What do you think?
Rate this book
Rebuild the Dream
The "American Dream” is the national ethos of the United States. It’s the dream of a country where, if you work hard and play by the rules, you can live with dignity, provide for your family, prosper, and give your children a better life. It’s also the uniting principle that a country that strives for greatness must also take care of its most vulnerable in times of hardship and need. But right now the American Dream is an illusion. Tens of millions of willing workers can’t find jobs. Millions of homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure and millions more are underwater. Instead of investing in our shared future, politicians are giving tax breaks to the rich and then slashing vital services families depend on. Rather than expanding protections for the middle class during these difficult economic times, workers rights are being gutted and public unions are under siege. But a new movement - Rebuild the Dream — is rising all across America. It’s a movement that is growing stronger by the day, and will continue to gain momentum until regular Americans can find jobs, afford to go to college, retire with dignity, and secure a future for their children and their communities.It was born among the teachers, students, firefighters and nurses of Wisconsin who took over their Capitol to stop Governor Walker’s power grab. Now it’s spreading as millions of other Americans–inspired by the events in Madison, Wisconsin–stand up to say “No” to right-wing attacks on the middle class. Van Jones – bestselling author, former Green Jobs Czar to President Obama, and human rights pioneer – is channeling this new wave of energy. Rebuild The Dream – part memoir, part manifesto – forms the core of this exciting movement. Rather than casting today’s political battles as familiar fights between liberals and conservatives, or even as a tug of war between Wall Street and Main Street, Jones presents the conflict in more dire terms: cheap patriotism versus deep patriotism. At stake: the survival of the American Dream itself.Outraged by the escalating attacks on America’s middle class and working families, Rebuild the Dream issues a bold defense of the progressive values that made the 20th Century an American Century. Rejecting the fashionable mantra of cut-backs and austerity, Jones makes the case for public policies and investments that will create 10 million, good-paying American jobs. Along the way, he argues that the 21st Century can be the Second American Century, if the deep patriots stay true to the American ideal of “liberty and justice for all.” And perhaps most surprisingly – Jones extracts powerful insights from the success of the tea party movement.In Rebuild the Dream, Jones spells out how a renewed movement, grounded in tough-minded American idealism, can once again inspire millions to come together and offer real solutions to America’s toughest problems.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2012
32 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Van Jones
21 books139 followersAnthony "Van" Jones is the Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Appointed by Barack Obama in March 2009, the newly created position will find Jones working with various "agencies and departments to advance the administration's climate and energy initiatives, with a special focus on improving vulnerable communities."
Jones is an environmental advocate, civil rights activist, attorney and author. He founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in 1996, a California NGO working for alternatives to violence. During his tenure as Executive Director for the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Jones signed a petition for 911Truth.org in 2004; subsequently, he has said the petition "didn't reflect my views now or ever." In 2005, Jones co-founded Color of Change, an advocacy group for African Americans. Formerly based in Oakland, California, Jones founded Green For All in 2007, a national NGO dedicated to "building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty." His first book, The Green Collar Economy, was released on October 7, 2008, and reached number 12 on the New York Times bestseller list.
In 2008, Time magazine named Jones one of its "Environmental Heroes." Fast Company called him one of the "12 Most Creative Minds of 2008."
Jones is an environmental advocate, civil rights activist, attorney and author. He founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in 1996, a California NGO working for alternatives to violence. During his tenure as Executive Director for the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Jones signed a petition for 911Truth.org in 2004; subsequently, he has said the petition "didn't reflect my views now or ever." In 2005, Jones co-founded Color of Change, an advocacy group for African Americans. Formerly based in Oakland, California, Jones founded Green For All in 2007, a national NGO dedicated to "building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty." His first book, The Green Collar Economy, was released on October 7, 2008, and reached number 12 on the New York Times bestseller list.
In 2008, Time magazine named Jones one of its "Environmental Heroes." Fast Company called him one of the "12 Most Creative Minds of 2008."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 6, 2017
I always knew Van Jones was smart, but I didn’t know just how smart until I read Rebuild the Dream. In recent years, Jones has emerged as one of the most charismatic and outspoken younger leaders of our time. This book proves he has also become one of the most insightful, too.
We live at a time when far too few of us can make sense of what’s happening around us. With the incessant noise of the news media, our full immersion online from dawn to dusk, and the endless distractions of entertainment reflecting a thousand subcultures, it’s all too easy to just lie back and let it all happen, convincing ourselves that no one could possibly perceive meaningful patterns in this donnybrook we call contemporary American life. Jones does, though.
In Rebuild the Dream, he asks — and answers — three questions:
“What can Americans who want to fix the system learn from the movement for hope and change that united around Barack Obama in 2008 — and from its collapse after he entered the White House?
