The Hidden History of the American Dream: The Demise of the Middle Class—and How to Rescue Our Future

Summary

America's most popular progressive radio host and New York Times bestselling author explores the fall of the American Dream and the steps we can take to bring it back.

The widening wealth gap is all too familiar to many Millennials and GenZers, especially when home ownership and the lack of debt seem like faraway fantasies. And it's no surprise when they only hold about 4.6% of the country's wealth while Boomers held 22% at around the same age. So what happened to the promise of the American Dream?

In this new, final entry of his celebrated Hidden History series, Thom Hartmann uncovers the rise of the American middle class through the progressive policies of FDR, through to its downfall with the increasing privatization and economic deregulations of the Reagan era.

He also explores potential solutions including wealth and inheritance taxes to lessen economic inequality, supporting unions through increasing labor rights, and renationalizing public spaces and transportation.

The American Dream often remains just a dream for many, but this book highlights what needs to be done to take it back and help make it a reality for us all.