We tend to view prolonged economic downturns, such as the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Long Depression of the late nineteenth century,... read full description
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Jan 23, 2012
S'hi
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Really interesting, even though I don't agree with all the conclusions he reaches. Well researched, and lots to contemplate and consider about how we deal with each other. However, I would caution the assumption that we only have the technology route to follow in a particular direction. There are still many more simple technologies which are available at far less cost, which communities can enrich their lives without the huge overheads and expenses of corporate expectation. I suggest people also
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Nov 08, 2011
Marks54
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This is a fairly prolific author in the vein of "pop" sociology, urban planning, etc. The work brings to mind books like "Bowling Alone", which I have read but not included on the list, "Clustering America", and the like. The biggest contribution of these books is to translate social science research into accessible terms that are related to current issues. I had heard a lot about this guy, so I decided to try this book, which is popular and short.
The p More...
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Jun 01, 2011
Andrew
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I am old. I enjoy reading books about the economy now. Whenever I hear the phrase "credit default swap" I drool as if in response to a dinner bell. The Great Reset (by "Creative Class" economist Richard Florida) also comes equipped with historical lessons (the other go-to genre of the aging man). He argues that the 1870's and 1930's, two periods of depression, where also periods of great innovation which fueled eventual economic growth. It was as if, during these depressions,
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Apr 21, 2011
Paul
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Richard Florida, whose books including "The Rise of the Creative Class" consistently document what he believes to be the growing influence of that class, returns in his latest work with a recession-era manifesto suggesting ways we can work together to foster that class and engage in a major reset of how we work and prosper. “We are living through an even more powerful and fundamental economic shift, from an industrial system to an economy that is increasingly powered by knowledge, crea
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Jan 29, 2011
Karin
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Florida is a great researcher, analyst, and writer. Although personally I am not on the same page politically, I enjoyed this book and found it thought-provoking. Part I details historical resets in our nation's history and how they compare to the most current economic crisis. I am bored when reading historical background but I found this incredibly interesting. The chapters on innovation and the progressive decades detailed where we started and ended with the reminder that a skilled and t
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Dec 28, 2010
John
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I've been meaning to read something by Richard Florida for a while, and finally found a few days to get through this. A light read, but should give most people 5-10 things to take away.
The Great Reset discusses how our current recession can be an opportunity for the country to "reset" itself, much as we did during the depressions of the 1870's and 1930's. During both of those dark periods, the U.S. economy transformed itself, for the better.
Florida discusses ways w More...
The Great Reset discusses how our current recession can be an opportunity for the country to "reset" itself, much as we did during the depressions of the 1870's and 1930's. During both of those dark periods, the U.S. economy transformed itself, for the better.
Florida discusses ways w More...
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Oct 28, 2010
Kyle
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Richard Florida gives an excellent examination of how the current economic situation we find ourselves in compares with two other economic calamities: The Long Recession of the 1870s and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Florida accurately assesses that this is in league with those moments, and that the changes that come from it will change our lives dramatically. It is a very quick, well-written and lively book that many will find interesting even if one is primarily a fiction reader.
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Sep 27, 2011
Rosa
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Florida’s The Great Reset is a terrific Sense of Place book: It explains in an urbanist’s economic language why life as we know it is changing, and how that can be a good thing looking forward — so come on people, let’s make it happen!
The current events of the day largely swirl around us steeped in negativity, further gloom-and-doomed by political polarity and ideology hopelessly stalled at its extremes. Thus I wanted to read a book backed by credible research which would help me bet More...
The current events of the day largely swirl around us steeped in negativity, further gloom-and-doomed by political polarity and ideology hopelessly stalled at its extremes. Thus I wanted to read a book backed by credible research which would help me bet More...
Jun 02, 2010
Will
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Richard Florida covers a lot of turf here, arguing that systemic economic changes happen infrequently, but dramatically, changing not only the technology that supports us, but the geography in which we live our lives. Florida posits that because some natural level of innovation is suppressed by a lack of capital investment during dark economic times, it builds up and and bursts forth once things start to improve.
Florida posits a “Spatial Fix” element to resets, noting mostly the su More...
Florida posits a “Spatial Fix” element to resets, noting mostly the su More...
Jul 13, 2011
Lianne
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This was an interesting book to read. The comparison of today's issues to two previous 'resets' was quite convincing. I knew of the Great Depression (who doesn't?) and how things changed, but I'd never heard of the earlier 'reset' he talked about.
As a Canadian, I've been less affected by the world financial problems (he talks at one point how no Canadian banks failed, and housing prices never had more than a slight dip since the 2008 crisis), but we cannot avoid being affected by wha More...
As a Canadian, I've been less affected by the world financial problems (he talks at one point how no Canadian banks failed, and housing prices never had more than a slight dip since the 2008 crisis), but we cannot avoid being affected by wha More...
Aug 24, 2011
William
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Using the backdrop of the Long Depression (1870s) and the Great Depression (1930s) and their aftermaths, Richard Florida looks at today's social - economic crisis and what is likely to drive life after the Great Recession.
In a book that is reader friendly, easy to read, yet well documented, Florida examines the post Long Depression and Great Depression periods and what social and economic changes those periods created. Florida call these periods "Resets." Seeing today's Grea More...
In a book that is reader friendly, easy to read, yet well documented, Florida examines the post Long Depression and Great Depression periods and what social and economic changes those periods created. Florida call these periods "Resets." Seeing today's Grea More...