“What can we learn from the Tea Party’s equally impressive capture of the national debate in 2009 — and its successful pivot to electoral politics in 2010?”
And what can we learn from the startling success of Occupy Wall Street in elevating economic inequality to the top of the political agenda in 2011 — and of its failure to translate that success into the electoral arena?
Rebuild the Dream has been greeted as a call to arms to progressives, an exhortation to reenergize ourselves for the November 2012 elections. That’s true, so far as it goes. But this book is far more valuable for its clear-eyed analysis of today’s political scene. Van Jones has devised a simple analytical framework through which we can see — clearly — the similarities and differences among the Occupy Wall Street and Tea Party movements and the 2008 Obama campaign and its aftermath. If Rebuild the Dream is useful as a guidebook for activists determined to swing the pendulum back to the left, in the long run it will be an even better resource for historians and social scientists attempting to understand this tumultuous era in American history.
However, simply as a call to arms, Rebuild the Dream is compelling: “The time has come to turn things right side up again and declare that America’s honest, hard-working middle class is too big to fail. The aspirations of our low-income, struggling, and marginalized communities are too big and important to fail . . . The American Dream itself is too big to fail.”
I’ve known Van Jones for more than a decade, first through the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, which he founded in Oakland in the mid-1990s, and later through Social Venture Network, of which we we were both members. Van also co-founded the online activist organization Color of Change and later, reflecting his turn to environmental activism and his passionate belief that the environment and the economy both benefit hugely by creating ”Green Jobs,” he founded Green for All. Along the way, he also managed to write a New York Times-bestselling book, The Green Collar Economy. Having accomplished all this, however, Jones is nonetheless best-known for his six-month stay in the White House as Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation to President Obama.
It is clearly no coincidence that Color of Change is credited with triggering the successful boycott of Glenn Beck’s hysterical outbursts on Fox News that was responsible for his leaving the network, and that Beck in turn was a central figure in the Right-Wing smear campaign that drove Jones out of his job in the White House.
Jones is a Yale-educated attorney who was born and raised in Tennessee. He is African-American. He is also a very good person to have as a friend. You’ll find an extensive biography of Van Jones here.
(From www.malwarwickonbooks.com)
We live at a time when far too few of us can make sense of what’s happening around us. With the incessant noise of the news media, our full immersion online from dawn to dusk, and the endless distractions of entertainment reflecting a thousand subcultures, it’s all too easy to just lie back and let it all happen, convincing ourselves that no one could possibly perceive meaningful patterns in this donnybrook we call contemporary American life. Jones does, though.
In Rebuild the Dream, he asks — and answers — three questions:
“What can Americans who want to fix the system learn from the movement for hope and change that united around Barack Obama in 2008 — and from its collapse after he entered the White House?
“What can we learn from the Tea Party’s equally impressive capture of the national debate in 2009 — and its successful pivot to electoral politics in 2010?”
And what can we learn from the startling success of Occupy Wall Street in elevating economic inequality to the top of the political agenda in 2011 — and of its failure to translate that success into the electoral arena?
Rebuild the Dream has been greeted as a call to arms to progressives, an exhortation to reenergize ourselves for the November 2012 elections. That’s true, so far as it goes. But this book is far more valuable for its clear-eyed analysis of today’s political scene. Van Jones has devised a simple analytical framework through which we can see — clearly — the similarities and differences among the Occupy Wall Street and Tea Party movements and the 2008 Obama campaign and its aftermath. If Rebuild the Dream is useful as a guidebook for activists determined to swing the pendulum back to the left, in the long run it will be an even better resource for historians and social scientists attempting to understand this tumultuous era in American history.
However, simply as a call to arms, Rebuild the Dream is compelling: “The time has come to turn things right side up again and declare that America’s honest, hard-working middle class is too big to fail. The aspirations of our low-income, struggling, and marginalized communities are too big and important to fail . . . The American Dream itself is too big to fail.”
I’ve known Van Jones for more than a decade, first through the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, which he founded in Oakland in the mid-1990s, and later through Social Venture Network, of which we we were both members. Van also co-founded the online activist organization Color of Change and later, reflecting his turn to environmental activism and his passionate belief that the environment and the economy both benefit hugely by creating ”Green Jobs,” he founded Green for All. Along the way, he also managed to write a New York Times-bestselling book, The Green Collar Economy. Having accomplished all this, however, Jones is nonetheless best-known for his six-month stay in the White House as Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation to President Obama.
It is clearly no coincidence that Color of Change is credited with triggering the successful boycott of Glenn Beck’s hysterical outbursts on Fox News that was responsible for his leaving the network, and that Beck in turn was a central figure in the Right-Wing smear campaign that drove Jones out of his job in the White House.
