Rating: 
Summary: Great America.
Review: In our society we generally acknowledge that the only way to gain strength and prestige is through working hard and enhancing one's innate abilities. Even though some may dispute this reality, the proof is in the peripherals as there is probably not a work place in the country lacking one of those mundane "Sharpen the Saw" posters.That is why it was with considerable excitement that I opened Michael Barone's Hard America, Soft America: Competition Vs. Coddling and the Battle for the Nation's Future. The book was just over 160 pages long and proved nearly impossible to put down. In this extended essay, Barone pounces upon one of the most important questions of our day and his work overlaps public policy, politics, history, philosophy and education. In short, it is a text that just about everybody should be able to relate to if not appreciate. The theme of Hard America, Soft America is that from the ages of 6 to 18 Americans grow up in a downy world that is largely devoid of competition and accountability, but from the ages of 18 to 30 the texture of their lives radically changes as it becomes rocky and subject to the laws of nature. One either produces or they are fired. It is this world, this cauldron of struggle, that forges the Americans who awe the world with a never-ending parade of inventions and discoveries. Barone gives us a tour of our own history and concludes that much of our illustriousness was created by the rigid and unforgiving forces of Hard America. Men like John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan may not have been able to release their inner child or give group hugs but they were able to employ thousands and provide the means for mass production that made us the victors of war and peace. Barone views their torch as being carried forward by men like Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Fred Smith, and Sam Walton. Barone makes use of cultural works to justify his thesis and includes films like "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," novels like Sister Carrie and infamous dementations like Charles Reich's The Greening of America. The author stresses that there are no firm boundaries between the hard and the soft. Schools may be bastions of softness but within them are islands of sinew. High school graduates immediately encounter Hard America when they enter the military or the private sector (perhaps earlier should they work at McDonalds or Wal-Mart before age 18). There is a parasitical relationship between the solid and the downy aspects of our culture. It is only by the grace and skill of Hard America that Soft America can survive: "Soft America lives off the productivity, creativity, and competence of Hard America, and we have the luxury of keeping parts of our society Soft only if we keep enough of it hard." Without a robust military, there would be no way to preserve the freedom and laxity that is Soft America. Barone dedicated this work to the memory of Senator Moynihan and it is almost a certainty that he would have been pleased by the following description of the effects of excessive softness upon black Americans: "The Softening of criminal justice, welfare, racial quotas and preferences, and education- had the effect of confining most blacks to Soft America. They were left unprotected against crime, deterred from forming stable families, deincentivized the will to achieve. The advocates of Softening hated the idea of imposing middle-class mores on black Americans, but middle-class mores are necessary for achievement in Hard America, and underclass behavior makes such achievement impossible." The field of public education is one in which Softness has triumphed and the author believes that this situation will not change until parents force the issue. For many professionals in our schools, the Chaise lounge chairs of pulpous America massages them forever. Only external forces will coerce them into changing their ways or methodologies. This reviewer has personally witnessed several attempts of individuals to "Speak Truth to Squishiness" by bringing rigor into their classrooms and then observed the predicable punishments that were meted out to them in response. Shortly after I finished reading the text I told a teacher about it and she said, "Give me that book now! I need it." The basis for her interest may have stemmed from her name appearing on a school wide memo ranking our teachers based on who passed the most students. Her name was on the bottom. I recall her coming up to me in the hallway and wondering if I knew of a way she could have passed a student who missed 70 out of 92 days of instruction. I had no answer then and I have no answer now. Another educator told me of an alternative school that got around the dilemma of what to do with students who do not meet even diluted academic requirements. They issue a no grades whatsoever policy that precludes all descriptors (including "Pass" or "Fail"). He is currently being considered for the Principalship of this institution and wanted to know what I thought about their anti-grading scheme. I told him it was insane. He agreed but noted that the salary was 70 grand a year. I advised that he not mention the policy at all during his interview and then quickly abandon it once his contract was signed. We will see whether or not he has the strength to do so. Unfortunately, although it is not as clear cut as the two examples I cite, most children do grow up in Soft America. It is a land in which they are molly-coddled and excuses are made for their every need and whimper. Many adults are more concerned with injecting them with self-esteem rather than buoying them up with knowledge. Who would have ever thought that the word "facts" would have the negative connotations it has today in educational circles? Children are shielded from the Bizzaro world of Hard America until they graduate and then are thrown into the cauldron of competition. I think Michael Barone has done America a great service by writing this book and I encourage everyone to read it. There's absolutely nothing wonkish about it. The issues are global and should appeal to most citizens- even if it makes the pens of a few bureaucrats run dry.
