Hope Unraveled

In Hope Unraveled: The People’s Retreat and Our Way Back, author Richard C. Harwood argues that we are not a nation divided between red states and blue states, urban and rural, secular and spiritual. The problem facing our society is in fact much deeper and more troubling: We are a nation in retreat from politics and public life.

Americans are walking away from the public square because leaders no longer reflect the reality of average people’s daily lives in their words and actions. What’s worse, they are distorting those realities for short-term political gain. This retreat transcends race, class, gender, socioeconomic status, and even political party. People are angry with the conduct of their leaders at the national and even local level, but feel powerless to do anything about it.

Hope Unraveled is based on conversations Rich has had with ordinary Americans across the country over the past 15 years, through major research initiatives funded by some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious foundations. It is a story written in their own words, a re-telling of their stories, and a highly in-depth, authentic picture of the current status of today’s society.

Hope Unraveled: The People’s Retreat and Our Way Back is published by Kettering Foundation Press. Neither Rich Harwood nor The Harwood Institute receive proceeds from book sales. If you are interested in a deeper understanding of public life and want to begin a dialogue on how we can collectively fight the people’s retreat, order your copy today from BarnesandNoble.com.

Hope Unraveled: The People's Retreat and Our Way Back, is published by Kettering Foundation Press.

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What Others are Saying About Hope Unraveled

Here are some of the comments people across the country are making about Rich Harwood's groundbreaking new book, Hope Unraveled: The People's Retreat and Our Way Back.

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Rich Harwood has been asking a very important set of questions for some time now. And ever since his book, Hope Unraveled: The People’s Retreat and Our Way Back, appeared, more and more people are asking the same questions. Questions about people’s understandings and their sense of shared values, their connection to others in community, their concern for the American Dream… What is so helpful about Rich Harwood’s approach, is that he knows how to link the practical with the possible.”

Sterling K. Speirn
President
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

"Over the past two decades, no one has been listening to the American people more attentively than Richard Harwood. This book [Hope Unraveled] eloquently summarizes what he has learned - the growing disconnect between the people and their political institutions, why it matters, and what we can do to begin turning the tide."

William A. Galston
Saul Stern Professor
School of Public Affairs
University of Maryland

"Hope Unraveled offers useful insight into re-engaging the public. People want their voices heard and this book provides a way that the community can become involved in public policy."

Pam Iorio
Mayor
Tampa, Florida

Here is one American who has not retreated from public life! Richard Harwood is a practical visionary who is himself the best example of the everyday heroism and civic engagement he is working so hard to re-ignite in his fellow Americans.

Jean Feraca
Host/Executive Producer
of "Here on Earth," Wisconsin Public Radio

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Hope Unraveled

What Others are Saying About Hope Unraveled

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