Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America

by Robert B. Reich

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From political economist, cabinet member, beloved professor, media presence, and bestselling author of Saving Capitalism and The Common Good, a deeply felt, compelling memoir of growing up in a baby-boom America that made progress in certain areas, fell short in so many important ways, and still has lots of work to do

"Important and galvanizing.” —Senator Bernie Sanders

"Essential reading for understanding this moment in American history.” —Molly Jong-Fast, New York Times bestselling author of How to Lose Your Mother

A thought-provoking, principled, clear-eyed chronicle of the culture, politics, and economic choices that have landed us where we are today—with irresponsible economic bullies and corporations with immense wealth and lobbying power on top, demagogues on the rise, and increasing inequality fueling anger and hatred across the country.

Nine months after World War II, Robert Reich was born into a united America with a bright future—which went unrealized for so many as big money took over our democracy. His encounter with school bullies on account of his height—4'11" as an adult—set him on a determined path to spend his life fighting American bullies of every sort. He recounts the death of a friend in the civil rights movement; his political coming of age witnessing the Berkeley free speech movement; working for Bobby Kennedy and Senator Eugene McCarthy; experiencing a country torn apart by the Vietnam War; meeting Hillary Rodham in college, Bill Clinton at Oxford, and Clarence Thomas at Yale Law. He details his friendship with John Kenneth Galbraith during his time teaching at Harvard, and subsequent friendships with Bernie Sanders and Ted Kennedy; and his efforts as labor secretary for Clinton and economic advisor to Barack Obama. Ultimately, Reich What did his generation accomplish? Did they make America better, more inclusive, more tolerant? Did they strengthen democracy? Or did they come up short?

Reich hardly abandons us to despair over a doomed democracy. With characteristic spirit and humor, he lays out how we can reclaim a sense of community and a democratic capitalism based on the American ideals we still have the power to salvage.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Biography, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

Audible Audio

First published August 5, 2025

About the author

Robert Bernard Reich is an American politician, academic, and political commentator. He served as Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997. Reich is a former Harvard University professor and the former Maurice B. Hexter Professor of Social and Economic Policy at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. He is currently a professor at the University of California, Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy. Mr. Reich is also on the board of directors of Tutor.com. He is a trustee of the Economists for Peace and Security. He is an occasional political commentator, notably on Hardball with Chris Matthews, This Week with George Stephanopoulos and CNBC's Kudlow & Company.

Reviews

[Ken]

Billed as a memoir, Coming Up Short is also a political tract and a plea. It's the type of book where you constantly feel the urge to quote excerpts, thinking to yourself, "Great point!" or "This is exactly how I feel!" or "I never knew that, but now I see how things have come to be as rotten as they presently are!" All good feelings (despite being about odious things).

The "call to action" finish features short chapters with such titles as "Rejecting 'Both-sides-ism'," "Refusing Dr. Phil," "Restoring Democratic Capitalism," "Reclaiming Patriotism," "Creating 'We' Workplaces," "Sharing the Profits," "Making Community Count," "Recirculating Stuff," "Leading America," "Making Society Healthy," and "Watching the Moneyed Class Get Run Over."

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Reich hasn't drifted or much changed in his core beliefs. He's never fallen prey to the "get rich quick and the devil take the hindmost -- read: the vast majority of Americans" like so many other politicians, bought and paid for, have. He points out that Trump's culture wars and emphasis on immigrants, crime, DEI, etc., are really a smoke screen for the fact that most of his moves are made to make himself and his fellow 1%ers rich and richer still. As for common Americans, he's all about their votes only, period. End of story.

As an example of the many great points he makes throughout this book, there's his charges against the media, including liberal media, which is intent on "both side-isms":

"More of our ablest journalists must be willing and able to tell America the truth and their bosses must allow them to do so. It is not 'partisan' to explain what Trump and his anti-democracy movement are seeking. It is not 'taking sides' to point out that the Trump Republicans are trying to establish an authoritarian government in America. It is not 'violating journalistic standards' to tell the unvarnished truth about the crisis we are facing today. A failure to call out the Trump Republicans for what they are -- liars, enablers, and accessories to crimes against the Constitution -- itself violates the most basic canons of journalistic ethics."