Rating:
Summary: Great America.
Review: In our society we generally acknowledge that the only way to gain strength and prestige is through working hard and enhancing one's innate abilities. Even though some may dispute this reality, the proof is in the peripherals as there is probably not a work place in the country lacking one of those mundane "Sharpen the Saw" posters. That is why it was with considerable excitement that I opened Michael Barone's Hard America, Soft America: Competition Vs. Coddling and the Battle for the Nation's Future. The book was just over 160 pages long and proved nearly impossible to put down. In this extended essay, Barone pounces upon one of the most important questions of our day and his work overlaps public policy, politics, history, philosophy and education. In short, it is a text that just about everybody should be able to relate to if not appreciate. The theme of Hard America, Soft America is that from the ages of 6 to 18 Americans grow up in a downy world that is largely devoid of competition and accountability, but from the ages of 18 to 30 the texture of their lives radically changes as it becomes rocky and subject to the laws of nature. One either produces or they are fired. It is this world, this cauldron of struggle, that forges the Americans who awe the world with a never-ending parade of inventions and discoveries. Barone gives us a tour of our own history and concludes that much of our illustriousness was created by the rigid and unforgiving forces of Hard America. Men like John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan may not have been able to release their inner child or give group hugs but they were able to employ thousands and provide the means for mass production that made us the victors of war and peace. Barone views their torch as being carried forward by men like Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Fred Smith, and Sam Walton. Barone makes use of cultural works to justify his thesis and includes films like "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," novels like Sister Carrie and infamous dementations like Charles Reich's The Greening of America. The author stresses that there are no firm boundaries between the hard and the soft. Schools may be bastions of softness but within them are islands of sinew. High school graduates immediately encounter Hard America when they enter the military or the private sector (perhaps earlier should they work at McDonalds or Wal-Mart before age 18). There is a parasitical relationship between the solid and the downy aspects of our culture. It is only by the grace and skill of Hard America that Soft America can survive: "Soft America lives off the productivity, creativity, and competence of Hard America, and we have the luxury of keeping parts of our society Soft only if we keep enough of it hard." Without a robust military, there would be no way to preserve the freedom and laxity that is Soft America. Barone dedicated this work to the memory of Senator Moynihan and it is almost a certainty that he would have been pleased by the following description of the effects of excessive softness upon black Americans: "The Softening of criminal justice, welfare, racial quotas and preferences, and education- had the effect of confining most blacks to Soft America. They were left unprotected against crime, deterred from forming stable families, deincentivized the will to achieve. The advocates of Softening hated the idea of imposing middle-class mores on black Americans, but middle-class mores are necessary for achievement in Hard America, and underclass behavior makes such achievement impossible." The field of public education is one in which Softness has triumphed and the author believes that this situation will not change until parents force the issue. For many professionals in our schools, the Chaise lounge chairs of pulpous America massages them forever. Only external forces will coerce them into changing their ways or methodologies. This reviewer has personally witnessed several attempts of individuals to "Speak Truth to Squishiness" by bringing rigor into their classrooms and then observed the predicable punishments that were meted out to them in response. Shortly after I finished reading the text I told a teacher about it and she said, "Give me that book now! I need it." The basis for her interest may have stemmed from her name appearing on a school wide memo ranking our teachers based on who passed the most students. Her name was on the bottom. I recall her coming up to me in the hallway and wondering if I knew of a way she could have passed a student who missed 70 out of 92 days of instruction. I had no answer then and I have no answer now. Another educator told me of an alternative school that got around the dilemma of what to do with students who do not meet even diluted academic requirements. They issue a no grades whatsoever policy