Ours Was the Shining Future

The Story of the American Dream

By: David Leonhardt

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The clear-eyed, definitive history of the modern American economy and the decline of the American Dream, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist behind The New York Times's “The Morning” newsletter.

“With the even-handed incisiveness that has made him one of the country’s most-respected voices on economics, David Leonhardt illuminates the inside history of the players and missteps that have stolen so many Americans’ futures.”—Jane Mayer, author of Dark Money

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • ONE OF THE ATLANTIC’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Two decades into the twenty-first century, the stagnation of living standards has become the defining trend of American life. Life expectancy has declined, economic inequality has soared, and, after some progress, the Black-white wage gap is once again as large as it was in the 1950s. How did this happen in the world’s most powerful country? And what happened to the “American dream”—the promise of a happier, healthier, more prosperous future—which was once such an inextricable part of our national identity?

Drawing on decades of writing about the economy for The New York Times, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer David Leonhardt examines the past century of American history, from the Great Depression to today’s Great Stagnation, in search of an answer.

To make sense of the rise and subsequent fall of the American dream, Leonhardt tells the story of the modern American economy as an ongoing battle between two competing forms of capitalism: one that envisions prosperity for most, and one that serves the individual and favors the wealthy. In vivid prose, Ours Was the Shining Future traces how democratic capitalism flourished to make the American dream possible, until the latter decades of the twentieth century when, bit by bit, the dream was corrupted to serve only the privileged few.

Ours Was the Shining Future is a sweeping narrative full of innovation and grit, human drama and hope. Featuring the trailblazing figures who helped shape the American dream—Frances Perkins, Paul Hoffman, Cesar Chavez, Robert Kennedy, A. Philip Randolph, Grace Hopper, and more—this engaging history reveals the power of grassroots democratic movements from across the political spectrum. And though the American dream feels lost to us now, Leonhardt shows how Americans—if they commit themselves to transforming the economy, as they did in the past—have the power to revive the dream once more.

©2023 David Leonhardt (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In recent years, the poison of despair has spread through our body politic. David Leonhardt’s sweeping tale of grassroots leaders who changed America offers an antidote. America can change, because America did change. This book is an anti-funk tonic that will inspire you to stop shaking your fists and start rolling up your sleeves.”—Anand Giridharadas, author of The Persuaders

“With the even-handed incisiveness that has made him one of the country’s most-respected voices on economics, David Leonhardt illuminates the inside history of the players and missteps that have stolen so many Americans’ futures. Ours Was the Shining Future is both a cause for outrage and a plea for hope.”—Jane Mayer, author of Dark Money

“In a fearless, trenchant diagnosis, David Leonhardt shows how Republicans and Democrats alike are complicit in the decline of the American dream. This important book shows how a renewed commitment to public investment, collective bargaining, sensible immigration policies, and civic activism can invigorate our economy and rejuvenate our democracy.”—Michael J. Sandel, author of Democracy’s Discontent

The narrating abilities captured the content

Love that authors way with words and I love how he takes a structural approach to a story about rise and fall of the American dream and everything it entails. You learn a lot about politics and I have walked away with a broader view of each party and the overall values.

A poignant analysis of our present situation

This book was a thoughtful look at the decline of the American Dream over the last half century and examines all that contributed to that decline. From immigration reform to the resurrection of rough-and-tumble capitalism, Ours Was the Shining Future makes compelling arguments on each step toward and aspect of our current economic situation, as well as detailing the decisions that led us to America's current unequal economy and what could be done to make it more just and equal.

A Little Heavy for my Commute

Well-written, interesting history of the background into why America and Americans are so divided and seemingly unhappy.
I learned a lot and recommend it to anyone interested in the subject and who has an open mind.
I listened to it on my driving commute and as with “heavier” books like this, I had trouble when I needed to stop and repeat something I wanted to ensure I understood.
Fine presentation.
Recommended.

 I give very few five stars

Superior book, I give maybe one five star rating every two or three years. Bad narration though. The reader mispronounces a number of words I assumed all educated people were familiar with. Doesn’t anybody ever check these things? 

Here’s a gross oversimplification of the book. The far left has become obsessed with identity politics and virtue signaling at the expense of economic issues and winning elections. Economics is not unimportant to those the identity politics warriors profess to be in favor of helping.  So if they really believed the things they claim, they wouldn’t ignore the issues in this book.  it’s not a page turner but the ideas are extremely important.