A Crisis Wasted: Barack Obama’s Defining Decisions

Book Overview: A Crisis Wasted: Barack Obama’s Defining Decisions

“The blow by blow story of a president and his team wasting the ‘opportunity’ of the Great Recession to change the fundamentals of the economy.” — Steven Brill, New York Times- bestselling author

This book is the compelling story of President Obama’s domestic policy decisions made between September 2008 and his inauguration on January 20, 2009. Barack Obama determined the fate of his presidency before he took office. His momentous decisions led to Donald Trump, for Obama the worst person imaginable, taking his place eight years later.

This book describes these decisions and discusses how the results could have been different. Based on dozens of interviews with actors in the Obama transition, as well as the author’s personal observations, this book provides unique commentary of those defining decisions of winter 2008-2009.

A decade later, the ramifications of the Great Recession and the role of government in addressing the crisis animate the ideological battle between progressivism and neoliberalism in the Democratic Party and the radical direction of the Republican Party. As many seek the presidency in the November 2020 election, all candidates and of course the eventual winner will face decisions that may be as critical and difficult as those confronted by Barack Obama. This book aims to provide the guidance of history.

“A powerfully lucid, compelling and surprising achievement . . . makes a subtle but irresistible argument that, given the conservative undertow of American politics, liberals and progressives who are serious about change can’t just wing it but must prepare detailed economic policy analyses and prescriptions long in advance of taking power.” –Congressman Jamie Raskin, Representative from Maryland’s 8th District

ISBN-13	9780795353383
ISBN-10	0795353383
Publisher	RosettaBooks
Publication Date	2021
Edition	First Edition
Language	en
Pages	398
Dimensions	in x in x in
Weight	lbs

About the Author

Reed Hundt

Reed Hundt is a renowned author, advisor, and thought leader. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 1993 to 1997, during which he pioneered the implementation of the 1996 Telecommunications Reform Act. Prior to his role in the FCC, Hundt held the position as a partner in the law firm Latham & Watkins.

Bolstering an impressive educational background, Hundt is a Yale Law School graduate, and he holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor’s degree from Yale College. His extensive experience and knowledge have guided his published works, cementing his reputation as a respected authority within the legal and telecommunication fields.

As an author, his published works include “In China’s Shadow,” which explores the Sino-U.S. relations and economic correlations. He also penned “You Say You Want a Revolution,” a compelling take on the policy changes in America’s public companies. Hundt’s ability to navigate complex subject matters with ease and insight defines his writing, making him a trusted voice within the spheres of political and economic discourse.