that precludes all descriptors (including "Pass" or "Fail"). He is currently being considered for the Principalship of this institution and wanted to know what I thought about their anti-grading scheme. I told him it was insane. He agreed but noted that the salary was 70 grand a year. I advised that he not mention the policy at all during his interview and then quickly abandon it once his contract was signed. We will see whether or not he has the strength to do so. Unfortunately, although it is not as clear cut as the two examples I cite, most children do grow up in Soft America. It is a land in which they are molly-coddled and excuses are made for their every need and whimper. Many adults are more concerned with injecting them with self-esteem rather than buoying them up with knowledge. Who would have ever thought that the word "facts" would have the negative connotations it has today in educational circles? Children are shielded from the Bizzaro world of Hard America until they graduate and then are thrown into the cauldron of competition. I think Michael Barone has done America a great service by writing this book and I encourage everyone to read it. There's absolutely nothing wonkish about it. The issues are global and should appeal to most citizens- even if it makes the pens of a few bureaucrats run dry.
Rating: 
Summary: Accountability --a powerful way to see the world
Review: It's amazing what a simple mental framework can do to help one make sense of the world. Michael Barone has come up with a particularly powerful one: Hard America/Soft America.
He examines the world from the perspective of accountability. Who is accountable and who is less so because of "coddling" institutions and bureaucracies.
He attacks welfarism and slackness in all its forms -- from soft-hearted education to old-style industry regulation.
Fundamentally, the issue revolves around incentives. We want people and institutions to work hard, study, save, plan for the future, and be creative. Excessive regulation, protectionism, and taxation can reduce the incentives that drive these behaviours in all sectors of life.
Yes, the author clearly leans right but his approach is not unbalanced by this. He lambasts post-war Big Business as being excessively coddled until people like Teddy Kennedy (!) and Michael Milken came to the rescue. Kennedy for helping to introduce competition to the transportation industries and Milken for raising the capital for the new emerging competitors.
Moreover, I would guess that the author would agree that CEOs are still excessively insulated from the market by things like securities regulations. It's still too hard to launch a takeover of inefficient companies with excessively lavish executive pay packages.
It would be a less catchy title but maybe "Accountable America, Unaccountable America" is more fitting to describe the essence of this book -- and the power of the framework.
I guarantee you'll be looking through this framework as you interact with people and institutions in your daily life.
Very recommended!
Rating:
Summary: An Insightful Understand of What Makes America Succeed
Review: Michael Barone hs written a ery insightful book on what really has made America the economic success that it is. Not withstanding the political structure of our country, Barone points to the need for competition, responsibility and self-reliance for success to happen. The "SOFT" policies of the left only work to make people complacent and stiffle motivation. An excellant well documented and researched book recomended to all who have an interest in politics or socioligy.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting premise, fairminded analysis
Review: Michael Barone is among those conservative writers (David Brooks and Andrew Sullivan also come to mind) who are more interested in espousing interesting ideas than in questioning the patriotism of those who disagree with them. This book presents a useful framework for looking at recent American history, and as such it's definitely worth a look. The central premise of the book is explained in the other reviews. My purpose in writing this review is to convince other readers like myself - moderate to slightly left of center - to give this book a chance. I think Barone has a lot of interesting observations to make, and unlike the Coulters, Hannitys, and Limbaughs who pose as conservative "thinkers" he's intelligent, open-minded, and has something worthwhile to say. While he clearly is right of center, his critique of recent American history is both fair and thought provoking. Readers on the lunatic fringe, beware - if you're looking for frothing-at- the-mouth hatred of the left, you won't find it here. My only caveat is that it's a bit too short. For example, a longer section on higher education would have been good. I highly recommend this book, it's going to be talked about for some time to come, I think.
