Download Audio Books from Audible.

Customer reviews

5 star		76%
4 star		24%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How are ratings calculated?

Review this product

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Steven C

Working Together

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2012

Verified Purchase

The Next America; Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy is a realistic approach to grow our economy by relieving the negativity that has been created in this country.

In these days where perceptions and politics rule society's behavior, Don Holbrook's vision presents options that we need to evaluate, confront and implement if we want to move forward into a viable and sustainable future.

Matthew Gardner

Great, practical perscription for the future

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2012

Verified Purchase

Mr. Holbrook has outlined in clear, practical terms the road we must travel to find our ways through the economic uncertainty we face. He writes in a no nonsense manner and presents his thoughts in a well organized way. For anyone wishing to develop their arsenal of ideas for future prosperity, this book is a great read.

Mark B

The Next America

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2012

Don Holbrook's latest book offers policy and practice, both for professional economic developers AND for elected officials, and other key policy makers who are responsible for understanding the challenges in the American economy and are looking for action steps that can be implemented in their communities. Don writes from many years of experience, and in a highly readable way that stimulates interest in a deeper understanding of the issues. Even though the nation appears to be on a slow recovery, it's critical that key stakeholders continue looking forward to the next challenge. This is a must-read for anyone looking to the future. (This is my third read through, and I continue to gain future insight). The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy

Karin Richmond

Thoughtful, yet Practical

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2012

The Next America transcends the traditional economic development discussions of job creation, workforce training and industrial recruitment. This thoughtful treatise challenges its reader to peer beyond the current context of economic development on a daily granular level, and then vigorously moves through government reform, international policies, including immigration, taxation and our environment. His writing is punctuated with humor, "the corporations involved got the economic salvation holy water while the consumers and small businesses got their economic brains bashed in." and plain spoken suggestions for tax code revisions to gird the structure of our capitalistic institutions toward health and heart. I thought the discussion on P3's (public private partnerships) and tax code modifications were well worth the effort of reading this book.

Ed Burghard

The Next America

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2011

Every once in awhile you meet somebody that you find fascinating and exceptionally helpful. For me, Don Holbrook fits that description well. I first met Don at an annual International Economic Development Council meeting in Atlanta. I had heard a lot about Don and made a point of making his acquaintance. Since that initial meeting, Don and I have had a number of conversations and his counsel has been both encouraging and invaluable to my understanding of economic development.

Don is a "larger than life" personality and it is only fitting his consulting practice (The Vercitas Group) is headquartered in Las Vegas. He is considered by many a pioneer of site location and community profiling technology, and is a well-respected speaker. Don is also an accomplished author. His work has been featured in the Wall Street journal, New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post and many other nationally prominent media.

Published in 2007 - The Little Black Book of Economic Development

Published in 2008 - Who Moved My Smokestack?

It didn't take long for Don and me to find a common ground to build a friendship. He is a fellow Buckeye and shares a concern about the future of Brand America. Don's latest book is a compilation of his thinking on the subject.

Published in 2011 - The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy

Full Disclosure

In the spirit of full disclosure, I consider Don a friend and somebody I both respect and admire. He has provided me valuable guidance and wise counsel, but we have not worked together professionally. My recommendation of his book is based solely on my reading of it after purchasing it on Amazon (Kindle version $9.99).

The Book

The Forward is authored by Dr. Matthew Gardner, Director of Sustainserv and former Executive Director of the Earth System Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He sets a thought provoking tone for the book in his opening two sentences.

"Humanity faces challenges unlike others we have ever seen before. Our planet s changing in unpredictable and often deteriorating ways before our eyes, our social fabric is fraying, and our economies are stressed."

It is against this backdrop that Don tackles a wide range of topics. His style is both reflective and authoritative. The book starts with a discussion on the need to change the national government in America, from rooting out systemic corruption to revising the tax code. Then Don tackles issues like homeland security, reviving local economies and becoming better stewards of the environment.

Spoiler Alert: The book is not a doomsday testament. Rather, it is intended to be a hopeful blueprint for a better future where Brand America regains its historical role of an aspirational global leader.

For every problem Don identifies, he proposes a possible solution. My characterization of Don's message is that to Strengthen Brand America we need to make some fundamental product improvements. We need to remind ourselves of the Brand America promise and work to ensure its continued authenticity. The world is in a constant process of change and continual improvement of Brand America is the only way to achieve sustainable economic prosperity for her citizens.

Don defines Brand America's promise as "... all are treated equally and are equally able to pursue life, liberty and happiness.". Don and I both believe a grassroots approach to improvement can be effective in strengthening Brand America. It is the underlying theme of his book and the basis for the Strengthening Brand America Project.

Suggested New Year's Resolution

Buy a copy of The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy, and commit to being part of the grassroots solution.

Kane Martin

Excellent insight and practical recommendations.

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2013

Our economy in Australia is a unique beast, underpinned by a once in a 1000 year minerals boom, it resembles that of the US economy of the 1950's when the US economy overall grew by 37%. As Australia moves into its 22nd year of consecutive growth there are many lessons we can take from from US situation, the impacts of the GFC and the strategies employed to rebuild it. The book 'The Next America' was a fantastic read, Don recommendations to take a pragmatic and systematic approach in engaging the key stakeholders to improve long term economic development are groundbreaking.Lets hope we can learn from the mistakes of US and use our boom in sustainable way to build a better future now.

Jonas

A Must Read!

Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2011

The Next America is a must read for any Economic Developer looking to get ahead of the curve. I continuously find Don's insight into policy, development and our economic future to be both thought provoking and insightful. His unique approach adds meaningful analysis and forecasting to market knowledge in a method that is easy to read and apply. I have been a fan of Don's work for years and this book is his best yet!

- Jonas Peterson, President/CEO - Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation

M Nestle

Knock Out..

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2013

S. Nestle

Don has many years of experience, and this book is filled with information and knowledge that helps you to understand the conomy and where do we go from here. I highly recommend this book to not only Economic Developers but also to anyone who is interested in the the economy as a whole.