Locked in the Cabinet is a close-up view of the way things work, and often don't work, at the highest levels of government--and a uniquely p...
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Dec 16, 2009
Jeff
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Robert Reich was the Secretary of Labor during President Clinton's first term, and was also probably the most liberal member of Clinton's staff. This introduction sets the stage for much of what happens in this light-hearted and surprisingly funny political memoir. I was most impressed with his bravery in defending positions that are both unpopular and almost certainly incorrect. For example, he seems to take great pleasure in criticizing Alan Greenspan. He also repeatedly argues that Clinto
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May 06, 2010
Alisha
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Okay, so the only reason I even picked up Locked in the Cabinet was because it was assigned reading for my Political Science class. Normally, I don't review things that I've been assigned to read because being assigned to read something sucks the fun out of actually reading. So, my opinion of the book tends to suffer.
Anyway, besides being assigned to read Locked in the Cabinet, I found it rather enjoyable. I had assumed that it was going to be a dry, boring, political memoir with More...
Anyway, besides being assigned to read Locked in the Cabinet, I found it rather enjoyable. I had assumed that it was going to be a dry, boring, political memoir with More...
Dec 17, 2009
Andrew
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This book is written in the form of a diary. Robert Reich was Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton. Reich relates the ups and downs of working in a presidential cabinet. Reich has a light writing style, with occasional self-deprication, outrage, elation, and frustration. He portrays some of the personal sacrifices demanded of public service.
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Jun 30, 2011
Having recently begun Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future by Robert Reich, I thought it might be best to revisit the author’s 1998 memoir Locked in the Cabinet which chronicles his years as the Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. His book is an incredibly interesting account of the inner workings of the Department of Labor written in a warm, witty and humorous way. Reich observed the growing chasm between the rich and the poor and was a staunch advocate for retraining
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Apr 07, 2009
Dan
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For someone who is an enemy of the American people, Reich is a perceptive and entertaining writer. I'm ambivalent now. Reading books about the Clinton administration is one of the most depressing activities possible. Why?
1. All these people, thinking they are doing good, and working so hard to further the bubble-driven, short-term only, economy we live in.
2. Knowing that they knew full well the problems in income inequality, public utilities, and education, and that they More...
1. All these people, thinking they are doing good, and working so hard to further the bubble-driven, short-term only, economy we live in.
2. Knowing that they knew full well the problems in income inequality, public utilities, and education, and that they More...
Oct 25, 2010
Kjes
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excellent if you want a picture of what a joke D.C. is. The author was in the cabinet for Clinton. Things were not bad until it was time to start campaigning for a second term. Clinton caved to scumbag Dick Morris, who had regained the governship for him; the whole white house gave up their values and goals in service to Morris and the bid for a second presidential term. Reich appears very decent and kept trying to take on Greenspan and other walls. Huld rarely get gov't to do the right th
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Jul 01, 2008
Brian
rated it: 
Entertainment-1 Stars
Education- 1 Star
Readability- 1 star
Innovation- 1 Stars
Inspiration- 1 Stars
Total = 5 Stars
This is a fascinating look inside DC. Some people call Reich a commie and say he is too far over the line. I have seen some other critism saying he just made up things. I think it was really just how he saw things, and everyone has different perspectives. I can forgive him for seeing the world and himself through rose colored glasses. More...
Education- 1 Star
Readability- 1 star
Innovation- 1 Stars
Inspiration- 1 Stars
Total = 5 Stars
This is a fascinating look inside DC. Some people call Reich a commie and say he is too far over the line. I have seen some other critism saying he just made up things. I think it was really just how he saw things, and everyone has different perspectives. I can forgive him for seeing the world and himself through rose colored glasses. More...
Jan 29, 2009
Laura
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Anyone that reconts conversations with Alan Greenspan but refers to him as Mephistophales with smoke coming out his ears has my vote! Even if you are not into politics, this is a great book for a fresh and often humorous perspective of what it is like to be in the president's cabinet. That and I just love Robert Reich. He's adorable and brilliant.
Jan 21, 2009
Emily C.
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Surprisingly, this political memoir from the Clinton administration is absolutely hilarious! I also learned a lot about, in general, how policy is made and specifically, how the raise on the minimum wage got passed back in the 90s. A very fun read for anyone interested in labor or policy.
Jan 28, 2011
Jim
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Funny and seemingly honest, Reich gives you a sense of what it's like to try to steer such a large department. He takes pride in lasting chunks he felt he accomplished. My take away from the book is that it's still tough to get much done at that level, despite the lofty perch.
Dec 30, 2010
Frédérique
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About being Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. Funny. It's clear he was extremely disillusioned by his time in Cabinet, but he never got bitter. The author alludes to his disability in a matter-of-fact way throughout. I recommend highly. (four and a half stars)
Oct 13, 2010
A classic in understanding the working of the White House.
I read it about 2000, and particularly enjoyed Reichs account of how the campaign promise to raise the minimum wage was quickly squelched by Alan Geenspan as impractical and too dispruptive to the economy.
I read it about 2000, and particularly enjoyed Reichs account of how the campaign promise to raise the minimum wage was quickly squelched by Alan Geenspan as impractical and too dispruptive to the economy.
Jul 03, 2011
Cathy
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Remarkably entertaining for a book about politics. I laughed at Robert Reich's sense of humor and the bizarre rituals he described in the halls of power, while I despaired because the battles he fought while in office are still being fought.
Apr 12, 2009
Melinda
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Read this for my Political Science class on the Presidency of the U.S. It was pretty depressing with regards to our government, but thoroughly entertaining and eye-opening.
Jul 20, 2009
Cheryl
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The frustrations of being a liberal cabinet member in a moderate presidents cabinet (Clinton). Recommended by a friend. Not my genre, but funny. Enlightening!
Jan 01, 2009
Jamel
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The best, and by far the funniest, memoir from the Clinton Administration.
Sep 16, 2009
Meg - A Bookish Affair
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This book was pretty good. Robert Reich was the Secretary of Labor under the first Clinton term. I have to say that before this book, I didn't really have a clear picture of what exactly the Secy of Labor did. It is always interesting to me to read the memoirs of people inside the government; you tend to find out about a lot of things that occurred behind the scenes. This book would be good for any political junkie.
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Aug 09, 2008
Carolyn
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I'm such a political junkie that I read a ton of political memoirs, but this one may just be my favorite all time. Reich writes passionately about one of the issues that's most important to me - the increasing income gap between rich and poor. But not only was the book inspiring, it was really funny. He has a fabulous sense of humor and is a very entertaining writer.
Dec 29, 2011
Ben
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Excellent, but extremely depressing. Reading it made me think more about the types of policies we work on and their wisdom more than anything else I've seen. Highly recommended for anyone who works with or in government.
Dec 16, 2009
marion
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I really wanted to read this book, it sounded interesting and I got half way through and I was sort of sick of hearing this guy talk about everything, he wasn't really complaining but he sort of repeated himself a lot and I really wanted him to get on with it. He was really funny at time though.
Jan 28, 2008
Maggie
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Reich is great, and this book digs into the disaster of Clinton's "welfare reform" through the heart of someone who saw theirs broken by what the administration did despite his protests.
Mar 16, 2008
Bap
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I found Reich to be a little man in ways he did not image. He was a secretary of labor who could barely disdain his discomfort and even contempt for organized labor.
May 17, 2008
Paul
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I'm liking this book very much, although he plays up the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington angle to a larger degree than necessary.
Jan 04, 2008
Kate
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Eye opening for anyone who cares at all about the Clinton administration