Rating: 
Summary: Too SOFT;too superficial...
Review: Michael Barone specializes in writing articles for US News & World Report.HARD AMERICA-SOFT AMERICA is a glorified magazine article with faults and limitations this kind of "reportage" comprises and implies. Anyone with background in the "foci" of the book (BUSINESS;MILITARY;EDUCATION)will probably agree with his assessment about Post-60's "coddling" of THE PEOPLE by self-annointed elites. But his analysis is too superficial, in my estimate,to either inform or disturb. Barone deals with CONSEQUENCES rather than causes. He "hints"; then shys away from confronting profound divides in ethics; religious values and...if you will... "entelechies" driving and underpining the American Polity. This division(glibly called BLUEs & REDs)is the most polarized since the Civil War. YUPPIE-ism; BRO-ism and radical SECULARism has utterly transformed the nation into two virtually no-quarter camps. TEMPTATION to ostentatious,meretricious Materialism has mutated a should-be upper middle class(with affectation to education)into a bottemless/valueless maw of appetites targeted by New Age breed of Ad-men/Shamen: "You are what You eat; he who dies with the most Toys Wins"...has been Yuppster Law for 3 decades(as in decadence). Bro-ism...mutation of radical and necessary Civil Rights Movement of late 50's and early 60's...is a degraded relic specializing in whining,"high-siding" and Victimology. The "race card" is played not only against the Anglo-Culture/oppressor, but against should-be icons within The Community(labled arch-traitors:the Powell's;Cosby's;Thomas's;)by "crabs in the bucket"...who resent not merely escape from, but shedding THE SHELL. Consequences of Bro-ism have been most destructively exploited by(to use Barone's term)elitist CAREGIVERS who patronized THE PEOPLE into utterly dependent clients.This is most evident in The Public School System where standards have been reduced to near non-existence. [ACHIEVE INC.has assessed (examining six key states constituting 1/4 of USA student body)the newest battery of "exit" exams...minimal requirement for graduation...as comprising NO MORE than basic 8th grade material.] BRO-ism has also created industries of victimology in Feminism or any "minority" ready to sell-itself by perfecting THE BLAME GAME and B....Pitching. Radical SECULARism is,perhaps, most striking and deadly of the SOFT-isms DECONSTRUCTING American society's architecture of the SPIRIT. Nothing(except SMOKING)is wrong or sinful; merely "inappropriate". Hence: 85% of American students...from grades 3 to Grad school cheat. There is an abortion every 23 seconds. (46,000,000 since Roe. v Wade. This is equivalent to the Population of the United States at the time of the Civil War). MARRIAGE(prime, sacred institution for 4000 years of Western Tradition)has been profaned into a province of desperate political cultism... HARD AMERICA-SOFT AMERICA is effectively a piece of "soft" criticism. It cossets...barely skirting PC...readers it should challenge or affront,yet provides little comfort to readers (like myself) who agree with Barone. THE BEST LACK ALL CONVICTION WHILE THE WORST ARE FILLED WITH PASSIONATE INTENSITY.(Yeats,"The Second Coming"). Michael Moore might be a clown, but he knows how to stir(by stealing from a literary master)his claque into hysteria if not action. Barone could have done much better.(Three soft-stars for effort.)