Jul 25, 2011
Joel
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Reset is the quickest read yet from Florida. If you've read his other books, you already know his primary themes. This book is mostly an added history lesson. That history is the best portion of this book, as he explains how we arrived where we are. He covers the immense innovation and productivity that can emerge from depressions. Innovation always continues, it just manifests in a burst of implementation when capital stocks recover. He also explores the ways in which the suburban, individu
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Dec 22, 2011
Chris
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Florida makes a case for why our current economic problems are similar to the Long Depression of 1873, and draws a connection between housing busts in 1873, 1929, and today. He's got a convincing theory that what we're seeing is a long-term restructuring of the economy, one that will ultimately be reflected by a "spatial fix" in which people start moving to where they have the most opportunity.
All this makes sense, though I wonder if he's being a little too utopian. Florida More...
All this makes sense, though I wonder if he's being a little too utopian. Florida More...
Aug 12, 2011
In the last two centuries there has been two other 'resets.' One was in the latter part of the 19th century, which had very frighenting root causes as the current economic crisis. The second was the Great Depression. The first reset was followed by the industrial expansion at the turn of the 20th century. WWII and the economic boom of the 50's and 60's followed the Great Depression. The latter lead to suburbanisation. What will the current reset lead to?
Richard Florida argues for a revampe More...
Richard Florida argues for a revampe More...
Jan 01, 2012
3.5 stars
Phew, this was my wake up in the middle of the night and read to try and get back to sleep book. So, this wasn't an easy book to get through, but it had some interesting ideas. It describes historically what it calls "Resets", the first taking place in the 1870s, and the second in the 1930. Finally, the "Great Reset" is what they call today's condition. The author doesn't think that resets are necessarily bad; in fact, they cause us to move forward, because they More...
Phew, this was my wake up in the middle of the night and read to try and get back to sleep book. So, this wasn't an easy book to get through, but it had some interesting ideas. It describes historically what it calls "Resets", the first taking place in the 1870s, and the second in the 1930. Finally, the "Great Reset" is what they call today's condition. The author doesn't think that resets are necessarily bad; in fact, they cause us to move forward, because they More...
Jan 19, 2012
Upom
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Florida's general point was just so banal, that it made the book pointless: economies and societies adjust to new economic realities. Anyone who with a bit of sense and a little history understands What irked me further was his attempt to rewrite the economic history of the last 150 years as a product of "great resets", his own unnecessary term for economic adjustment. Florida cherry picks history, completely foregoing any true consideration of the Industrial Revolution or macroeconomi
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Aug 21, 2010
Peter
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Richard Florida, teaches at the Rotman School of Business in Toronto Canada and is one of the leading thinkers about innovation, geography and where economic prosperity will exist in the years ahead as well discussing those who will propel it. Having nearly finished this book I find it loaded (overloaded) with statistics but that doesn't take away from Florida's point that we need to update our thinking in any number of ways from education, infrastructure and how we perceive what is possible f
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Jun 30, 2010
Anna
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Do you wonder about the future structure of the U.S. economy? What will happen to Detroit now that it has lost much of its manufacturing base or to Phoenix with its stunning drop in home prices? Richard Florida examines how both the economy and community were reset after the depressions of the 1870s and the 1930s and what must happen to the structure of the current economy in order to begin growing again. He argues that we must increase the value of service jobs, recognize the importance of t
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Jul 27, 2010
Aaron
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Defintiely my favourite of Florida's books to date. I found that he offered some great insights into our current economic landscape, along with tangible, realistic solutions to take away from it. From start to finish, I found this to be a very engaging read, really highlighting his understanding of our urban landscape and the wealth of potential there is given the current situation.
Mar 14, 2011
Collin
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This book was very timely for me being a young (wanna be) professional. The book discusses our post-crash economy and what we need to do to rebound. Florida gives a brief history of how the economy was able to reset after previous crashes, recessions, and depressions. He proceeds to advocate for less focus on real estate, spending, and manufacturing or the old economy and focus more on the new economy. The new economy being technology, education,and entrepreneurship. The book is a enjoyable and
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Dec 26, 2010
Chris
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By focusing on what our world will look like after recovery, Dr. Florida carves out an interesting place in the conversation between how bad the recession has been and the search for signs of a turnaround. These ideas and his vision, as usual, makes me hope people with power are listening (eh, or reading).
Jan 23, 2011
Meghan
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Richard Florida's vision of the future is definitely what I am interested in for my future--high speed rail, walkable communities, less reliance on cars and highways and smaller housing. But it's really just a dream at this point. Florida can't quite bring himself to admit it, but through selected quotes of his colleagues he manages to admit that "the evidence for [being frugal] is 'more like wishful thinking."
Florida's historical analysis of two previous American depression More...
Florida's historical analysis of two previous American depression More...
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Nov 03, 2011
James
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Utterly forgettable. I've already forgotten it. Go visit your local Occupy camp, and you'll probably learn more in 5 minutes than you would from this. Or read some Bruce Sterling, especially Distractions.
Jun 13, 2010
Derek
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Richard Florida returns to form in this book. He is spot on in his assessments of our current crisis and what it means to future generations. While I am conflicted about the changes that are already occurring it is impossible to ignore them any longer. This is a must read to anyone caring about economics, government and/or education.
Sep 15, 2010
Harry
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Florida makes a case for renting rather than owning a home. He thinks the day of the suburb has passed. The book is redundant --- overly long.
Sep 13, 2011
Ken
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I enjoyed the history lesson, placing our current economy in perspective. Florida's focus on how transportation has changed after each reset and his recommendations for how we "move" ourselves about the planet now should be required reading by all levels of government in this country.
Oct 13, 2010
Doran
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Very interesting insights about what has happened in the past and how that might impact our future. The predictions about transportation are particularly interesting.
Oct 02, 2010
Carolyn
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Very interesting view of what happens as we slowly recover from the current economic morass. Lots of food for thought.
Sep 06, 2010
Martha
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An interesting look at the current economic downturn, with the hopeful twist that in 2 to 3 decades, we may reap the benefits of creativity and change that economic upheaval results in.
