Caught Between the Dog and the Fireplug, or How to Survive Public Service

by Kenneth H. Ashworth

Replete with practical advice for anyone considering a career in federal, state, or local government, Caught between the Dog and the Fireplug, or How to Survive Public Service conveys what life is really like in a public service job. The book is written as a series of lively, entertaining letters of advice from a sympathetic uncle to a niece or nephew embarking on a government career.

Kenneth Ashworth draws on more than forty years of public sector experience to provide advice on the daily challenges that future public servants can expect to face: working with politicians, bureaucracy, and the press; dealing with unpleasant and difficult people; leading supervisors as well as subordinates; and maintaining high ethical standards. Ashworth relates anecdotes from his jobs in Texas, California, and Washington, D.C., that illustrate with humor and wit fundamental concepts of public administration.

Be prepared, says Ashworth, to encounter all sorts of unexpected situations, from the hostile to the bizarre, from the intimidating to the outrageous. He shows that in the confrontational world of public policymaking and program implementation, a successful career demands disciplined, informed thought, intellectual and personal growth, and broad reading. He demonstrates how, despite the inevitable inefficiencies of a democratic society, those working to shape policy in large organizations can nonetheless effect significant change-and even have fun along the way.

The book will interest students and teachers of public administration, public affairs, policy development, leadership, or higher education administration. Ashworth's advice will also appeal to anyone who has ever been caught in a tight spot while working in government service.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2001

About the author

This author also writes as Ken Ashworth

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for my Navigating the Public Workplace class. It's a collection of advice-essays about working in the public sector, especially in leadership positions. Touches on issues of ethics, working with difficult people, principles of good leadership, etc. Decidedly helpful, though not exactly riveting.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written as a series of letters to his niece (fictional), the author discusses aspects of public service, more specifically, government work in easy-going prose. Scenarios or events over the course of his career are discussed in the context of which they occurred. These are important details to learn about as they are difficult to learn from a textbook, but the use of prose in a conversational tone conveys aspects of government work that are subjective to the work experience, not necessarily a part of the job that can be learned from a traditional textbook.

[Holli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give 4-5 stars for the value of information given, but 2 stars for delivery. The letters to Kim approach was not appealing and read as vain and self-serving.

[Tucker Cherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for MPA-500. Written as a series of letters to the author’s niece who is starting out in public service. Often enlightening, occasionally entertaining

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the title of this book. What a great way to describe the role of public servants! For anyone currently working for government, Ashworth (former Commissioner of Higher Ed in Texas) lays out the dilemmas and challenges of this career choice. He shares personal stories that tested his character and morals throughout his 40 years working in the public sector. Great read for any of you who find yourself getting pissed on more often than you like :)

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.
2/22/2020
I have assigned this for my personnel course as I want to give my students a 360 view of the life of someone in HR - both as employer AND employee. This book speaks to the latter. I'm not sure if it is the right fit for the course, as I need to wait til the end of the semester, but it is still a good book with some good lessons for a new public servant.

[Filip Gecic · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all public servants that would like to make working in government their permanent career. It is a witty account of some major challenges of being a public servant and providing the best service to the community and avoiding being a “bureaucrat”.

[Sheila Embry · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former HQ government employee, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself nodding "yep" to the information inside this book. Delivered in a cheeky way but the information is valid and valuable.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bloated with self aggrandizement. Terrible book, except for seeing just what's wrong with our government.

[Donald Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly, highly recommended for anyone who is studying for an MPA or wants a greater understanding of what, exactly, public servants face.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

at times a little wordy & rambling, but overall a great message on working in public service