Rating:
Summary: Nice Try, But Still Lacking Depth
Review: My brother bought this for me to see what my thoughts were. Given the reviews so far on this book, there is no need to rehash what has already been said. I am not familiar with Michael Barone nor his political leanings. I found that he tried to straddle the fence throughout the piece, which I found refreshing. He criticized both left and right, and praised both as well. Barone does tend to point a finger at liberals more so, but overall it appears he was trying to be 'fair and balanced'. His incorporation of Dewey into the discussion regarding education and the movement toward inclusiveness was necessary, yet, I wonder if the man has spent much time reading Dewey. Without addressing the social backdrop of what Dewey was facing, how can he say what was soft and hard? He ignores the pressures in the workforce for higher pay; how this effected gender differences in the workforce; and also how this effected the life of a child. I wondered while reading Barone if maybe he was suggesting that we should return to Victorian values and beat children. After all, if we want to talk 'tough love', when you spare the rod, you spoil the child. Yet, Barone does not address such historical leanings.
I found it interesting also that Barone refers to a few sociologists to support his thesis. Frankly, all this told me is that Barone must have either majored in sociology or took a sociology class in the late 50s or 60s. The references do little to support his historical arguments. If one is going to refer to Reisman's "The Lonely Crowd," might one also want to look up later research which questions Reisman's thesis, such as Aveni's "Not so Lonely Crowd?" And in attacking the softness aspect of inclusiveness, might one also address issues of confrontation such as Charles Ellwood standing up to the KKK in the 1920s for equal rights as they apply to education? Of course, Barone does mention how civil rights activists are struggling through a hard fight. But it does not fit well with his thesis, so I am guessing he does not want to talk about it, or maybe he simply does not know. I hope it is the latter.
Barone also does not mention the 'Red Scare', nor the Eugenics movement, nor Social Darwinism, ala Herbert Spencer all of which influenced our educational system. All revolved around issues of 'us versus them'. Look at the forces influencing immigration policies; mental health conclusions; and criminal definitions. Does he realize how difficult it was for many immigrants or children of immigrants to get into college? Does he realize how cases such as Cumming versus Richmond County effected African Americans in education. This may be a nice backdrop to discuss the teaching or lack thereof of languages within the educational system until the late 1950s. But again, there is no mention of this.
As we move into the late 20th century, Barone talks about the 200% increase in spending on welfare, yet unfortunately does not tell the reader what welfare is. Asking several people what welfare is, their responses all revolved around programs for the poor. This unfortunately I believe is what most Americans will believe. But during the period Barone is refering to, funding to the poor decreased by 50%. Monies to older adults; subsidies to farmers/ranchers; and monies to Fortune 500 companies increased, all of which could be considered welfare, but Barone does not tell the reader this. So this leaves the reader with the view that we are giving money to the poor in larger amounts as the budget problems became worse. This is not what happened. When things get tough, we cut funding to the poor first.
I also wondered how so easily Barone could say that President Reagan's tax cut in his first year of office led to economic growth through the late 90s. Could it also have been the tax increases that happened through the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations? There is no discussion as to why his statement is true. And why talk about the 1996 welfare reform bill and its alleged successes without talking about independent research that has suggested that the bulk of those that went off welfare roles was due to the economy creating good jobs in the areas where these poor individuals lived?
And if one is going to say that the current President Bush is 'hard' because of his 'accountability' regarding education, why not address what is really going on in education? Maybe talk about the inequities in our school systems. Does he know that schools don't have money for books, computers, libraries etc? Oh, well, some schools do. Maybe it is harder to succeed when one does not have all the new technologies in school. Maybe that is hard. If that were the case, it would probably be valid to state that most African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics have it the best from 0-18 because they do not get coddled in the classroom. In fact, if Barone would look a little deeper, he would find these groups have it the toughest in schools and life. So, wouldn't they be the strongest now?
The problem with the book is that he takes little time to define and develop his thesis. He jumps all over the map and displays what is often ailing American society, that is, we find journalists with a little information telling Americans what is going on. Unfortunately, Barone's literature review is weak. Citing book after book, including racist Charles Murray, does not provide valid information. Books are easy to publish. The review process is weak. Why not take the time to do a literature review on the same subject of material from peer reviewed journals in academia? I honestly think Barone would reach different conclusions, or more likely, would be able to support his thesis with facts, instead of poorly researched opinions.
