Forward

Notes on the Future of Our Democracy

By: Andrew Yang

Narrated by: Andrew Yang

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A lively and bold blueprint for moving beyond the “era of institutional failure” by transforming our outmoded political and economic systems to be resilient to twenty-first-century problems, from the popular entrepreneur, bestselling author, and political truth-teller

“A vitally important book.”—Mark Cuban

Despite being written off by the media, Andrew Yang’s shoestring 2020 presidential campaign—powered by his proposal for a universal basic income of $1,000 a month for all Americans—jolted the political establishment, growing into a massive, diverse movement.

In Forward, Yang reveals that UBI and the threat of job automation are only the beginning, diagnosing how a series of cascading problems within our antiquated systems keeps us stuck in the past—imperiling our democracy at every level. With America’s stagnant institutions failing to keep pace with technological change, we grow more polarized as tech platforms supplant our will while feasting on our data. Yang introduces us to the various “priests of the decline” of America, including politicians whose incentives have become divorced from the people they supposedly serve.

The machinery of American democracy is failing, Yang argues, and we need bold new ideas to rewire it for twenty-first-century problems. Inspired by his experience running for office and as an entrepreneur, and by ideas drawn from leading thinkers, Yang offers a series of solutions, including data rights, ranked-choice voting, and fact-based governance empowered by modern technology, writing that “there is no cavalry”—it’s up to us. This is a powerful and urgent warning that we must step back from the brink and plot a new way forward for our democracy.

©2022 Random House (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Andrew Yang surged to popularity in 2020 because he saw—like none of the other presidential candidates—that our problems came from the complex interactions of democracy, economics, and technology. In this important book, he explains how these three domains interact and he proposes solutions that, when combined, would lead us forward to human-centered capitalism and a vibrant, just, and prosperous democracy.”—Jonathan Haidt

“Can there be another political party in the U.S.? Can we find a way past toxic partisanship to a fact-based government? In Forward, Yang does not just give us a laundry list of intractable problems, but shows how we can find solutions if we think in new ways and summon the courage to do so.”—Kara Swisher

“Forward is a vitally important book that shows how entrepreneurial, independent thinking will be the indispensable ingredient to solving our biggest political and economic challenges.”—Mark Cuban

Andrew knows what he’s talking about

Fixing the system is the problem and Andrew, with an analytical mind on the level of Elon Musk, has identified the fundamentals we need to target to make a future of prosperity possible, and lays out an achievable path. Forward Party!

MAGA reviews Yang

I decided to read Mr Yangs book because he came across as someone who cares. I see the problems he sees, I agree with most of his supporting statements and he seems like someone who could actually change the world.
I am in no way his typical audience.

Reads as a memoir of his presidential campaign and life experience which have led him to his conclusions/ platform.
Comes across as an idealistic and driven, regular smart guy/ problem solver.
( Sheds a TON of light on fundraising emails I get from the GOP.)

I have about 2.5 hours left, but towards the middle- end he decries the media's narrative, spin and outright manufacture of facts destroying the fabric of the United States. 1000% agree, will donate to your cause.
Then proceeds to use the same spun, manufactured and narrative driven stories to support some of his social programs.
He mentions the personal relationships he developed with the media, and talks about how the media producers are forcing the journalists to write in inflammatory ways. Apply it to your own side as well man!

Performance got 4 just because I have higher standards for audio books.
Overall 5 for his honesty, given his perspective.
Story got 4 because I feel like it could have flowed better. His life story/ political experience flow like a pleasant stream but his policy posits and support feel like they could be more developed.

The injection of politically charged material broke the flow in his assessment of the dynamic and entrenched issues destroying the country.
As to their substance I can only say that most not understand the motivations or personalities of their opposition nor their enemies.

Actionable ideas to improve America

I am a fan of Yang, so I came to this book optimistic. In three parts, he walks you through his experience as a candidate, the issues he sees with our system, and ideas for how to move FORWARD. Like most books, I think a ten page summary would give you the key points, but I found his stories interesting and I finished the book in just under three days, eager to hear more and see what ideas he had to improve American government.
I'm excited to be part of the Forward party and take action to improve our government.

a necessary read for those looking to understand

read this and understand what 100s of thousands of us saw and fought for. do it

A breath of fresh air

I've followed Andrew Yang for a while and many of the topics in this book were familiar to me. Regardless, he talks with such a sense of realistic optimism and conveys ideas that aren't really extreme, farfetched or polarizing. He leads with humanity first, which really we all should be doing and I truly feel if every adult in the country read this book that they would be better than they were before hearing it. I'm sure I'm not the only one sick of both parties and the way our system operates, and I am so glad Andrew is around during this stage of my lifetime. I hope you'll give it a listen.

Leading the charge against ignorance... good luck.

Nicely written and performed. Chapters 22 & on are the best. Its nice to know that there are people out there with hope and real solutions. I'm with Ya Andrew! Unfortunately, we are are fighting a ridiculous system and must fight off a growing number of morons (MTG, Cawthorn, Boebert, Trump, etc). There are so many of them & these arent people That even deserve a seat at any adult table.

I will join Forward.

Doug S.

Informative, Enlightening, Refreshing

A proper articulation of the current state of American Politics and its faults. Issues that have started at the top but leaked into our personal lives.
It is unique in that it not only showcases these issues in a detailed manner, but it also provides direction/execution towards an improved American Lifestyle from the bottom up.

Worth the read

I fundamentally agree with much of what Yang puts forward. We need change. The voters and citizenry need people like Yang to challenge the status quo. The numbers bear out much much of what’s put forward. However, sometimes numbers or an incidents, no matter how horrible they are don’t necessarily represent an entire field. Humans and human systems don’t necessarily follow numbers. I think overall he is spot on and I hope he can be the lever that moves the country.

Another good one from Yang

I’ve read all of Yang’s books and enjoyed them. I do think this is the worst of his three, but I don’t say that disparagingly — it’s still pretty solid.

In a nutshell, it’s an overview of his failed 2020 presidential bid and what’s happened since. He gives the reader insights into the entire process and makes it more human. For example, he talks about the grueling schedule, the strangeness of remote interviews, and the difficult positions the news networks often put candidates in to boost ratings.

Politics aside, I just think Yang is a smart, caring, and articulate person. That comes across in almost all of his writings — this one included. The only real flaw I found in the book was his occasional “resting on his laurels.” By that, I mean he does, at times, sound content to sit back and let the rest of the Democratic Party steer the ship. I found that to be slightly disappointing because his new ideas and approaches are precisely why I started following him in the first place.

Having said that, however, Yang does end this one on a high note by countering that notion a bit and announcing the formation of his new political party. I know nothing about that process, but I’ll definitely say that I admire the gumption and ambition. That’s why most of us bought / will buy this title, anyway.

-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”

Solid

I'm a huge Yang fan. Part 1 was slow. Get's better in part 2 as the table is set for the part 3, which is really the meat of the book. Part 3 refers a lot of "The Politics Industry" by Katherine Gehl and "The Righteous Mind" by Haidt. Both are exceptional books in their own right and dive deeper than Yang does here. I might have preferred a abbreviated part 1 and a larger focus on part 3, RCV and Open Primaries in particular. If that's the info you want I suggest reading Gehl's book. But overall Forward is a great read and Yang's audio performance was more energetic than that of his last book. Highly recommend!