Michael Lewis, bestselling author of engaging nonfiction works like Liar's Poker and Moneyball, dives deep into the challenges faced by government workers. He discusses the damaging effects of DOGE on effective programs and sheds light on public servants who prioritize service over higher pay. With captivating stories, Lewis debunks misconceptions about fraud in government and emphasizes the critical role of civil servants amidst political inefficiencies. His insights reveal a stark contrast between the needs of public service and the whims of political narratives.
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insights INSIGHT
A Timely Book
Michael Lewis, known for timely books, has written "Who is Government?".
The book features essays profiling often-overlooked public servants.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Finding Chris Mark
Michael Lewis found compelling government worker stories easily, just as he did while writing "The Fifth Risk".
He found a former coal miner, Chris Mark, who revolutionized mine safety.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Marks, Father and Son
Chris Mark's father was an expert on Gothic cathedral roof stability.
Chris rebelled, became a coal miner, and dedicated his career to mine safety, mirroring his father's work.
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The Premonition by Michael Lewis is a gripping account of the individuals who foresaw the impending COVID-19 pandemic and the failures in the American public health system. The book focuses on characters such as Charity Dean, a public health officer, and the 'Gang of Seven,' a group of doctors and scientists who created their own pandemic plan. It highlights their tireless work, the use of computer models to predict viral spread, and the challenges they faced amidst political pressure, financial constraints, and public criticism. The narrative underscores the courage and dedication of these unsung heroes and the need for more proactive approaches to public health preparedness.
Flash Boys
A Wall Street Revolt
Michael Lewis
In 'Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt', Michael Lewis delves into the world of high-frequency trading (HFT) and its corrupting influence on the U.S. stock market. The book follows a group of Wall Street iconoclasts, including Brad Katsuyama and Sergey Aleynikov, as they uncover and challenge the unethical practices of HFT firms. Lewis explains how these firms use advanced technology to front-run orders, creating a rigged market that benefits insiders at the expense of ordinary investors. The narrative is engaging and accessible, making complex financial concepts understandable for a broad audience. The book highlights the efforts of these individuals to reform the market and restore fairness, and it has had significant impact, including prompting investigations and public discussions about market structure and fairness[2][3][5].
Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service
The Untold Story of Public Service
Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis's "Who Is Government?" offers a compelling look into the lives and work of unsung federal employees. The book challenges the common negative stereotypes surrounding government workers, showcasing their dedication, expertise, and often overlooked contributions to society. Through a series of essays, Lewis and other writers highlight the crucial roles these individuals play in various sectors, from environmental protection to economic data collection. The book underscores the importance of these often-unseen public servants and the threats they face in the current political climate. It serves as a powerful reminder of the essential functions of government and the individuals who make it work.
Liar's poker
Michael Lewis
Liar's Poker is a non-fiction, semi-autobiographical book that details Michael Lewis's three-year tenure at Salomon Brothers, one of Wall Street's premier investment firms in the 1980s. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the culture of bond traders, highlighting the frat-boy camaraderie, killer instincts, and high-stakes games of bluffing and deception. Lewis describes the creation and use of mortgage bonds, the excessive bonuses, and the ruthless competition among traders. The narrative also touches on the author's disillusionment with the industry, leading to his resignation and transition into financial journalism.
Moneyball
The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
Michael Lewis
The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance[2][3][5].
The Blind Side
Evolution of a Game
Michael Lewis
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game is a dual narrative that examines the evolution of offensive football strategy, particularly the rise of the left tackle position, and the personal story of Michael Oher. The book delves into how the introduction of players like Lawrence Taylor changed the game, emphasizing the importance of the left tackle in protecting the quarterback's 'blind side.' It also follows Michael Oher's journey from his impoverished upbringing to his adoption by the Tuohy family and his eventual success as a college and professional football player. The book touches on themes of sport, culture, family, and the complexities of racial and socioeconomic dynamics in American football[1][3][5].
Michael Lewis is the best nonfiction writer in America — and an old friend. He’s the bestselling author of Liar’s Poker, Moneyball, The Blind Side, and Flash Boys. He was on the Dishcast four years ago to discuss The Premonition: A Pandemic Story, and his new book is Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service — a collection of essays by Michael and others about the federal workers now under assault by Elon Musk. Michael has a preternatural ability to sense what we want to read about when we want to read about it. This book is no exception.
For two clips of our convo — on DOGE killing effective programs, and the calculated trauma imposed on federal workers — pop over to our YouTube page.
Other topics: how civil servants forgo bigger salaries from the private sector; how they don’t take public credit; the awards known as Sammies; the guy who revolutionized mine safety; the IRS worker who fought sex trafficking; how fraud in government is actually quite small; how Trump ignores his daily briefing; his fabulist psyche; his drive for retribution; Vought and the unitary executive; scaring workers to control them; firing the inspectors general; gutting the National Weather Service; the savior culture of USAID; the bipartisan miracle of PEPFAR; how 86% of the debt is interest + entitlements + defense that DOGE can’t affect; Musk’s ignorance on basic civics; the secrecy of DOGE; the Founders’ hatred of monarchy; Trump’s tax cuts; impending inflation; “Blame Canada”; Rubio and the Khalil case; my own green card; Vance in Germany; vilifying Zelensky; the brilliance of Thatcher; Ross Perot’s run; the Clinton/Gore downsizing; Newsom’s tack to the center; the promise of Polis and Fetterman; and stories from TNR in the ‘90s.
Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Nick Denton on China’s inevitable world domination, Evan Wolfson on the history of marriage equality, Francis Collins on faith and science, Douglas Murray on Israel and Gaza, and the genius filmmaker Mike White. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
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