Jones is a Yale-educated attorney who was born and raised in Tennessee. He is African-American. He is also a very good person to have as a friend. You’ll find an extensive biography of Van Jones here.
(From www.malwarwickonbooks.com)
April 13, 2012
BOOK REVIEW: Rebuild the Dream by Van Jones
I read this book yesterday and was not at all impressed. Here we have a whole book written by a man who went to Princeton, who started a grass-roots movement from scratch, who worked for Obama's administration, and I barely learned a thing. First of all, his prose is horrifically boring. His narrative interweaves his personal, life experience and events into some political theorizing. I felt excited about that before I read the book, precisely because personal experience has the ability to really hook a reader. Well, not his! Good lord, he wrote about his deepest personal experiences so dispassionately, I felt like I was listening to a man tell me the story of another man who was acting out the story of a third man from some time in history no one gives a hoot about. It was so removed. Thus, I felt no connection. Then we get to the political theories and they were things we all know. Nothing at all mind-blowing there. There is a grid-theory he has come up with, and it's a little bit interesting. It did provide me with a new, simple structure for understanding some of what goes on in our nation regarding politics. It was not, however, worth $13 to find out.
I'll tell you what he says right here, for free. The first step to gaining power is to appeal to the hearts of the people. To get voted into office, you must mobilize those people whose hearts you have inspired and get them to want to work for you. In order to create policy, you must be able to think clearly about the facts. The actual creation of policy is a dirty dirty game that will turn your stomach and maybe make you puke into your mouth a little and there is absolutely no room for idealism here.
That's pretty much it. That's a summation of the best he has to offer. Disappointing. I kept thinking to myself...this man went to Princeton? This man was so successful at organizing that he was hired by the President? Well, some people just aren't meant to write books. I think this guy is one of those people.
I just want to be clear, I don't give the book a low rating because of differences between the ideals of Van Jones and my own. No, on the contrary, I think he and I are on a pretty similar page regarding the change we would like to see in our nation. I am critiquing it the way it should be critiqued...based on its content, which, in my opinion, is of very little value.
I read this book yesterday and was not at all impressed. Here we have a whole book written by a man who went to Princeton, who started a grass-roots movement from scratch, who worked for Obama's administration, and I barely learned a thing. First of all, his prose is horrifically boring. His narrative interweaves his personal, life experience and events into some political theorizing. I felt excited about that before I read the book, precisely because personal experience has the ability to really hook a reader. Well, not his! Good lord, he wrote about his deepest personal experiences so dispassionately, I felt like I was listening to a man tell me the story of another man who was acting out the story of a third man from some time in history no one gives a hoot about. It was so removed. Thus, I felt no connection. Then we get to the political theories and they were things we all know. Nothing at all mind-blowing there. There is a grid-theory he has come up with, and it's a little bit interesting. It did provide me with a new, simple structure for understanding some of what goes on in our nation regarding politics. It was not, however, worth $13 to find out.
I'll tell you what he says right here, for free. The first step to gaining power is to appeal to the hearts of the people. To get voted into office, you must mobilize those people whose hearts you have inspired and get them to want to work for you. In order to create policy, you must be able to think clearly about the facts. The actual creation of policy is a dirty dirty game that will turn your stomach and maybe make you puke into your mouth a little and there is absolutely no room for idealism here.
That's pretty much it. That's a summation of the best he has to offer. Disappointing. I kept thinking to myself...this man went to Princeton? This man was so successful at organizing that he was hired by the President? Well, some people just aren't meant to write books. I think this guy is one of those people.
I just want to be clear, I don't give the book a low rating because of differences between the ideals of Van Jones and my own. No, on the contrary, I think he and I are on a pretty similar page regarding the change we would like to see in our nation. I am critiquing it the way it should be critiqued...based on its content, which, in my opinion, is of very little value.
July 25, 2012
This is the best non-fiction book I've read in ages, and I wish every American citizen would read it! Jones writes about complex stuff in language that most people will find readable. One of the comments indicated that there was nothing new here, but this person must be far better informed than I am, which may well be true, but I feel there are many people like myself who will instead find it clarifying, as it discusses the many frustrating aspects of political life in America today, and brings them together in a sensible message of hope. Jones analyzes, very fairly in my opinion,the Obama phenomenon, the Tea party phenomenon and the Occupy phenomenon, and suggests a way to move forward to a better place than the one in which we find ourselves! Betty Edson
August 4, 2014
A fine analysis of popular American political movements of the past decade and a call to mobilizing for social change that helps everyone, this timely text deserves study and consideration and adoption of many measures by local groups who care about a democracy that is for and by the people, and those concerned about a healthy and thriving U.S.
September 22, 2012
I was hesitant to give this the full five stars but I think in a couple years I may re-read this and realize this book's greatness.