And so, what you have here is a guy in the twilight of his life pulling no punches. He even has some criticisms for Clinton and Obama and the more traditional Republican George W. Bush, chiefly for being beholden to Wall Street and notoriously for the Wall Street bailout of 2008, wherein the little guy was left to his own sinking devices while the banks committing crimes where saved and propped up -- at taxpayer expense.

He has nothing but bad to say about EVERYONE involved in opening the gateways to campaign contributions -- unlimited and hidden offerings to lobbyists and political candidates alike -- by the monied class. These fabulously wealthy folks now own the politicians in Washington, certainly in the White House, in Congress, and yes, even in the "Supreme" Court, which is partisan and looking out for the 1%-ers.

Reich rues the fact that Hillary, and not Bernie Sanders, got the presidential nomination in 2016. He truly believes that Sanders' form of populism for the people would have won the day over Trump's form of populism for himself. It's all part of the "If" game, though. If only Republicans had held Trump accountable when he ginned up the crowd that attacked the Capitol. If only Republicans did not "fear" Trump so much that they do his every bidding instead of what they know is good for the country.

If, if, if. It doesn't change where we find ourselves and the long road back that lies ahead of us.

[Ava Courtney Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Reich for president!

Unfortunately, I’m too young to remember Reich as a Clinton cabinet member, and I’m not privileged enough to know him from his Harvard professorship. It was Reich’s articles in the Guardian and posts on social media that first brought me to his work, and I preordered this book right away because I loved what I saw.

In this book, Reich details his life and career in terms of standing up against bullying, from fighting for himself as a kid to seeing bullies everywhere in America and taking a stance. Reich stands for feminism, civil rights, gay rights, and for the common American against big corporations, billionaires, and corrupt demagogs alike. Throughout his memoir, Reich weaves his own personal narrative with compelling historical events and statistics that detail how his generation let us down from these ideals. My favorite part is when he ties John Rawls’ classic veil of ignorance thought experiment with the Powell memo: we clearly could have built a society with freedom and justice for all, but we chose instead one where corporations and oligarchs rule over everyone. That, and the joke about Hillary’s buttered popcorn.

Reich writes how he was once the Democrats’ “new guru” in the 1980s when his first book came out. Had we listened to him then, perhaps the Democrats wouldn’t have so glibly abandoned the working class, and perhaps we wouldn’t be living under fascist rule now.

Can we vote for Reich as president?

[Betsy Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not merely a memoir. It is a history—personal and comparative—and because it's also a compellingly readable story, it's sometimes magical. Former Labor Secretary and so many other things Robert Reich was born at the start of the Baby Boom generation in 1946. But, at the beginning of the book, this fact is woven into the simultaneous histories of Donald Trump, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, as well as the Frank Capra movie It's a Wonderful Life—also born in 1946. What a great way to launch a memoir and history. It's inventive, idiosyncratic, and FUN!

Over and over, in Reich's words, "my eyes welled up" as people I'd known of from general history knowledge and events I lived through, but from the periphery, became deeply personal. And sometimes I learned history that had somehow escaped me: the hardhat riot of May 8, 1970 right here in NYC, "the first major salvo in America's culture wars, and it had been planned in [Nixon's] Oval Office (128)." I attribute my emotional reactions to storytelling that carries a kind of vibrant energy that animates everything he writes. (And I have no doubt that same energy makes him a gifted teacher.)

Reich's history and American history, starting in 1946, are seamlessly intertwined, and reading this memoir is an emotional, visceral experience. Sometimes funny, always entertaining, his personal life intersects not only early on with murdered Freedom Rider Michael Schwerner, but with Hillary Rodham Clinton when he was at Dartmouth, segueing into the beginning of a professional life working a signature machine for Bobby Kennedy and going on to organize young people for Eugene McCarthy in the fight against LBJ for the Democratic nomination for president.

Reich is ambitious as early as grade school, and turns out to be an absolutely fearless leader, activist, and organizer in his twenties. Although he suffers from a genetic disorder that ended his physical growth at 4'11" and made him a magnet for bullies when he was a child (experience that has directed his politics as well as the rest of his life), his ability to jump in wherever he is needed and make a difference make him to us sapiosexuals (people who are attracted to intelligence) a stud! (And I'm sure that would make him blush and laugh.)

