Synopses & Reviews
Congresswoman and Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz challenges the nation to resolve tough issues for future generations.
America is suffering from a dangerous attack of shortsightedness, outspoken Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz writes in For the Next Generation. If we want to ensure prosperity for ourselves and an improved way of life for the next generation, we have to change starting now. Not only do we need a long-term energy solution but we are faced with a critical moment in healthcare as well as sustained economic distress. Yet, such important issues have been sidelined by bitter alliances, personal vendettas, gridlock, and a Congress too concerned about the next election to worry about 2025 or 2030—at what cost? The cost comes down to a constituency not yet represented by our legislative body: Americas children. For the Next Generation is a call-to-action urging America and our typically dysfunctional Congress to engage in dialogue that fosters change so when today's children are adults they won't be burdened with the same problems.
Clear-spoken and poised, Debbie writes a polemic that digs deep to expose the very real threats America faces as a result of our failure to look tough decisions in the eye, such as how American jobs continue to move overseas and how rightwing lobbying groups hold politicians hostage. She advocates shifting our focal point to the ways every American can help implement forward-thinking policies. With stories from her own life as a career mom and one of Congress most powerful personalities, Debbie forces us to reevaluate what we hold dear—now and for the future.
Review
“In For the Next Generation, Debbie Wasserman Schultz sets forth why the progressive agenda is the best solution for Americas challenges more persuasively than any I have ever seen. The book is a must read for anyone interested in our nations future.” —former Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA)
Review
“An interesting perspective on parenting and lawmaking.” —Booklist
“A forceful statement that cross-party cooperation is necessary to improve political discourse for future generations.” —Kirkus Reviews
“In For the Next Generation, Debbie Wasserman Schultz sets forth why the progressive agenda is the best solution for Americas challenges more persuasively than any I have ever seen. The book is a must read for anyone interested in our nations future.” —former Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA)
“Having served with Debbie in Congress, I saw her play many roles: mom, talented legislator, party leader. This excellent book is written by Debbie the mom, and recommends strategies for meaningful reform in our schools and to improve the quality of life and well-being of America's children, like having towns and cities across the country create a Community Report Card for Children. Both parties should embrace this thoughtful proposal.” —Jane Harman, former member of Congress (D-CA), Director, President, and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
"Debbie Wasserman Schultzs personal stories in For the Next Generation reveal a woman with the grit of a fighter, the courage of a leader, and the heart of a mom. If you want to ensure a better world for your children and grandchildren, you cannot help but be inspired by this book." —Carole King, singer, songwriter, environmental activist
"Despite today's rancorous partisanship, Debbie and I are friends. She brings passion and commitment to everything she does, whether it's being in Congress, fighting cancer, leading her daughter's Girl Scout troop or being captain of the Congressional Women's Softball Team. We disagree on policy issues, including many of the ones she writes about here. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will have a leading role on the political stage for a long, long time. It's useful to know how the other side thinks. That's why Republicans and Democrats should read this book." —Ana Navarro, Republican Strategist, CNN Political Commentator
Review
"Throughout, she offers remembrances of her three children growing up—constant reminders of the significance of her job to the future of her children and other children. An interesting perspective on parenting and lawmaking." —Booklist Review
"A frankly partisan political treatment anticipating the upcoming midterm elections, the author's detailed discussion of the issues chronicles the effects of legislative obstructionism and should help fill in the record for all voters...she delivers a forceful statement that cross-party cooperation is necessary to improve political discourse for future generations." —Kirkus Review
“In For the Next Generation, Debbie Wasserman Schultz sets forth why the progressive agenda is the best solution for Americas challenges more persuasively than any I have ever seen. The book is a must read for anyone interested in our nations future.” —former Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA)
“Having served with Debbie in Congress, I saw her play many roles: mom, talented legislator, party leader. This excellent book is written by Debbie the mom, and recommends strategies for meaningful reform in our schools and to improve the quality of life and well-being of America's children, like having towns and cities across the country create a Community Report Card for Children. Both parties should embrace this thoughtful proposal.” —Jane Harman, former member of Congress (D-CA), Director, President, and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
"Debbie Wasserman Schultzs personal stories in For the Next Generation reveal a woman with the grit of a fighter, the courage of a leader, and the heart of a mom. If you want to ensure a better world for your children and grandchildren, you cannot help but be inspired by this book." —Carole King, singer, songwriter, environmental activist
"Despite today's rancorous partisanship, Debbie and I are friends. She brings passion and commitment to everything she does, whether it's being in Congress, fighting cancer, leading her daughter's Girl Scout troop or being captain of the Congressional Women's Softball Team. We disagree on policy issues, including many of the ones she writes about here. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will have a leading role on the political stage for a long, long time. It's useful to know how the other side thinks. That's why Republicans and Democrats should read this book." —Ana Navarro, Republican Strategist, CNN Political Commentator
Review
“Elected to the Florida legislature at 26, Schultz was determined to be a childrens advocate even before shed started her own family. At the end of her eight-year career in state office, Schultz went on to Congress and has continued her child-centric perspective in legislation on improved public education and affordable health care, gun control and reproductive rights, immigration policy and foreign policy. She recalls her experiences with the legislative process of partisanship and gridlock that threatens any efforts at constructive legislation, ultimately at the cost of American children. Noting how few women with young children are members of Congress, Schultz appeals for resolution of political discord and issues a challenge to adopt a parents perspective on how lawmaking or the lack of it will affect future generations.
