I would expect the reviews of this book to fall fairly evenly along generational lines, vis a vie, if you were born between 1940-1964 (Baby Boomers), you would tend to downrate this book and subsequently write off its author and main points as hogwash. Like the author, I belong to Generation X. Without question, the points raised by Gibney manage to connect all the missing dots I've had throughout my life as to why the world we currently live in sucks so much--and, more importantly, who is largely at fault.
It would be fallacy and a generalization to label everyone in a group of people as bad or good. We've all heard of the "few bad apples" way of thinking and understand the logical implications contained therein. What Gibney does very well is draw connections to the leadership and the electorate. As he mentions, Hitler did not rise to power in a vacuum. There was a process involved. Likewise, Boomers did not simply fall victim to a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. No, they went to the polls, stayed silent, spoke out, raised families, lived life, and impressed their way of thinking onto legislation, policy, legacy, etc. Gibney posits that Boomers were gifted with an economy that was always healthy, growing, and optimistic. They grew up thinking success comes easy, growth is expected, and America is exceptional. They never knew want or struggling the way the Greatest Generation knew. Dr. Spock told their moms and dads to indulge them, let them do as they want, find their own way--and they did. Now we are left with a War on Drugs, Citizens United, and a Great Recession, just to name a few.
I know this is controversial. I know there will be pushback against the author and his theses. However, you have to take a sober look at the evidence presented and draw conclusions based solely on the data in its totality. Taken individually, each of his chapters and the support offered could look like mere generational name-calling and blame-shifting on a large scale. But a careful and systematic examination will reveal conclusions far beyond mere coincidence and wishful thinking. This book features some things critically missing from much of today's discourse--facts, footnotes, and credible sources. And the evidence is hard to argue against.
I am not surprised that many of the -1, -2, and -3 star ratings for this book come from those who have either 1. not purchased the book or 2. haven't read it. It comes as no surprise to me that the same generation who brought us instant gratification, "alternative facts," and the Laffer Curve would turn out en masse to express their righteous indignation toward a book that exposes them for who they really are--criminals, liars, and sociopaths.
However, I have to give credit where it is due. As a generation, they have rallied around a common cause (spoiler alert--entitlements), set forth clearly defined goals (the rise to absolute political domination and the retention of power), and accomplished much of what they set forth to do (leaving the tab to my generation and everyone else following). The Boomers' pièce de résistance? Check the math here; It is no accident that Social Security will have to be cut significantly after 2034.
The rest of "Us" should be outraged. These "Others" have reaped a windfall of profits and left their kids and grandkids holding the bill. Gibney cautions against sanctioning the Boomers for their crimes, which is about as magnanimous a position as I can imagine knowing the depth and magnitude of the wreckage they have left behind for us to clean up.
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An Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2021