John W. Gardner, founder of Common Cause, has served his country in many roles ranging from that of Marine Corps officer to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. He has been a professor, a foundation president, and in 1974 was awarded the presidential medal of freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. “The task of the moment,” Mr. Gardner says,” is to recreate a motivated society.” How are we to combat widespread apathy? How are we to release the spirit and zest and enthusiasm that drives civilizations forward? Now, after a dozen years wholly devoted to action and conflict in public life, Mr. Gardner steps back and looks at the beliefs and values that must underlie human striving. He says of this book, “It’s about the attitudes and values at the core of your being.” He confronts hard questions and offers powerful, thought-provoking answers.