I don't seem to recall the Van Jones controversy/resignation and when I picked this book up I didn't really know who the guy was until I started into the first few chapters.
Jones examines the rise of three recent movements in America - the Obama campaign of 2008, the Tea Party and Occupy.
I really enjoyed his assessment of how Obama rose and how things sort of flat-lined shortly after his inauguration. He came up with reasonable, intelligent and sometimes harsh criticism of how Obama and the people around him failed to capitalize on the movement that swept the Senator into the White House.
His examination of the Occupy movement was thoughtful, sometimes inspiring and very well informed. I was not a big fan of the movement at the time and often found myself snickering at the protests. I would classify myself as a progressive but not until reading this book did I really grasp just what the heck the Occupy movement was up to.
Jones also reflects on the Tea Party. A lot of his views are fair, informed and reasonable however, and this is where I think the book faulted a little bit for me, he focused a lot on the really radical aspects of the Tea Party in a way he did not focus on the radical aspects of Occupy. I am in no way a supporter of the Tea Party and pretty much every policy they stand for I'm at odds with but I found that Jones highlighted some of the very racist and radical aspects of that movement in a way that he skipped over many of the very radical and chaotic members of the Occupy movement who make up a small fraction.
I very much enjoyed how Van threw around many ideas. Many times it was almost as if you were reading someone in a brainstorming meeting saying things like "we could then..." and sometimes that would be followed by a pie-in-the-sky idea but often it was followed by a very intelligent and thought provoking plan. I suspect that's what the author is like in meetings so it was neat that he wrote this way as well. You have to admire ANYONE who's willing to throw ideas around, even ones that may seem far fetched, let alone put them down on paper and sell them!
Probably my favourite quote in the book comes at the end of the introduction. The introduction and prologue of this book will give you goosebumps, no matter your political views.
I don't seem to recall the Van Jones controversy/resignation and when I picked this book up I didn't really know who the guy was until I started into the first few chapters.
Jones examines the rise of three recent movements in America - the Obama campaign of 2008, the Tea Party and Occupy.
I really enjoyed his assessment of how Obama rose and how things sort of flat-lined shortly after his inauguration. He came up with reasonable, intelligent and sometimes harsh criticism of how Obama and the people around him failed to capitalize on the movement that swept the Senator into the White House.
His examination of the Occupy movement was thoughtful, sometimes inspiring and very well informed. I was not a big fan of the movement at the time and often found myself snickering at the protests. I would classify myself as a progressive but not until reading this book did I really grasp just what the heck the Occupy movement was up to.
Jones also reflects on the Tea Party. A lot of his views are fair, informed and reasonable however, and this is where I think the book faulted a little bit for me, he focused a lot on the really radical aspects of the Tea Party in a way he did not focus on the radical aspects of Occupy. I am in no way a supporter of the Tea Party and pretty much every policy they stand for I'm at odds with but I found that Jones highlighted some of the very racist and radical aspects of that movement in a way that he skipped over many of the very radical and chaotic members of the Occupy movement who make up a small fraction.
I very much enjoyed how Van threw around many ideas. Many times it was almost as if you were reading someone in a brainstorming meeting saying things like "we could then..." and sometimes that would be followed by a pie-in-the-sky idea but often it was followed by a very intelligent and thought provoking plan. I suspect that's what the author is like in meetings so it was neat that he wrote this way as well. You have to admire ANYONE who's willing to throw ideas around, even ones that may seem far fetched, let alone put them down on paper and sell them!
Probably my favourite quote in the book comes at the end of the introduction. The introduction and prologue of this book will give you goosebumps, no matter your political views.
July 12, 2012
Well-written, interesting and inspiring for those of us looking for practical ideas to stregthen our nation instead of remaining mired in the muck. Great ideas and inspiration for those who believe people instead of corporations should be running this country. Very recommended.
*"There are only two kinds of smart people in this world, son. There are those smart people who take simple things and make them sound complicated, to enrich themselves. And there are those who take complicated things and make them sound simple, to empower and uplift other people.*
*Do you know what we used to call a country where global corporations were free to do whatever they wanted to do, where unions were systematically undermined, and where the government was being starved of tax revenue and other resources? We used to call thsoe places "Third World countries".
That is the vision that the cheap patriots hold for the United States. Their agenda would turn America into a textbook Third World nation: no rules for the rich, no rights for the poor, and no middle class to speak of. That's their utopia. They paint that up in all these patriotic colors and call it economic liberty. But it would be economic slavery.
