The Secret Lives of Citizens: Pursuing the Promise of American Life

by Geoghegan, Thomas

• ISBN13: 9780226287645
• ISBN10: 0226287645
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-01
• Publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr

Summary

In this witty combination of memoir and observation, Thomas Geoghegan addresses the widespread cynicism about our government and explores what it means to be a "national" civil servant and a "local" citizen. "This is unlike any public-policy book I've ever read: partCatcher in the Rye,partThe Road to Wigan Pier,partThe Federalist Papers,it is mesmerizing, rueful, painfully honest, and never, ever dull."Nicholas Lemann, author ofThe Big Test "Extraordinary. It has the essential trait of a memorable book, in that after reading it you look at daily life in a lastingly different way." James Fallows, author ofBreaking the News "[Geoghegan] has written a book that is not only compelling to read but that provokes us to seriously reflect on the choices we make and how we spend our time." Jonathan Coleman,Washington Post Book World "Geoghegan's language is playful. . . . Personal reminiscence mixing with historical anecdote, dipping into complex themes . . . shifting from wistful nostalgia to dark comedy." Robert B. Reich,New York Times Book Review "A truly strange and wonderful book." William Finnegan

Author Biography

Thomas Geoghegan is a labor lawyer in Chicago and recently authored In America's Court.

Table of Contents

There Is No One City	3	(22)
City of Fabulous Jobs	22	(26)
When they Burned the ``White House''	48	(14)
In the Gridlock Archipelago	62	(17)
Knock Down the Door	79	(23)
``Now Do You See Me, Mr. Mayor?''	102	(18)
City of Fabulous Plagues	120	(14)
A Ticket to DuPage	134	(19)
I'd Be Happier in D.C.	153	(9)
If I Could Park in My City	162	(14)
I'd Be Lonely in This City	176	(13)
City of Fabulous Kids	189	(21)
In the ``White City''	210	(16)
Epilogue: The Promise	226	(15)
Acknowledgements	241