The Tragedy of American Compassion

William J. Bennett once called it the most important book on welfare and social policy in a decade. Period. It influenced the Clinton Administration's welfare reform and deeply affected then-Governor George W. Bush's policies in Texas. But with the war on terror, the ideas in The Tragedy of American Compassion have taken a backseat.

Because it is based on historical successes and ancient wisdom, however, Tragedy is as timeless as ever. Marvin Olasky's groundbreaking book turns on its head both conventional history and rhetoric, showing that America's volunteer poverty-fighters were often more effective than our recent professionalized corps. His research also reveals that the real problem of modern welfare is not its cost but its stinginess in offering the true necessities: challenging, personal, and spiritual aid rather than entitlement and bureaucracy. So this book is now being reissued with new frontmatter to prepare a new generation of Americans to offer help that actually helps and to effectively confront once again the establishment that still impoverishes the impoverished. Foreword by Amy Sherman.

One of the 50 most influential policy books of all time.

Policy.com

A richly documented, controversial history of the welfare state.

Publishers Weekly

Significant changes in government social welfare policy have unfolded since The Tragedy of American Compassion emerged in 1992-just think about the paradigm-shifting federal welfare reform of 1996. Both the book's critics and its promoters would argue that Olasky's ideas mattered and gave shape, to some degree, to some of those changes.

Amy L. Sherman, Senior Fellow, Sagamore Institute for Policy Research

Those who read and understand Olasky's work will be better prepared to move creatively in affirming the dignity of the poor, and in affirming work as a virtue.

John M. Perkins, President, John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development

For domestic policy understanding, no better book recommends itself than Marvin Olasky's splendid The Tragedy of American Compassion.

Orange County Register

One of 'eight books that changed America.'

Philanthropy

Illuminating.

Colorado Gazette-Telegraph

Fascinating.

Wall Street Journal

There is no disagreement between liberals and conservatives about whether to help the lot of the poor, but there is grave disagreement about how to help them, especially because the wrong kind of 'help' is more likely to harm. In The Tragedy of American Compassion, Marvin Olasky shows that although government can assist the merciful efforts of persons, organizations, and communities of faith, it cannot take their place.

J. Budziszewski, Professor of Government and Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin; author of What We Can't Not Know: A Guide

A comprehensive, well documented, and much needed study of the decline of true compassion that provides fresh analysis and provocative insight into the causes and cures of this American tragedy. Must reading for people who want to understand and help correct the plight of hurting people.

Anthony T. Evans, Founder, The Urban Alternative

The fifteenth anniversary reissue of this groundbreaking book has a new foreword and preface to encourage a historically and biblically based approach to welfare.

William J. Bennett once called it the most important book onwelfare and social policy in a decade. Period. It influenced theClinton Administration's welfare reform and deeply affectedthen-Governor George W. Bush's policies in Texas. But with the waron terror, the ideas in The Tragedy of AmericanCompassion have taken a backseat.

Because it is based on historical successes and ancient wisdom, however, Tragedy is as timeless as ever. MarvinOlasky's groundbreaking book turns on its head both conventionalhistory and rhetoric, showing that America's volunteerpoverty-fighters were often more effective than our recentprofessionalized corps. His research also reveals that the realproblem of modern welfare is not its cost but its stinginess inoffering the true necessities: challenging, personal, and spiritualaid rather than entitlement and bureaucracy. So this book is nowbeing reissued with new frontmatter to prepare a new generation ofAmericans to offer help that actually helps and to effectivelyconfront once again the establishment that still impoverishes theimpoverished. Foreword by Amy Sherman.

The fifteenth anniversary reissue of this groundbreakingbook has a new foreword and preface to encourage a new generationin a historically and biblically based approach towelfare.

William J. Bennett once called it the most important bookon welfare and social policy in a decade. Period. It influencedthe Clinton Administration's welfare reform and deeply affectedthen-Governor George W. Bush's policies in Texas. But with the waron terror, the ideas in The Tragedy of American Compassionhave taken a backseat.

Because it is based on historical successes and ancient wisdom, however, Tragedy is as timeless as ever. Marvin Olasky'sgroundbreaking book turns on its head both conventional history andrhetoric, showing that America's volunteer poverty-fighters wereoften more effective than our recent professionalized corps. Hisresearch also reveals that the real problem of modern welfare isnot its cost but its stinginess in offering the true necessities: challenging, personal, and spiritual aid rather than entitlementand bureaucracy. So this book is now being reissued with newfrontmatter to prepare a new generation of Americans to offer helpthat actually helps and to effectively confront once again theestablishment that still impoverishes the impoverished. Foreword byAmy Sherman.