...The cheap patriots seem to despise most of the American people, hate America's achievements, and fear America's government. How come such people get to be called patriots, but not us?*
*"There are only two kinds of smart people in this world, son. There are those smart people who take simple things and make them sound complicated, to enrich themselves. And there are those who take complicated things and make them sound simple, to empower and uplift other people.*
*Do you know what we used to call a country where global corporations were free to do whatever they wanted to do, where unions were systematically undermined, and where the government was being starved of tax revenue and other resources? We used to call thsoe places "Third World countries".
That is the vision that the cheap patriots hold for the United States. Their agenda would turn America into a textbook Third World nation: no rules for the rich, no rights for the poor, and no middle class to speak of. That's their utopia. They paint that up in all these patriotic colors and call it economic liberty. But it would be economic slavery.
...The cheap patriots seem to despise most of the American people, hate America's achievements, and fear America's government. How come such people get to be called patriots, but not us?*
April 2, 2012
The problem with the American dream is too often we’re caught sleeping. At the very least we let our attention wander in the bliss of freedom as the things in life that matter most fail neglected or are simply taken away.
In his new book former special adviser to the Obama White House Van Jones drafts a thoughtful plan for the reconstruction of simple American ideals and principles that secure the dream of a better life for everyone willing to work hard and play fair. With a vision centered on the benefits of a fully integrated green economy and practices of sustainable living Jones’ book Rebuild the Dream offers up a detailed analysis of the circumstances that led to the raise of the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street movement. The author also provides a game plan for political activists looking to transform hope into lasting change and get the U.S. economy working again for everyone.
read there rest of this review at The Joy Trip Project.org : http://joytripproject.org/2012/rebuil...
In his new book former special adviser to the Obama White House Van Jones drafts a thoughtful plan for the reconstruction of simple American ideals and principles that secure the dream of a better life for everyone willing to work hard and play fair. With a vision centered on the benefits of a fully integrated green economy and practices of sustainable living Jones’ book Rebuild the Dream offers up a detailed analysis of the circumstances that led to the raise of the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street movement. The author also provides a game plan for political activists looking to transform hope into lasting change and get the U.S. economy working again for everyone.
read there rest of this review at The Joy Trip Project.org : http://joytripproject.org/2012/rebuil...
March 27, 2014
Very readable, accessible to all. Jones comes up with a grid plan to help readers better understand and evaluate what it takes for a popular movement not only to arise in contemporary American society, but to sustain itself, become established, and grow, while remaining true to its ideals. He summarizes and juxtaposes the Dream of Hope movement that propelled Obama to the White House, and the subsequent rise of the Tea Party and Occupy Movements. He also offers his own progressive vision of what America needs now, the fundamentals and thesis of which can be found at the Rebuild the Dream website, rebuildthedream.org .
Even those who disagree with Jones's political perspective can find some usefulness in the arguments he makes about how and why 21st century political movements arise and are sustained. Also pertinent is his discussion about the power of emotion and myth (as opposed to logic and facts) in achieving political goals.
Even those who disagree with Jones's political perspective can find some usefulness in the arguments he makes about how and why 21st century political movements arise and are sustained. Also pertinent is his discussion about the power of emotion and myth (as opposed to logic and facts) in achieving political goals.
June 5, 2012
I appreciated how the author explained the evolution of his ideas. He also was very careful not to "throw anyone under the bus" despite the fact that he could have some bitter things to say about his time in the Obama administration. Despite this, I felt that he really tried to be as fair as he could be. He also reasonably outlined his suggestions for rebuilding the American economy. That said, it was a book that doubtlessly preaches to the converted.
There were also some amazing quotes form others sprinkled in
There were also some amazing quotes form others sprinkled in
April 23, 2012
If you don't know what to think of Obama anymore, this book provides a very intelligent analysis of what happened these past 3 years and how we can push Obama to be the President we wanted him to be. Jones' analysis of the Tea Party and the Occupy movement are also astute and easy to understand. I would recommend this book to anyone who votes or cares about the direction our country is going, and I especially recommend it for frustrated, progressive activists!
July 6, 2012
This is a wonderful read - it's the first time I really feel like there's hope for us in this country. I love his way of objectively and insightfully looking at what happened with the Obama election and presidency as well as the Tea Party, Occupy and 99% movements. I would just skip the intro and save it for last. It's best just to get right in to the heart of the book.
September 30, 2012
Van Jones is inspirational. I wish he were running for President.
If we could make his ideas reality our country would be on a path to growth on every level. Sadly, at this time, the best starting point, Occupy Wall Street, seems to be almost entirely dead. I hope he and others find a way to revive it, or something that will take America toward a sustainable, less destructive, future.
If we could make his ideas reality our country would be on a path to growth on every level. Sadly, at this time, the best starting point, Occupy Wall Street, seems to be almost entirely dead. I hope he and others find a way to revive it, or something that will take America toward a sustainable, less destructive, future.