In all, I liked the idea of what Barone is trying to do. However, this book lacks the depth of what is needed for such an important topic. For the average person on the street, they will not be familiar specifically with whom Barone cites. For those of us who do, this is just another example of what is wrong with 21st century American journalism.
Rating:
Summary: INTERESTING AND INSIGHTFUL!
Review: The contrast between Hard America and Soft America drawn by Michael Barone is distinct; he refers to it as the struggle between competition and coddling. The Soft America of welfare, Social Security, and public schools protects Americans from the Hard realities of life. For instance, Barone discovered in his research that in 1970 welfare was bestowing more in economic benefits than a minimum wage job! This is the opposite of what is needed, argues Barone. The absence of competition does not make a great society; it only removes people's determination. Why would they work harder to get ahead when others meet their needs?
The public school system is one example of an American institution that inculcates Softness in the young, and Barone adeptly traces such coddling in education throughout the past century. Fortunately, hope is on the horizon for schools, as accountability and competition through choice are gaining favor.
In a post-September 11th world it is uncertain if America will continue growing Harder, and consequently more productive, or if Softness will prevail. Barone advocates a foundation of Hardness as necessary for society, but makes it clear that he does not support the total elimination of Soft America, for it performs a social good that has a place. To those ends, we must not let go of the reigns on Soft America, but keep the tight tension between Hard and Soft.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-Provoking book
Review: This is one fascinating premise. Not exactly ground-breaking but more of a concept that was just not ever articulated in quite this way. I enjoyed it very much but could see where it might not be well received by some. The premise is this. The author describes our "Hard America" as the core of competition and accountability. He argues though that "Soft America" is protected and coddled through government regulation and such. He argues that Soft America is parasitic on Hard America. The productivity, efficiency and "grin and bear it" of Hard America feeds the weak and unproductive Soft America. We can only afford a Soft America if we encourage a Hard America. Then he seems to say that a highly disciplined military is an example of a Hard America that protects and preserves Soft America. I repeat I really enjoyed this book even though I guess I see the world somewhat differently to the extent that I do not see competing juxtapositions. I see a remarkable blend in my America. To me fellow Americans who are gifted with talents, intelligence and socioeconomic benefits of health and privilege willingly extend themselves with benevolence to those less fortunate. Our country thrives on charitable foundations that create harbors for those willing but possibly incapable of managing a life of extraordinary productivity. I do (as the author seems to) believe in discipline but I also believe in empathy. I see the magnificence in balance of moderation. I also believe that noone should be disparaging of someone who can afford luxuries. The wonderful thing though is that most who can afford luxuries also share their wealth philanthropically. Terrific thinking book.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-Provoking book
Review: This is one fascinating premise. Not exactly ground-breaking but more of a concept that was just not ever articulated in quite this way. I enjoyed it very much but could see where it might not be well received by some. The premise is this. The author describes our "Hard America" as the core of competition and accountability. He argues though that "Soft America" is protected and coddled through government regulation and such. He argues that Soft America is parasitic on Hard America. The productivity, efficiency and "grin and bear it" of Hard America feeds the weak and unproductive Soft America. We can only afford a Soft America if we encourage a Hard America. Then he seems to say that a highly disciplined military is an example of a Hard America that protects and preserves Soft America. I repeat I really enjoyed this book even though I guess I see the world somewhat differently to the extent that I do not see competing juxtapositions. I see a remarkable blend in my America. To me fellow Americans who are gifted with talents, intelligence and socioeconomic benefits of health and privilege willingly extend themselves with benevolence to those less fortunate. Our country thrives on charitable foundations that create harbors for those willing but possibly incapable of managing a life of extraordinary productivity. I do (as the author seems to) believe in discipline but I also believe in empathy. I see the magnificence in balance of moderation. I also believe that noone should be disparaging of someone who can afford luxuries. The wonderful thing though is that most who can afford luxuries also share their wealth philanthropically. Terrific thinking book.
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