by Christopher Hayes (Get the Book)Hayes (editor at large, The Nation), host of MSNBC's Up w/ Chris Hayes, here presents a valuable analysis of what is wrong with the United States. In a well-researched and well-written presentation, he argues convincingly that the nation's elite have botched just about everything. But more importantly, Hayes makes a solid case that the existing social order, a meritocracy geared to reward the best and the brightest, is doomed to failure. Yet after Hayes makes these important arguments, his solutions fall short. He calls for taxing the rich and for a vast redistribution of wealth to create not only equality of opportunity in the United States, but "equality of outcomes." He ignores the realities of the deeply divided American political landscape and pins his hopes on the radicalization of the upper middle class, with their ire directed at the wealthiest. VERDICT This is more wishful thinking on the part of the author than a valuable roadmap to show the way for the country to solve its problems, but it will appeal to social theorists and political news junkies, particularly those on the left of the political spectrum. Purchase accordingly. --Library Journal
