Social Insecurity: 401(k)s and the Retirement Crisis

James W. Russell (Get this book)
This is the story of how one individual fought bureaucracy and won. Along the way, Russell educates us about the fallacies inherent in our three-legged retirement system of Social Security, personal savings, and the employer pension 401(k) system. Although most of his battle is with the pension (defined benefit or DB) plan in the state of Connecticut, he manages to give readers an eyeful about Social Security and the issues with personal investing not only in the U.S. but also in Chile, the UK, and other countries. His homework is impressive. His campaign is truly a case history to be emulated, one that requires much patience and time.--Booklist

Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution

John Paul Stevens (Get this book)
The former Supreme Court justice proposes constitutional changes to restore the old republic. Provocative only begins to describe Stevens' program. Perhaps the most controversial is the constitutional amendment that, after surveying the history of amendments generally, he saves for last--namely, to rewrite the Second Amendment so that it indisputably speaks to the intention of the Founders. That plain talk extends to his arguments for limiting money given to those in power--overturning Citizens United in the bargain--and controlling states-rightist impulses to nullify federal authority and declare sovereign immunity. A refreshing set of opinions. One wishes that other retired justices would speak their minds so clearly, providing well-crafted arguments for others to take up.--Kirkus

The Road to Global Prosperity

Michael Mandelbaum (Get this book)
A distinguished analyst of international affairs looks at the future of the global economy and discovers mostly good news. Mandelbaum concedes the difficulty of accurate predictions, but he insists we know enough now about how the global economy works to identify the forces likely to shape it. He takes it as a given that, notwithstanding a backward step or two, the global economy will continue to grow if we can overcome political obstacles that stand in the way of prosperity. He begins by discussing global security, essential to the growth of free markets, and the continuing, if somewhat diminished, role of the United States as enforcer. All readers, though, will admire his firm grasp of economics and history, his startling analogies--for example, comparing the study of economics to the science of seismology--and his smooth, genial delivery of complex information. An incisive assessment of the political problems underlying our increasingly integrated world economy.--Kirkus

On the Same Track: How Schools Can Join the Twenty-First-Century Struggle Against Resegregation

Carol Corbett Burris (Get this book)
An educator offers a bold prescription to promote equality in America's public schools. High school principal and educational researcher Burris delivers a strong critique of tracking, the practice of sorting students within schools or districts that gives them different access to learning. Drawing on numerous studies and her own experiences and interviews, Burris concludes that tracking causes segregation of those black, Latino and poor students who are identified as low achievers with limited intellectual prospects. Well-educated and economically advantaged parents feel that they deserve educational privileges for their children. Burris offers concrete advice for school leaders trying to counter such assumptions, and she argues persuasively that tracking undermines real educational achievement for all students. An important book that should be required reading for educators, parents and school boards.--Kirkus

The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown

Paul Taylor (Get this book)
An incisive survey of vast recent changes in American society and the ever-wider generation gap between baby boomers and millennials. In this well-written, data-rich book, Taylor, executive vice president of the Pew Research Center and a former Washington Post reporter, examines the demographic, economic, social, cultural and technological changes that are reshaping the nation. His key focus is on the problem of generational equity: "[A]s our population ages, how do we keep our promises to the old without bankrupting the young and starving the future?" Furthermore, he writes, the generations are "divided by race, politics, values, religion, and technology to a degree that's rare in our history." An authoritative report and required reading for policymakers.--Kirkus

A New Leaf: The End of Cannabis Prohibition

Martin, Alyson; Rashidian, Nushin (Get this book)
Investigative journalists Martin and Rashidian offer a carefully researched, accessible survey of current debates about the decriminalization of marijuana. They present the history of cannabis prohibition and explain how the U.S. is currently governed by three different sets of state laws while the Feds, particularly through the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, continue to enforce the criminal federal laws. While the authors don't have definitive answers, they make a clear argument that decriminalization of marijuana (now fully legal in Colorado and Washington) will happen in many other states, if not everywhere. Changing marijuana laws doesn't seem as scary a proposition by the end.--Publisher's Weekly

Kicking the Kremlin: Russia's New Dissidents and the Battle to Topple Putin

Marc Bennetts (Get this book)
Engagingly grim, frequently absurdist portrait of Vladimir Putin and the popular protests against him, which are gaining steam. Moscow-based British journalist Bennetts maintains a cool, even tone throughout these portraits of the Putin oligarchs, who are determined to keep power, and the leaders of the dissident movements aiming to oust them. Bennetts insightfully portrays a Russia on the cusp of popular revolt.--Kirkus