No Easy Victories,

by John W. Gardner

Paperback copy of author's third book, a collection of his 1964-1968 writings.

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Cheryl]

This book was recommended by a speaker at a library conference. She was talking about helping her staff make some changes -- in responsibilities, in interactions, in processes. It was a difficult task for her, and she used this book as inspiration. Lately I have been hearing a lot about incremental changes, and the necessity to be patient when trying to achieve change. I think the most important take away from this book is the recognition of how difficult it is to stay disciplined and focused everyday on the small things that, in the long run, make a HUGE difference in everyone's life. If you are missing the sound of a calm, reasonable, rational male voice, find this book. (dated 1968)

"The middle of the road American is like a preoccupied king: he doesn't react readily, but once aroused he rules the nation. He doesn't comprehend all the complexities of modern life -- who does? -- but he comprehends some things that are crucial to the strendth and stability of the nation, among them the simple claims of responsibility. Both extremes of the political spectrum are characterized by irresponsibility. The middle of the road American - Negro or white -- has put up with a lot of extremists. He's about ready for a Revolt of Common Sense." pg. 11, Chapter title: Public Mood

"Every democracy must encourage high individual performance. If it does not, then it closes itself off from the mainsprings of its dynamism and talent and imagination, and the traditional democratic invitation to the individual to realize his full potentialities becomes meaningless. Because of the leveling influences which are inevitable in popular government, a democracy must, maintain what Ralph Barton Perry has called "an express insistence upon quality and distinction." When it does not do so, the consequences are all too familiar: the deterioration of standards, the debasement of taste, shoddy education, vulgar art, cheap politics and the tyranny of the lowest common denominator." pg. 61-62, Chapter title: Quality and Equality

"Liberally educated people will have sensed man's littleness as well as his occasional greatness, his capacity to aspire, his infidelity as well as his faith and his faithfulness. Understanding these things, they will distinguish between the enduring excellences and the glittering prizes of the moment." pg. 94, Chapter title: The Universities, Means and Ends

"The individual without roots, without a sense of identity or belonging, is a hazard to everyone, including himself. He is a ready recruit to strange causes. He is likely to lash out in desperate efforts to find meaning and purpose. We have too long pretended that people can live their lives without those ingredients. They cannot. And if they cannot find socially worthy meanings and purposes, they will cast about desperately and seize upon whatever comes to hand -- extremist philosophies, nihilist politics, bizarre religions, far-out protest movements."pg. 146, Chapter title: The Individual and Society

"This isn't a naturally just, or kindly, or friendly, or orderly world. It never was, it never will be. In some communities and nations, at some moments in history, men have succeeded in creating social institutions and traditions that temper the natural ferocity of the species. But only with difficulty and only through unceasing effort. To the extent that the ideals of freedom, justice, brotherhood and individual fulfillment have been extended and made real, it has happened because some men and women have had the irrepressible conviction that the betterment of the human condition is possible." pg. 168, Chapter title: Hazard and Hope

"Today the first duty of responsible citizens is to bind together rather than tear apart. The fissures in our society are already dangerously deep. We need greater emphasis on the values that bind us together. And I don't just mean between Negro and white, or between rich and poor, but between conservative and liberal, Democrat and Republican, labor and management, North and South. We need greater common allegiance to the goals and binding values of the national community." pg. 171, Chapter title: Hazard and Hope

[Bruce Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated, and sometimes annoyingly disjointed, but still a useful collection of humane perspectives of that tricky relationship of individual and state.