November 6, 2012
Very well presented and refreshing look at democracy for all of the people. The thought that I kept having is what a shame it was that Van Jones was so quickly forced out of the Obama administration based on false accusations. What is wrong with a society where we lose the contribution of such important voices based on the manipulation of a few.
March 31, 2013
Loved it - I hope to see Mr. Jones in politics one day and think he could make a positive difference
November 8, 2017
gah I wrote a long thoughtful review but the app erased it. fml goodreads, i'll explain this shit later.
October 17, 2017
You've seen Van Jones on CNN and I've often thought that for any panel he appears on, he typically provides the most reasoned and sober assessment. I regret not having read Rebuild the Dream earlier, as its one of those current affairs books that quickly lose relevance and become placeholders on the bottom shelves of unused bookshelves.
Rewind to 2012 when this was published. The close of Obama's first term was nearing, the Tea Party had been on the ascent since 2009, and Occupy Wall Street was finding its legs in Zuccotti Park, then quickly thereafter lost them.
Rebuild the Dream is Van Jones' diagnosis of our national politics at the time, and a set of recommendations for what Obama and the DNC could have done to more effectively manage the national narrative. Much of what he cites as Obama's failures come down to message, and the absence of a more muscular and assertive campaign to explain a.) the stimulus package, b.) healthcare, and c.) why the Tea Party would set us in a dangerous direction.
Central to his analysis is a 2x2 grid organized along the rational v emotional and the political concept v political action axes. The 4 quadrants provide guidance of how to reach target audiences, and how to construct effective stories that further your platform.
Van Jones holds a relatively unique position, given his extensive grassroots organizing experience, leadership in the non-profit world, and 6 months as Obama's green jobs 'czar' (which he spends a bit of time clarifying the misuse of that name). That CV gives him a really insightful view of politicking and effective social change, albeit where we are as a people is so dramatically different today than when this was written.
Overall a very enjoyable read, though certainly less timely now. Hated the pull-out quotes that adorned the pages. Why, just why?
Recommended.
Rewind to 2012 when this was published. The close of Obama's first term was nearing, the Tea Party had been on the ascent since 2009, and Occupy Wall Street was finding its legs in Zuccotti Park, then quickly thereafter lost them.
Rebuild the Dream is Van Jones' diagnosis of our national politics at the time, and a set of recommendations for what Obama and the DNC could have done to more effectively manage the national narrative. Much of what he cites as Obama's failures come down to message, and the absence of a more muscular and assertive campaign to explain a.) the stimulus package, b.) healthcare, and c.) why the Tea Party would set us in a dangerous direction.
Central to his analysis is a 2x2 grid organized along the rational v emotional and the political concept v political action axes. The 4 quadrants provide guidance of how to reach target audiences, and how to construct effective stories that further your platform.
Van Jones holds a relatively unique position, given his extensive grassroots organizing experience, leadership in the non-profit world, and 6 months as Obama's green jobs 'czar' (which he spends a bit of time clarifying the misuse of that name). That CV gives him a really insightful view of politicking and effective social change, albeit where we are as a people is so dramatically different today than when this was written.
Overall a very enjoyable read, though certainly less timely now. Hated the pull-out quotes that adorned the pages. Why, just why?
Recommended.
April 7, 2018
Intriduction:
I was attracted to Van Jones book because of a piece he did for Big Think, eloquently pushing the idea that liberals have failed to properly sell their ideas because of a deep disrespect for there conservative opponents and a willingness to dismiss them as morons or the ignorant.
This struck a cord with me, and paralleled many of the ideas I had been having about the vast majority of the political right (to always hear out there policy ideas and to discuss them in a civil way if possible) and the failures of the Democratic party.
I digress, here is my take on the book:
Although dated by time..... The material in Van Jones book is still as important as ever. The themes and policy he suggested are still at the vanguard of necessary reforms, except now nearly 6 years after being released, they are finally getting some real mainstream attention.
Everything from universal Healthcare, public campaign Financing, the end of citizens United, tax justice, financing green technology, addressing global climate change, and fighting income inequality are all highlighted in the book and many of the policy suggestions are just as viable now as they where 6 years ago.
It's highly refreshing to hear a progressive political thinker bring all that up, and also establish the virtues and importance of market based Capitalism (as a social Democrat wary of the end goals of the many socialists these days, I greatly appreciate these details in the book).
Also great is the authors fair appraisal of president Obama: addressing his failures to live up to the promises of his 2008 campaign as well as his great successes.
The authors musings on what makes a successful movement are also of critical importance. He breaks down the path to success in between 3 different movements for change (Obamas 2008 campaign, the tea party, and Occupy wall street) and shows each movements failures and successes.
If anything, all of this makes the book more relevant now than it was 6 years ago. A good read for anyone looking to advance progress in our current age of apathy.