However, not only is he smart, he is self-aware. He tells a remarkable story that I will not spoil by retelling it about encountering his own potential to become a bully and rather than getting seduced by the "win" inherent in what happens, he is shocked and commits to never letting himself go down that road. Oh, my heart!

There was a lot of economic policy which was interesting, but I'm not educated enough to understand the weeds. But then came the chapter "Becoming Secretary." Kaboom. New understanding about how government works, and specifically cabinet confirmations. (Teaser: confirmation has zero to do with what a candidate knows or even his policies.) I felt as if I was learning secrets that can be extended to many parts of life. (Interestingly, I had the same reaction to E. Jean Carroll's hilarious and detailed narrative in her memoir Not My Type about how her lawyers prepared her to testify. And then the judge's instructions to the jury. And I've had the same reaction to Elizabeth Warren's books which connect the dots between economic policy and life. All of this leads me to think that were we all educated by economists and lawyers for at least part of our schooling, the world would be a better place because we'd understand how the "game" is played.)

The "Becoming Secretary" chapter was followed by a laugh-out-loud one about meeting Fed chair Alan Greenspan, with imaginary conversation worthy of the best comedy writer. And then there is Reich's lunch with Bill Gates, and the ethical brouhaha around his letting Gates pick up his tab made me groan with both longing for ethics and pain at the naked grift in today's White House. There's the "Illicit Affair" chapter about his laugh-out-loud long, funny, loving friendship with tall Alan Simpson, Republican Senator for Wyoming. And so much more.

I reiterate, this book is FUN! But it's a lot more than that. Sometimes the policy and economic discussion erupts in a call to action with a prophet's vision of a different future. I found myself silently cheering during the following passage from a chapter titled "The Rigging of the Market."

It was once thought acceptable to own and trade human beings, to take the land of Indigenous people by force, to put debtors in prison, and to exercise vast monopoly power. It must now be asked: Is it morally acceptable that the typical worker's wage has stagnated for the last forty years while most of the economy's gains have gone to the top? Do we believe that people who are fabulously rich are succeeding because of their own inherent worthiness or because the game is rigged in their favor? Have people who are poor failed, or has the system failed them? Is it morally acceptable that the pay of American CEOs of big companies has gone from an average of 20 times that of the of the typical worker forty years ago to over 350 times today? Are the denizens of Wall Street—who in the 1950s and 1960s earned modest sums but are now paid tens or hundreds of millions annually really "worth" that much more now than they were then? (360-361)

As Arthur Miller wrote in Death of a Salesman, "attention must be paid" to the working people of this country. Otherwise we are unsustainable. Robert Reich tells the whole chaotic story of how we got where we are, while maintaining optimism in young people's will and ability to transform us.

See Robert Reich podcast about the book: Coffee Klatch.

[Tim Null · Rating 5 out of 5]

When moving to California a good many decades ago, my wife and I drove through Arkansas. Shortly after entering that state, there was a huge billboard with a large photo of the local governor welcoming us to Arkansas. I turned to my wife and said, "Bill Clinton wants to be president."

She replied, "Who's Bill Clinton?"

I fear I've digressed even before I've begun.

Robert Reich's book Coming Up Short is historically valuable. Especially for its behind the scenes look at the Clinton presidency. (There are better Reich books to learn about economic principles.)

My biased view about Bill Clinton is that he succeeded initially because he acted like a Republican. However, Clinton ultimately failed because he learned to lie and cheat almost as well as a frigging Republican. (In Clinton's defense, I should mention that Ronald Reagan turned the Republican party into a cult, and Newt Gingrich took full advantage.)