Throughout, she offers remembrances of her three children growing up—constant reminders of the significance of her job to the future of her children and other children. An interesting perspective on parenting and lawmaking.” —Booklist Review
"Democratic National Committee chair Schultz assembles a party platform and memoir organized around improving the lives of America's children, in a debut co-authored by Fenster (FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force that Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, 2009, etc.).
A frankly partisan political treatment anticipating the upcoming midterm elections, the author's detailed discussion of the issues chronicles the effects of legislative obstructionism and should help fill in the record for all voters. At age 26, Schultz was the youngest woman ever elected to Florida's state legislature, and she was elected to Congress in 2005, where she has specifically championed the rights of women and children. She is an advocate for bipartisanship and policies based, above all, on fairness. She reviews the major planks in the Democratic Partys platform, from reform of the financial system to global defense issues and health care, but she also examines social security, Medicare and Medicaid. She takes up particular legislative initiatives dealing with children, women and the family and documents which Republican leaders have represented the most consistent opposition. Schultz is active in the fight against hunger in the United States, and she sponsored the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008, which aimed the largest law enforcement effort ever against sexual predators and child pornographers and mandated different agencies to cooperate. She also fought for the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, originally passed in 1994, which was obstructed in the House by tea party supporters. In previous eras, writes the author, these proposed laws, like many others she discusses, would have readily found bipartisan support, not systematic obstruction. Schultz also provides an inspiring account of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' successful bipartisan efforts to improve border security in Arizona.
Though the author doesnt break much new ground, she delivers a forceful statement that cross-party cooperation is necessary to improve political discourse for future generations." —Kirkus Review
“In For the Next Generation, Debbie Wasserman Schultz sets forth why the progressive agenda is the best solution for Americas challenges more persuasively than any I have ever seen. The book is a must read for anyone interested in our nations future.” —former Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA)
“Having served with Debbie in Congress, I saw her play many roles: mom, talented legislator, party leader. This excellent book is written by Debbie the mom, and recommends strategies for meaningful reform in our schools and to improve the quality of life and well-being of America's children, like having towns and cities across the country create a Community Report Card for Children. Both parties should embrace this thoughtful proposal.” —Jane Harman, former member of Congress (D-CA), Director, President, and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
"Debbie Wasserman Schultzs personal stories in For the Next Generation reveal a woman with the grit of a fighter, the courage of a leader, and the heart of a mom. If you want to ensure a better world for your children and grandchildren, you cannot help but be inspired by this book." —Carole King, singer, songwriter, environmental activist
"Despite today's rancorous partisanship, Debbie and I are friends. She brings passion and commitment to everything she does, whether it's being in Congress, fighting cancer, leading her daughter's Girl Scout troop or being captain of the Congressional Women's Softball Team. We disagree on policy issues, including many of the ones she writes about here. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will have a leading role on the political stage for a long, long time. It's useful to know how the other side thinks. That's why Republicans and Democrats should read this book." —Ana Navarro, Republican Strategist, CNN Political Commentator
Synopsis
Congresswoman and Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz challenges the nation to resolve tough issues for future generations.
America is suffering from a dangerous attack of shortsightedness, outspoken Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz writes in For the Next Generation. If we want to ensure prosperity for ourselves and an improved way of life for the next generation, we have to change starting now. Not only do we need a long-term energy solution but we are faced with a critical moment in healthcare as well as sustained economic distress. Yet, such important issues have been sidelined by bitter alliances, personal vendettas, gridlock, and a Congress too concerned about the next election to worry about 2025 or 2030—at what cost? The cost comes down to a constituency not yet represented by our legislative body: Americas children. For the Next Generation will be a call-to-action urging America and our typically dysfunctional Congress to engage in dialogue that fosters change so when today's children are adults they won't be burdened with the same problems.
Clear-spoken and poised, Debbie writes a polemic that digs deep to expose the very real threats America faces as a result of our failure to look tough decisions in the eye, such as how American jobs continue to move overseas and how rightwing lobbying groups hold politicians hostage. She advocates shifting our focal point to the ways every American can help implement forward-thinking policies. With stories from her own life as a career mom and one of Congress most powerful personalities, Debbie forces us to reevaluate what we hold dear--now and for the future.
About the Author
DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ was the youngest woman elected to the Florida state legislature and the first Jewish Congresswoman elected from Florida. Wife, mother of three, and breast cancer survivor, she is currently the Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
JULIE M. FENSTER is the author of FDR's Shadow, The Case of Abraham Lincoln, and Ether Day, and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Parish Priest.