The Upswing: How We Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again

Description

The Upswing is Robert D. Putnam's brilliant analysis of economic, social, culturaland political trends from the Gilded Age to the present, showing howAmerica went from an individualistic 'I' society to a more communitarian 'We'society and then back again, and how we can all learn from that experience. In the late nineteenth century, America was highly individualistic, starkly unequal,fiercely polarised and deeply fragmented, just as it is today. However,as the twentieth century dawned, America became - slowly, unevenly, butsteadily - more egalitarian, more cooperative, more generous; a society 'on theupswing,' more focused on responsibilities to each other and less focused onnarrow self-interest. Over the course of the 1960s, however, these trends reversedonce again, leading to today's disarray. In a sweeping overview of more than a century of history, Putnam and RomneyGarrett draw on inspiring lessons for our time from an earlier era, when adedicated group of reformers righted the ship, creating once again a societybased on community. Engaging, revelatory and timely, this is Putnam's mostambitious work yet, with a relevance right across the anglophone world. It isan unmissable contribution to the debate about where we want society to go.

Robert D. Putnam is the Malkin Research Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University and a former Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has written fourteen books, including the bestselling Our Kids and Bowling Alone, and has consulted for the last four US Presidents. In 2012, President Obama awarded him the National Humanities Medal. His research program, the Saguaro Seminar, is dedicated to fostering civic engagement in America. Visit RobertDPutnam.com. Shaylyn Romney Garrett is a writer and award-winning social entrepreneur. She is a founding contributor to 'Weave: The Social Fabric Project,' an Aspen Institute initiative. She also contributed to Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell's American Grace. Shaylyn holds a degree in Government from Harvard University, and is a returned Peace Corps volunteer. Visit ShaylynRomneyGarrett.com.

'Putnam's book speaks for the many millions who don't think the way zealots do' - Guardian 'Original and important, and uplifting precisely when that is most needed' - TLS 'A landmark book' - New Statesman 'An ambitious book, impressively written, easy to read, meticulously researched and imbued throughout with the authors' concern for the fate of their country' - Irish Times