Quote
Because I was short enough to fit into the jump seat opposite Bill [Clinton] in the White House limo, I'd try to find out what time he was leaving the Oval Office so I could get in the limo and make my pitches to him in private, arguing against the policies Bob [Rubin, the Secretary of Treasury,] was pushing. Bill listened politely, but I could tell that my constant harping about widening inequality was beginning to make me more of an irritant than a helpful adviser. p.189

[Eventually,] I figured that since I couldn't have much effect on the [Clinton] administration's big decisions, I'd retreat to the Labor Department, where I could have a big impact small decisions ... p. 190

[Gingrich had the] meanness of a little kid ... And like all bullies, inside was an insecure little fellow who desperately wanted attention. p. 208

Being an activist for social justice means working hard but not expecting the goals to be achieved anytime soon. p. 289
Unquote

[Marshall Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The biography portions were interesting and fun, but his analysis of what ails the United States is right on. I watched a company I worked for fall prey to the forces Reich thinks are destructive to this country. My company, founded by charismatic and thoughtful men, was sold to an equity company which systematically squeezed it for bigger profits, decreased benefits, and eventually sold off the company for big money. Profits over people; law and order over freedom; nationalism over diversity!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is also a great history lesson, and it combined much of what I studied in college and taught in a college course with politics of the last 40 years. The author toes in his sense of humor in laugh-out-loud ways and also provides advice for how we can stop the bullies. I’d recommend this book to anyone!

My favorite quotes:
“Nothing important works out in the end, unless we work hard for it now. We must all be activists. Overtime, I’ve come to understand that the choice is not between gaining immediate wins or falling into passivity. Being an activist for social justice means working hard but not expecting the goals to be achieved any time soon. It requires accepting that they may not be achieved in our lifetime. But that seeking them is essential for our lives to matter. It means taking on some challenges you’re likely to fail at, but which may inspire others along the way. It means regarding some failures as Nobel experiments. It means seeking to achieve big important, things that will change people’s lives for the better. Even if you come up short.” — Part VI The Long Game: My Mother’s Advice


“…but the stark reality, as I have traced it and lived it over the past 78 years, is that the richest and most powerful nation in modern history—the America that emerged victorious from World Ward II and whose democracy was a beacon for much of the rest of the world, is now coming up short. Trump and trumpism are consequences —not causes. As I hope I’ve made clear, the causes have been growing for more than 40 years. We could have addressed them. We did not. The responsibility to remedy this— to restore genuine opportunity, strengthen democracy and contain the bullies—now falls to those who come after us.” - Growing Old (final words of the book)

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book!

I was too young to be paying attention to the politics (and drama) of the Clinton administration, so my familiarity with Robert Reich came from his Instagram posts and videos. Reich’s videos demonstrated his talent for taking complex problems or ideas (as well as topics that can immediately “trigger” many a MAGA) and breaking them down into easy-to-understand explanations and graphics. Reich was able to translate this skill into this book successfully - mixing memoir, American history, and amusing tales from his many fascinating jobs, while connecting it all through the theme of “bullies.” Reich’s argument that the concept of the “common good” being critical to a civilized society, while castigating the dangers of selfish individualism (epitomized by a certain orange cretin) feels like an essential part of the conversation that is often missing in political discussions. Overall, this book was a fast-paced, fascinating, refreshing, and, dare I say, hopeful read.

Also - Reich referring to Ayn Rand as “Trump’s pinup girl” made me full out witch cackle.

[Beth Seabreeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting account of all the things the professor saw and did in politics. He was in the middle of it all.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic memoir from a man who’s spent his life in politics fighting for workers. I’ve closely followed politics for most of my life, and I knew a lot of the material covered in this memoir. But Mr. Reich, having worked closely with many administrations (and just by virtue of being a lot older than me,) covered so many gaps in my knowledge and provided essential context so that I now have a much better understanding of, for instance, why there was such an explosion of corporate money in politics in the 1980s, and why the GOP has been so vocal about their (supposed) disdain for large government. I also learned about the Hard Hat Riot (seriously wtf???) and the Powell memo. This is an essential read for anyone who wants to know how we got to where we are in the US in 2025, and wants to fight to protect democracy.

[Bryan Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Robert Reich would be a U.S. President if he weren’t 4’10”.

Executive Summary

Robert Reich’s Coming Up Short traces the erosion of the American middle class through decades of economic policy and political compromise.

