x 10 feet of bookshelves packed with political books and this is The Worst I've ever read. I had high hopes for "A New Kind..." and Mitchell deserves credit for attempting to attack the stereotype of GenX apathy. With a bow to her post comments which say otherwise, this book is too top heavy with case studies. And case studies do not make a case. Okay, so GenXers excel at computers and watch MTV and listen(ed) to Pearl Jam. Fine. But then they vote and volunteer like pretty much everyone else. And in a way that's probably Mitchell's point, that they're as active as anyone. But I was hoping for a unique vision, or at least a clear take on what Generation X means to her. And within the chaotic writing (how many times did she hit 'cut' and 'paste' to try to throw such disparate thoughts together) that would get an English teacher's red pen smoking, neither a vision nor a cohesive theme can be found. I just turned 34, and am more in step with the "Blank Generation" (who came of age during Reagan, punk, and Wall Street 'heroes') than the younger crowd Mitchell covers. Still, I had very high hopes for this book. And while it may be more ambitious than, say, cheap supermarket Tom Clancy knockoffs, "A New Kind..." stands as the worst political book I've ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: Warning! Stay Away!
Review: I came to bury Mitchell, not to praise her. But after reading her own post and the five star reviews, I've reconsidered -- Not! Mitchell truly deserves kudos for turning some people on to politics. But if you want to get interested in politics you should start somewhere else. Anywhere else. I kid you not, I'm sitting by 6 x 10 feet of bookshelves packed with political books and this is The Worst I've ever read. I had high hopes for "A New Kind..." and Mitchell deserves credit for attempting to attack the stereotype of GenX apathy. With a bow to her post comments which say otherwise, this book is too top heavy with case studies. And case studies do not make a case. Okay, so GenXers excel at computers and watch MTV and listen(ed) to Pearl Jam. Fine. But then they vote and volunteer like pretty much everyone else. And in a way that's probably Mitchell's point, that they're as active as anyone. But I was hoping for a unique vision, or at least a clear take on what Generation X means to her. And within the chaotic writing (how many times did she hit 'cut' and 'paste' to try to throw such disparate thoughts together) that would get an English teacher's red pen smoking, neither a vision nor a cohesive theme can be found. I just turned 34, and am more in step with the "Blank Generation" (who came of age during Reagan, punk, and Wall Street 'heroes') than the younger crowd Mitchell covers. Still, I had very high hopes for this book. And while it may be more ambitious than, say, cheap supermarket Tom Clancy knockoffs, "A New Kind..." stands as the worst political book I've ever read.
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Summary: This book draws those who love it and those who hate it.
Review: I can hardly wait to read this book (which I have just ordered) after reading all of the interesting reviews in amazon.com. Although it draws both "great" and "bad" reviews, I expect to enjoy reading it, and to learn something about "Generation X."
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Summary: A keen glimpse into a powerful political revolution
Review: I can't help but think the first review on this page was written by a scared status-quo politician with an axe to grind against Ms. Mitchell. But this book is too insightful and true to be so easily dismissed. The book provides a very keen look at the political attitudes of the so-called generation X. As a person in this age group (I'm 27) it provided a sense of validation and a real epiphany for me. We've been stereotyped as apathetic and uninvolved, but this book exposes that as myth and shows that we're merely involved in a new and unconventional way. This has confounded career politicians who don't know how to buy our vote by luring us into the "goodie system." We simply will not be bought and it frustrates the career politicians. The book provides a fascinating look at what politics in the future may be like. And I can tell you, this book's observations are very on-the-mark. The book gives a glimpse at a developing political revolution that is being brought on by the 18-35 generation. It is sure to catch many politicians off guard. Highly recommended. If you want to see the future of politics, you can't afford to miss this book.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth the time
Review: I could deal with the fact that this book is shallow and touchy-feely if it weren't for the fact that the author makes such sweeping generalizations based on a handful of case studies. There is little original thought in this book, but somehow she must have felt that coming from a twenty-something it would sound fresh and insightful. Better luck next time...
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