Synopses & Reviews
The newest book by Joel Berg — internationally recognized leader and media spokesman in the fields of hunger, poverty, food systems, and U.S. politics, and the director of Hunger Free America — America We Need to Talk: A Self-Help Book for the Nation is both a parody of relationship and self-help books and a serious analysis of the nation’s political and economic dysfunction. Explaining that the most serious — and most broken — relationship is the one between us, as Americans, and our nation, the book explains how, no matter who becomes our next president, average Joes can channel their anger with our hobbled system into concrete actions that will fix our democracy, rebuild our middle class, and restore our stature in the world as a beacon of freedom and hope. Starting with the belief that it is irresponsible for Americans to blame the nation’s problems solely on “the politicians” or "the system," Joel makes a case for how it is the personal responsibility of every resident of this country to fix it. The American people are in a relationship with their government and their society, and, as in all relationships, it is the responsibility of both sides to recognize and repair their problems.
Review
"Fearless and compulsively readable, America, We Need to Talk will make you laugh, think and snort coffee through your nose. Joel Berg is that irascible uncle who speaks the unmentionable truth at family dinners. You may squirm, but secretly you re glad he's there." Lori Silverbush filmmaker, activist
Review
"Joel Berg has done it again with another book to challenge policy makers and Americans to think boldly and creatively about how to solve some of the biggest issues facing our nation. Joel won t rest until we end hunger and poverty once and for all. And, quite frankly, we need more people like him." Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Review
"It is both important and entertaining. We need both — I've never seen the political world so sad, so foolish. So dangerous. This book will certainly help." Toni Morrison
About the Author
Joel Berg is Executive Director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH). He served for eight years under the Clinton Administration in Senior Executive Service positions in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), creating a number of high-profile initiatives that fought hunger and implemented national service projects across the country.