1. Abandonment of the Working Class — Both major parties, Reich argues, prioritized Wall Street and globalization over the needs of ordinary workers.
2. Democratic Drift — As Labor Secretary under Bill Clinton, Reich witnessed Democrats shift toward pro-corporate centrism, alienating their traditional labor base.
3. Rise of Resentment — This betrayal seeded the populist anger that later fueled the rise of Donald Trump.
4. Patriotism Reimagined — Reich defines true patriotism as inclusive and civic-minded—defending democracy, equality, and justice rather than symbolic nationalism.
5. The Path Forward — Reviving the American Dream requires rebuilding trust in public institutions and creating economic systems that reward contribution over exploitation.

Review

Coming Up Short is a lucid, impassioned argument that America’s working class has been systematically betrayed—not by one party alone, but by a bipartisan surrender to corporate power. As a learning designer and citizen, I left the book convinced that the American Dream isn’t dead, just deliberately starved.

Reading Coming Up Short felt like sitting in office hours an unflinching yet hopeful teacher (who happens to be a Harvard Economics professor)—a man determined to remind his country of its moral obligations. Reich’s analysis blends moral philosophy with economic realism. He’s angry, yes, but his anger is tethered to faith in the American project. What struck me most wasn’t the critique of capitalism (that’s familiar territory), but his insistence that patriotism and justice are not opposites—they are inseparable.

Reich’s idea of “true patriotism” felt essential to me. Compared to Trump’s brand of “patriotism”with gaudy symbols, empty rhetoric, and token gestures when it comes to serving the American People and reducing our $38 trillion debt stands is stark relief to what Reich proposes. Reich’s patriotism isn’t partisan; it’s civic. He calls us to love America enough to make it fair. Community sacrifice over self aggrandizement.

As alluded to in the book (and in a season 4 episode of Only Murders In the Building), there seems to be a correlation between one’s feelings toward the film It’s a Wonderful Life and one’s proclaimed political party. I would love to conduct an informal Facebook survey exploring this further. The film, which FBI memos once labeled “communist propaganda,” celebrates community over profit. My hypothesis is that Democrats often cherish the film for that reason—it’s a story about people triumphing over Potter’s predatory capitalism. However, I imagine many Republicans, by contrast, dismiss or distrust it, perhaps because they either fail to recognize or resent its critique, deriding it as socialism. Not wishing to admit it (even to themselves) some Republicans may argue that Potter is the hero of the film, thereby resorting to a straw man attack of the film, calling it childish or stupid.

Reich speaks to me from an academic, professional, and moral perspective. As a learning scientist, the book doubles as a case study in civic learning. Reich models what critical reflection looks like on a national scale: questioning assumptions, re-examining systems, and confronting cognitive dissonance with courage. His writing pushes readers to develop civic metacognition—to think about how we think about our country. That’s rare and deeply necessary.

TL;DR
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reich argues that the American Dream isn’t dead—it’s been hijacked. He calls for a recovery of moral and civic imagination: a patriotism grounded not in flags or slogans but in fairness, dignity, and shared sacrifice. Essential reading for anyone who loves It’s a Wonderful Life for what it truly is—a parable of people over profit—and wants to believe that dream can still be saved.

Similar Reads

- Saved by Benjamin Barber — on democracy, markets, and moral citizenship.
- Who Stole the American Dream? by Hedrick Smith — a journalistic counterpart to Reich’s moral economics.
- Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty — a macroeconomic deep dive into inequality and the structures Reich condemns.

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I first learned about Robert Reich – when he was Secretary of Labor to President Bill Clinton – I have looked up to him. In my estimation, he is a giant among men. Reading his book in which he outlines his life experiences and observations concerning the current state of affairs was enlightening and inspiring.

[Skyhorse Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just a few months younger that Prof Reich and I find I have very much in common with him as far as attitudes about politics, society, wealth, good and evil, etc. I highly recommend this book.

