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What Americans Really Want...Really: The Truth About Our Hopes, Dreams, and Fears
No one in America has done more observing of more people than Dr. Frank I. Luntz. From Bill O'Reilly to Bill Maher, America's leading pundits, prognosticators, and CEOs turn to Luntz to explain the present and to predict the future. With all the upheavals of recent events, the plans and priorities of the American people have undergone a seismic shift. Businesses everywhere...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
September 15th 2009
by Hyperion
(first published 2009)
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I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. I was even more surprised at how much I found myself agreeing with the author.
When I think of Frank Luntz I think of a soldier in the army of conservative republican media pundits. I think of a friend of G W Bush and I think of a guy whose every word I would question.
The book however, although certainly political at times, was more of what I would expect from a true social scientist. Most of it was pretty uncontroversial. Women respond bet...more
When I think of Frank Luntz I think of a soldier in the army of conservative republican media pundits. I think of a friend of G W Bush and I think of a guy whose every word I would question.
The book however, although certainly political at times, was more of what I would expect from a true social scientist. Most of it was pretty uncontroversial. Women respond bet...more
Have you met the Frank Luntzes? Frank Luntz #1 is a market researcher who helps companies by listening ultra-carefully to what consumers are saying about products and business accountability. Luntz #2 is a political operative who takes his polling information and then advises politicians on new methods of phraseology and wordsmithing to make political messaging more, um, palatable, to the public electorate.
In his latest book, “What Americans Really Want…Really: The Truth About Our Hopes, Dreams,...more
In his latest book, “What Americans Really Want…Really: The Truth About Our Hopes, Dreams,...more
I love data, surveys etc so alway enjoy Luntz's views. Some takeaways from the surveys:
In today's media people have reinforcing feedback loops that affirm beliefs rather than inform them. Some stats on attendance at religous services being positively correlated with happiness (similar to the data in Gross National Happiness). On handling employees: don't say things are "fair" and don't assume they know the condition of the company. Words that don't work: bailout, cuts in medicare spending. Words...more
In today's media people have reinforcing feedback loops that affirm beliefs rather than inform them. Some stats on attendance at religous services being positively correlated with happiness (similar to the data in Gross National Happiness). On handling employees: don't say things are "fair" and don't assume they know the condition of the company. Words that don't work: bailout, cuts in medicare spending. Words...more
Dr. Frank I. Luntz conducts focus groups and takes surveys of people for hundreds of companies and government agencies. He has compiled his understanding of what Americans, in general, are like. I am somewhat suspicious of surveys because how things are worded plays such a role in the outcome, but most of the conclusions Dr. Luntz reaches seem on target when compared to other reading and my experiences. Especially interesting was a section where he talks about what makes America unique and stron...more
Listened to on audio CD. What an interesting and deeply engaging study on what Americans largely want. Luntz pulls no punches and presents empirical results to his extensive research for support. Oh, I sure wish people would listen to Luntz more (businesses, parents, children, teens, politicians, etc). I especially love his findings surrounding religious people, which turns out to be a damning rebuke to mainstream attempts to remove religion from as many areas as possible. Good stuff!
I thoroughl...more
I thoroughl...more
Some of the information in this book is unsettling - it may be right on, but the ramifications are troubling.
If the people in the US are as self-centered and selfish as this book protrays, or want outcomes that are untenable, e.g., entering the work-force without any experience, expecting a promotion and raise before anything is accomplished.
"I want what I want when I want it" is the mantra. Unfortunately it won't work that way, and not a few will be angry.
If the people in the US are as self-centered and selfish as this book protrays, or want outcomes that are untenable, e.g., entering the work-force without any experience, expecting a promotion and raise before anything is accomplished.
"I want what I want when I want it" is the mantra. Unfortunately it won't work that way, and not a few will be angry.
Liked that it is a blend of other's research and his own research. He does a great job at explaining what people are thinking and feeling about where we are, from employees, older americans, young americans, and everyone inbetween. Very interesting is to know if you work are an employer or you just want to better understand some of neighbor's rational in how and why they think the way they do. Very easy to read and wasn't too high brow or techinal to read.
Great book about marketing. Luntz is a master of knowing the huge differences between seemingly similar word choices. He also has a lot of fascinating ideas about where and how to look for new opportunities. For example: anything that will shave 10 minutes off a suburban mother's day. And: consumers will generally try something new for their evenings, but are much less likely to tamper with their morning routine.
Mostly good. Parts do make me wonder about the accuracy of polls. But it's certainly a solid starting point for trying to figure out what the hell is going on in people's minds. It paints a picture of an America that is in most ways less ignorant than you might imagine, but in some ways is scary. Hats off to Mr. Luntz for highlighting our hypocrisy. The last chapter made me think kindly of the author.
I listened to this as a book on tape. It had some good points, some things I agreed with and disagreed with, and was sometimes dry to listen to. Despite that, though, Luntz makes some very valid points and has a lot of research to back up his points. While listening it sparks your mind into thinking of various opportunities that you can create yourself.
I really enjoy watching the focus groups that Frank Luntz uses to analyze what the public likes and doesn't like. During the past presidential campaign I think I saw Frank with one of his groups at least once a week. While I don't think you can judge everyone by a focus group, I do think there is a lot to learn about people by watching this.
In this book Frank is polling people about much more than politics. He gives us info about religion, work, and other topics that are important to people.
Th...more
In this book Frank is polling people about much more than politics. He gives us info about religion, work, and other topics that are important to people.
Th...more
Interesting and easy to read, but a little condescending - he is telling us about ourselves, after all. But his book is really written for businesses; he wants to help entrepreneurs spot an opportunity and act on it. Though you may disagree, he articulates ideas and priorities that you may not have thought about until now.
fascinating book about what Americans believe and what they want in their lives. Luntz does a great job analysing what we want-he's right on the money. Great book for marketers, businesses, politicians (I wish they would read this and actually do what it says)and anyone else that is interested in the pulse of America.
This is a very good "drive by" look at cultural preferences in American society. What we want, how we want it, what we don't, etc. If you are responsible for shaping product development or for advertising/sales, this is a good, current, quick study.
Fascinating book. Frank Luntz gives you an insight into why the general mood is 180 degrees out of phase with the general direction. He approaches politics, employers, employees, producers and consumers from a positive view point. This book is for anyone interested in improving.
Well-done book by noted conservative pollster Luntz. Written is a conversational style, it covers a wide range of American opinion. Luntz should also do some international work...would be an intriguing contrast...
An amazing book.. should be a must read for every CEO out there. Someone needs to start listening to the people and what we want.. not what they think we want.
Excellent analysis on what we, as a people, want from our country and ourselves. Frank Luntz knows the pulse of the American people.
Jerry got this book and I didn't think I would like it, but I found the surveys interesting.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would
Frank Luntz's perspective is so interesting...and spot on.
Frank Luntz is a pollster and he makes statistics interesting. Who knew? He gives us a good picture of ourselves as a country. Some of the information, especially about teens and high school students is disturbing.
I like Frank Luntz. I like hearing what he says about his focus groups on Fox.
I like Frank Luntz. I like hearing what he says about his focus groups on Fox.
Well written. Informative & insightful, I would recommend this book for everyone. We need to look at the future by understanding what Americans are thinking now.
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