Rahm Emanuel is a unique leader who combines a deep understanding of policy with the political skills to get things done. In The Nation City, he offers a new blueprint for making a progressive vision a reality—and shows why cities are increasingly America’s laboratories of democracy.”
—President Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States
"The Nation City surprised me—and in a good way. I had known of Rahm Emanuel as a practicing politician. This book shows how deeply he has thought and inquired into the next stage of governance, in the U.S and around the world. This is a clear, detailed, practical and optimistic guide to the real center of political action. Mayors will want to read this book—and so should anyone looking for creative ideas about the local path to national renewal."
—James Fallows, contributor to The Atlantic and co-author of Our Towns
"An eloquent tribute to the potential benefits of mayoral influence... Emanuel could have penned a traditional memoir; instead, he focuses on duty and service... The narrative is far from a political screed and more of a manifesto about how communities can take care of themselves by concentrating efforts on the local level... He shines a compelling spotlight on that most elusive of ideals: hope."
—Kirkus Reviews
2019-11-10
The former two-term mayor of Chicago (2011-2019) and chief of staff for Barack Obama pens an eloquent tribute to the potential benefits of mayoral influence.
Given his long history of public service, Emanuel (co-author: The Plan: Big Ideas for America, 2006), now a contributor to the Atlantic, could have penned a traditional memoir; instead, he focuses on duty and service rather than his own track record. The book is part memoir, part sociological study, and part road map to readers who may aspire to political office in the future. In these deeply partisan times characterized by widespread gridlock at the federal level, Emanuel argues that mayoral power, even if used via the "bully pulpit," can be more effective than the federal institutions that have failed in even their most basic responsibilities to their constituents. Sure, the author takes a few swipes at Donald Trump, noting that he dislikes cities because they represent qualities that he lacks: "They are progressive, smart, dynamic, inclusive, climate-aware, healthy, innovative and diverse, among other things." However, the narrative is far from a political screed and more of a manifesto about how communities can take care of themselves by concentrating efforts on the local level. After a brief history of mayoral influence in the United States, Emanuel offers microportraits of mayors who are changing their communities for the good worldwide, including Pete Buttigieg (South Bend, Indiana), Mick Cornett (Oklahoma City), and Sadiq Khan (London), as well as leaders in New Orleans, Houston, and Milwaukee. These men and women continue to meet their challenges head-on and seek solutions through innovation, partnerships, and civic cooperation. While it's true that most of the featured leaders are left-leaning progressives, the author also dedicates a chapter to fiscally and socially conservative mayors who are doing their jobs well.
Emanuel has his detractors—who doesn't?—but he shines a compelling spotlight on that most elusive of ideals: hope.