[WM D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming up a memory of my America by Robert Reich.( nonfiction. The plot of this book is about the life of Robert Reich and how he and his family learned how to live in a country that is changing. I really enjoyed reading about his experiences in his life. He focused on his upbringing and his personal life and career. The book It was about his own personal experiences with being secretary of labor under Clinton and Obama. I would recommend people read this book to help them understand how the world economic situation is changing and how it is affecting our lives today.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. Really liked the solutions he put forward as well. Not sure it will ever happen though, especially given the political climate we are in. Professor Reich is an inspiration and an excellent communicator about capitalism and economics at their best when they serve the people and each other. Again I am still a bit more cynical than he is but we do need hope that things can get better.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really incredible memoir. I enjoyed listening to the audio book that Reich himself narrates, though at times it could be a bit repetitive. I learned a lot about the origins of how we got to the environment we in the US find ourselves in today. The stories themselves lend thoughts to solutions (e.g., undo or reverse earlier policy decisions) and Reich also offers notes on the “Long Game” we must play to move out of the cultural populism that came out of forty years of such decision making. I did find myself striving for more solution suggestions but I think Reich was intentional in providing ideas, not prescriptions, for a path forward- and showcasing the causes to help the next generation determine the best solutions. I was unfamiliar with Reich before this book but am quite moved by his writing and approach.

[Avid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert reich is such a gift to progressives. He not only gets us, but can plainly articulate our views in so many areas of government, politics, the environment, civil rights - everything. This is just one more example. Highly recommend.

[theelizzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're considering reading this one I highly recommend the audiobook, which is read by Robert Reich himself. Occasionally throughout the book when he quotes speeches the actual audio of the live speech is played!

[Miles Hupert · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most poignant books I have read in my life. I think an essential read for anyone in America, trapped within a government system poised against them. From the detailed beginnings of corporate money in America (and its direct effect on the world as we know it today), political action spending, and the rise of corporate overlords that rule politics in a way unseen prior to the Second World War. The rise of the "new republican" hellbent on governmental destruction, hate, and blind commitment to whatever their goal has been determined for them at that time. Losing sight of what it means to be a politician: to work for the people, no matter what side of the aisle, political view, or background. Most importantly, he details the extreme decline of the modern democratic party, a group bent on its own self-destruction due damn near entirely to the Citizens United case. I see it every day, where huge republican donors will pour money into Cuomo's campaign in New York just to push for the defeat of someone who has actually upheld the values of what most Democrats believe they support. The way Hilary Clinton got the nomination in 2016 over Bernie Sanders should have been a lightbulb moment for those who actually want to see a better world in front of them. No matter your agreement or not, a political sabotage at the hands of billionaire donors to shoot down the campaign of someone they supposedly agree with, just because their actions don't align with their own, should never be seen as normal, proper, or paving the way to a Democratic presidency. Bernie Sanders was the last and only major political figure who has fought for the lower-middle class, bar none. The modern abandonment by democrats of the white middle class and the lower class within America makes it so obvious that a demagogue like Trump will be able to appear, siphon their voices, their power, and their votes, because they have been completely abandoned by the people who are supposed to be heralding them. Watching these democratic presidential candidates lose the low-middle classes more and more every year and yet have a candidate like Kamala Harris never address this widening inequality so that she can get more political action money from big center-left "democratic" donors, makes it almost ignorant how someone who had so much promise can lose so vehemently and by such a large margin. The pursuit of "the bag" by those who go into finance, economics, and consulting would not exist without the rise of corporate power that has allowed these career paths to be as profitable as they are(at the sacrifice of the public, common, and moral good). Finally, this book so beautifully writes about the power of being a teacher, the love he has for his students, the love he has for teaching as a whole; it has made me feel so bright about this future I have committed to for myself, that I can not wait for it to become a reality.

[Peacejanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book. This is Robert Reich's memoir, subtitled A Memoir of My America. And it is a memoir of my America, too - before all the corporate buy-outs, the cheats in government, the bribes in US government places. Reich is a very smart man and has served in many positions in government and academia. He was a Cabinet Secretary of Labor for President Clinton and advised many presidents and officials in government. I have always admired him - for being very smart and wise, for stating his beliefs and for standing up for those beliefs. He is not from a wealthy family but was beloved by students, Republicans and the public at large. The title of the book is humerous - a play on words. Reich was physically a small child and grew up to be about 5 feet tall. He is willing to joke about it. There are photos in the book of him standing with Hillary Clinton (who is taller than he is) and another standing with his good friend, John Kenneth Galbraith who was 6 feet, 8 inches tall.
I enjoyed reading about events from my past, Nixon and the Watergate break-in, Nixon resigning, and so many other events that I remember. Reich remembers, and tells, things that I did not know or remember. He reminds us that Jared Kushner and his father have always been crooks, the father went to prison for a time and their real estate company used arrest warrents to collect rents from people unable to pay the egregious rents. Reich tells so many tales of truth that we know he really is retiring. The Trumpers would harass him to no end to get even if he were to continue teaching in university and writing about world and US economics. Like me, many of Reich's old friends are dying off and he has taken this opportunity to write his memoirs and some of the amazing stuff that will die with him.
Hooray for Shorty Reich. This is a wonderful book for those of us who remember the good and the bad about politics in our country. I loved this book - think it will be a joy for any educated person who wants to know the "back story." If I outlive him, I will shed a tear when I hear of the death of Robert B. Reich, an honest man. He always was one of my favorite politicians.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

On balance, I liked this book a lot ... most of it. The two early parts of the book were alternately redundant and boring, but once past that ... the narrative was very strong and educational. Let me explain.

The first chapter tells of his dealing with bullies in his youth, which is admirable but goes on way too long in focusing on being bullied and his height. If I didn't already think he was self-conscious about his height (4' 10" I believe), I sure do now. I didn't need 50 pages of bullies, bullies, and bullies ... which theme to one degree or another is carried on throughout the tale. The second chapter deals with his coming of age, and after a while that sort of lulled me to distraction. Now don't get me wrong ... his being bullied incessantly and his coming of age certainly helped make him what he is today ... which is pretty spectacular, but I thought these two subjects were just carried to excess. Now for the rest of the narrative, it was excellent.

His chapter titled "The Great U-Turn" was a great screed on the business world changing from a stakeholder to a shareholder perspective ... and what that meant for so many other things; how that set the foundation for where we are today.

Much of the rest of the book is replete with anecdotes: lunches with Alan Simpson and Bill Gates, comments and highlights about Obama, Ailes, Gore, the Clintons, etc. Reich explains the far-reaching impact of NAFTA, shades a lot of the troubles in America on Bob Rubin and the advice he gave presidents, and details how the middle class has shrunk with little upward movement anymore for most citizens.

In the end, this was really a fine book. I sometimes felt much of the first two chapters were there just to give it book length, but people who want to know how we got into the political and financial situation we find ourselves in today, will get many answers in this tale. Recommended.

[Dana Clinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America (Robert B. Reich) The story of a life... and of America's ups and downs during that life... inspiring, sometimes dispiriting, always however, hopeful that American democracy can survive, that the USA can return to being a moral beacon in the world, in spite of its flaws (as every country, and indeed, every individual has). I read this mostly on breaks during work but brought it home to finish it off. At the end, Professor Reich talks with passion about what teaching meant to him in his life, which resonated strongly with me, reminding me of the ache I still feel at being forced out of what I loved and did best in my life. He also finishes with this: "It is far too easy to attribute failure to a generation, way too simplistic to blame those with the power to change society for the better who did not exercise such power. Most of the people I have worked with did the best they could under circumstances over which they felt little control. But the stark reality...is that the richest and most powerful nation in modern history, the America that emerged victorious from World War II and whose democracy was a beacon for much of the rest of the world, is now coming up short. Trump and Trumpism are consequences, not causes...the causes have been growing for more than forty years. We could have addressed them. We did not. ... The responsibility to remedy this--to restore genuine opportunity, strengthen democracy, and contain the bullies--now falls to those who come after us. They include my wonderful, brilliant students." Growing inequality and culture wars are all about unleashing ungodly amounts of money into politics. Read with hope.

[Fred Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a firm believer in capitalism. But, and it is a large one, the capitalism I refer to is "stakeholder capitalism" or what Reich refers to as democratic capitalism when the benefits derived from profit are spread among the stakeholders - the shareholders, the employees, the management, the community. In the 60's the average CEO made 20 times what the average employee made, now it is 300 times. Money has distorted the process through private equity, big money managers who drive the system for short term results and maximum profits, usually at the expense of employees and the community due to artificial tax breaks and low wages. The objective of the political system becomes one of killing regulatory protections, eliminating employee benefits such as union protection, education, training and health care.

I freely acknowledge that in this book he is preaching to the choir but I feel that those of opposite viewpoints would stand to benefit from his analysis of how the middle class has fallen so far behind in the last 40-50 years, especially the analysis of the corroding effects of money on the political system.

One of the talents he exhibits which makes him popular as a professor and political commentator is not only his varied background but the wide variety of viewpoints he is able to address. His ability to explain complicated economic and political concepts in an understandable way, joined with a good bit of humor make this an interesting read. The title refers to his height, barely 5 feet, and the fact that the system is coming up short with regard to the reasonable expectations of Americans.

Definitely a 5 star effort!

[Rianne Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Robert Reich and this is the 3rd book of his I’ve read. Here, he weaves in
his personal story from when he was a kid and his early career days to help explain how the government and Democrats stopped serving the working class. He points to formative experiences for him, including growing up with a condition (same as Danny Devito’s!) that stunted his height and being bullied for it. I didn’t remember he worked for Fords administration or Bobby Kennedys campaign or that Galbraith was his mentor.

He illustrates how Democrats vying for the votes of white, college-educated protesters of Vietnam War and later the wealthier suburban vote as ways the party forgot about the middle class and economic populism. He also claims how destroying the Glass- Steagall act policies, creation of NATO, and expansion of corporate power into politics further ruined the working class and prioritizing their voice in elections.

I think he makes a great argument and I enjoyed so much listening to his voice narrate in the audiobook. I always prefer to listen to a memoir vs reading one (plus he distracted me in my runs!). He talks about his life as a teacher and professor. How much he values the young voices and learning from them. That we need to change our approaches for education to their preferred styles, which he’s certainly done with his social media posts. Some of his solutions are idealistic, but what would we be as a society without someone proposing the purest of solutions? I encourage everyone to read this. He’s been such an important voice in my life.

[Carol Dimitriou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most extraordinary and important books I have ever read! If I could give it more than five stars, I would. Robert Reich writes of the shortcomings of his generation regarding their inability to keep our society from turning out the way it has. The loss of society being concerned for "the common good" is a truly terrible loss. The greed and corruption of many of our corporations, public servants, and the leaders of our country is devastating. It would be to their great advantage if the young people of our country would read this book, and take some of the author's suggestions to heart. Something needs to be done to keep our democracy from collapsing, and the youth of our country are the only ones who can do it. GREAT book!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building on the pun that is this book's title, I believe there are very few Americans truly worth looking up to. One of them is Robert Reich. I don't think there is anyone alive who can better convey and explain the reality of the convergence of corrupt politics paired with snake-oil economics. Teaching that reality has been his life's work and it's not surprising that in this memoir, he devotes more of it to that rather than talk about himself. Even if you don't read this book or any of his others, I encourage you follow him on social media or watch the videos he puts out. If everyone would heed his warnings and advice, we'd live in a much better world.

[Karin Loewen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating, and I especially enjoyed listening to the audiobook read by the author. A memoir is an engaging way to learn history. Most of the events he talked about were things I remember happening but didn’t understand at the time. Reich has a good mind for critical thinking, and that, combined with his experience working with both parties, allows him to speak honestly about what has been happening within our government over the last 50+ years. I believe he is one of the most important voices of our time.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy to read in its straightforward presentation and endearing educated and even keeled narrator drawing parallels to childhood bullying. difficult to read because it's sooooo depressing to know how close America is/was to being infinitely better.

[natalie zander · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m not politically or economically savvy enough for this to totally land with me but i am a dedicated robert reich substack reader (and, let’s be honest, dropout tv watcher) so i had to see it through

[Marta E C R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I’m greatly appreciative of Reich’s thoughts, though the economic stuff is hard for me to understand. I’m very glad to have read this book, and hope to some small extent to participate in the future of America, which I sincerely hope will continue its democracy.

[Molly Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve seen Robert as a speaker and so I wanted to see if his speech giving translated well to his books and it does. It was eye opening to see how our current political climate is a result of decisions made 40+ years ago.