4.5/5
I was attracted to Van Jones book because of a piece he did for Big Think, eloquently pushing the idea that liberals have failed to properly sell their ideas because of a deep disrespect for there conservative opponents and a willingness to dismiss them as morons or the ignorant.
This struck a cord with me, and paralleled many of the ideas I had been having about the vast majority of the political right (to always hear out there policy ideas and to discuss them in a civil way if possible) and the failures of the Democratic party.
I digress, here is my take on the book:
Although dated by time..... The material in Van Jones book is still as important as ever. The themes and policy he suggested are still at the vanguard of necessary reforms, except now nearly 6 years after being released, they are finally getting some real mainstream attention.
Everything from universal Healthcare, public campaign Financing, the end of citizens United, tax justice, financing green technology, addressing global climate change, and fighting income inequality are all highlighted in the book and many of the policy suggestions are just as viable now as they where 6 years ago.
It's highly refreshing to hear a progressive political thinker bring all that up, and also establish the virtues and importance of market based Capitalism (as a social Democrat wary of the end goals of the many socialists these days, I greatly appreciate these details in the book).
Also great is the authors fair appraisal of president Obama: addressing his failures to live up to the promises of his 2008 campaign as well as his great successes.
The authors musings on what makes a successful movement are also of critical importance. He breaks down the path to success in between 3 different movements for change (Obamas 2008 campaign, the tea party, and Occupy wall street) and shows each movements failures and successes.
If anything, all of this makes the book more relevant now than it was 6 years ago. A good read for anyone looking to advance progress in our current age of apathy.
4.5/5
February 24, 2013
As a student of progressive politics, much of what was in this book I'd heard before. The goals and messaging for how America can move forward have been repeated many times by others in the progressive movement, especially in 2012 during the presidential election (this book came out in early 2012, before most of the 2012 campaigns were underway). There were not many (perhaps any) new proposals for how we should move the economy forward, which was surprising based on Jones' background (he created Green for All, which helps put people to work at green collar jobs).
However, there were a couple points he made that really stood out to me:
1. One of the reasons momentum faltered after Obama was elected in 2008 was because there was no leader for the progressive movement--Obama was leading his administration, but not the groundswell. Jones writes: "The expectation that he would or could [lead the movement] arose from a fundamental misreading of US history. After all, as head of state, President Lyndon Johnson did not lead the civil rights movement. That was the job of independent movement leaders...As head of state, Franklin Delano Roosevelt did not lead the labor movement. That was the job of independent union leaders..." He goes on to give several more examples. I thought that was an excellent point.
2. He attributes the success of what he calls "recent political swarms" (Obama campaign 2008, Tea Party, Occupy. I would call it a grassroots movement, or a groundswell.) to three key components: open source brand, support center(s), media attention. He goes on to explain each.
Overall, I felt like I should have read the book when it was first published a year ago for it to make much of an impact--at this point, almost everything he wrote has already been said.
However, there were a couple points he made that really stood out to me:
1. One of the reasons momentum faltered after Obama was elected in 2008 was because there was no leader for the progressive movement--Obama was leading his administration, but not the groundswell. Jones writes: "The expectation that he would or could [lead the movement] arose from a fundamental misreading of US history. After all, as head of state, President Lyndon Johnson did not lead the civil rights movement. That was the job of independent movement leaders...As head of state, Franklin Delano Roosevelt did not lead the labor movement. That was the job of independent union leaders..." He goes on to give several more examples. I thought that was an excellent point.
2. He attributes the success of what he calls "recent political swarms" (Obama campaign 2008, Tea Party, Occupy. I would call it a grassroots movement, or a groundswell.) to three key components: open source brand, support center(s), media attention. He goes on to explain each.
Overall, I felt like I should have read the book when it was first published a year ago for it to make much of an impact--at this point, almost everything he wrote has already been said.
August 18, 2012
I took notes on main ideas and copied some data and donated my book to the local public library.
In short, justice and equality is what we are fighting for (we currently have a multiracial, multifaith, gender fabulous population). Make real the promises of democracy. Deep patriots (vs cheap patriots) love the whole country: red states, blue states including everyone in the teaparty.
America is not broke, it is rich. This is not a crisis, it is a scam.
One way we can get started with changing the current stalemate is through "teach ins": gathering neighbors in our homes and sharing short videos that feature powerful speakers, arresting animation and smart infographics to break down ECONOMICS for the 99%.
Additional sources for information include rebuildthedream.com, COMMON CAUSE, PUBLIC CITIZEN, and newdream.org
In short, justice and equality is what we are fighting for (we currently have a multiracial, multifaith, gender fabulous population). Make real the promises of democracy. Deep patriots (vs cheap patriots) love the whole country: red states, blue states including everyone in the teaparty.
America is not broke, it is rich. This is not a crisis, it is a scam.
One way we can get started with changing the current stalemate is through "teach ins": gathering neighbors in our homes and sharing short videos that feature powerful speakers, arresting animation and smart infographics to break down ECONOMICS for the 99%.
Additional sources for information include rebuildthedream.com, COMMON CAUSE, PUBLIC CITIZEN, and newdream.org
August 8, 2015
Mr. Jones has been a persistent advocate for saving the planet and recommending new clean air industries that could hire thousands and also diminish the high percentages of unemployment especially in the inner cities with large African-American communities.
He recounts his years working with grassroots populace to save the planet and his stint in the White House and his decision to resign. One gets the feeling that clean air wasn't a priority for the administration although focusing on it would provide jobs to re-build the infrastructure and reduce the need for fossil fuels that are polluting the earth as well.
This man is passionate and he's now rallying the youth to mobilize for change.
He recounts his years working with grassroots populace to save the planet and his stint in the White House and his decision to resign. One gets the feeling that clean air wasn't a priority for the administration although focusing on it would provide jobs to re-build the infrastructure and reduce the need for fossil fuels that are polluting the earth as well.
This man is passionate and he's now rallying the youth to mobilize for change.
July 11, 2016
I am so moved by his belief in America.
I have missed what I call patriotism, the certainty that America, which isn't perfect, was always striving to become 'a more perfect union.' These last years have hurt my spirit.
Jones talks of a deep patriotism, as opposed to the cheap patriotism that is frequently cited in order to deny the American dream to so many people. I love his insistence that deep patriotism does not allow for the 99% against the 1%; it has to be the 99% for the 100%.
Optimism and hope are the emotions that fill me upon reading this book. I hope others can find that hope.
I have missed what I call patriotism, the certainty that America, which isn't perfect, was always striving to become 'a more perfect union.' These last years have hurt my spirit.
Jones talks of a deep patriotism, as opposed to the cheap patriotism that is frequently cited in order to deny the American dream to so many people. I love his insistence that deep patriotism does not allow for the 99% against the 1%; it has to be the 99% for the 100%.
Optimism and hope are the emotions that fill me upon reading this book. I hope others can find that hope.
July 6, 2013
Talks about quantifying movements as emotional and logistical matrix of inside game outside game, heart and head. will add here the organizations that he mentions that are trying to work with occupy movement.
References to follow up on:
Music
Occupy Sound Volume One
Organization United Re:public
Code for America
Rebuild the Dream
Progressive Majority
New Organization Institute
The working families Party
Campaign for America's Future
Take back the land
Occupy Homes
Book: Rachel Botsman "What's mine is YOurs: The rise of Collaborative Consumption
References to follow up on:
Music
Occupy Sound Volume One
Organization United Re:public
Code for America
Rebuild the Dream
Progressive Majority
New Organization Institute
The working families Party
Campaign for America's Future
Take back the land
Occupy Homes
Book: Rachel Botsman "What's mine is YOurs: The rise of Collaborative Consumption
May 10, 2017
I was very intrigued by this book. Van Jones examines what led to the Obama victory in 2008 and then the "fall" of the enthusiasm shortly thereafter. He examines the Tea Party movement and the Occupy Wall Street movement as well. He presents a series of ideas on how we can rebuild the American dream - and that it involves a variety of tools, efforts, and people.
December 3, 2012
A great perspective on the workings of government and people and how the two can be most effective. It is slanted though also fairly objective of the first Obama presidency and offering solutions that are intended for everyone.
June 20, 2013
I wanted to like this book. I really, REALLY wanted to like it. However, as Van Jones himself pointed out in the book, we liberals just aren't good at making our ideals sound eXcItInG. Which is why I couldn't even finish this one. :-(
November 26, 2012
Today, May 30, 2012 the longstanding request to the public library paid off. The Boston Public Library finally received their copy.
I'll post some stars and thoughts on the content after I have a chance to read it.
I'll post some stars and thoughts on the content after I have a chance to read it.
July 22, 2013
Petty good book overall. Written very much from a liberal point of view and a lot of his forward-moving ideas seem like common sense for the most part. I do think his analysis of how the mass of Obama supporters just seemed to fade after the election was spot on.
April 12, 2012
Interesting viewpoints consistent throughout, particularly his take on deep patriotism vs cheap patriotism and his thoughts for moving forward the 99 percent for 100% not 99 vs one.
May 11, 2012
Pretty well written but seems to tend towards a pretty biased insider view of the current administration.
March 19, 2015
The author seems mystified that Republicans got so much better, and Democrats got so much worse, at grassroots organization right around January 2009. Yeah, weird.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews