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Who is government? : the untold story of public service / edited by Michael Lewis.

Lewis, Michael (Michael M.), (editor,, author.). Cep, Casey N., (author.). Eggers, Dave, (author.). Lanchester, John, (author.). Brooks, Geraldine, (author.). Vowell, Sarah, 1969- (author.). Bell, W. Kamau, (author.).

Summary:

"The government is a vast, complex system that Americans pay for, rebel against, rely upon, dismiss, and celebrate. It's also our shared resource for addressing the biggest problems of society. And it's made up of people, mostly unrecognized and uncelebrated, doing work that can be deeply consequential and beneficial to everyone. Michael Lewis invited his favorite writers to find someone doing an interesting job for the government and write about them in a special in-depth series for the Washington Post. The stories they found are unexpected, riveting, and inspiring, including a former coal miner devoted to making mine roofs less likely to collapse, saving thousands of lives; an IRS agent straight out of a crime thriller; and the manager who made the National Cemetery Administration the best-run organization, public or private, in the entire country. Each essay shines a spotlight on the essential behind-the-scenes work of exemplary federal employees. Whether they're digitizing archives, chasing down cybercriminals, or discovering new planets, these public servants are committed to their work and universally reluctant to take credit. Expanding on the Washington Post series, the vivid profiles in Who Is Government? blow up the stereotype of the irrelevant bureaucrat. They show how the essential business of government makes our lives possible, and how much it matters."-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9798217047802
  • Physical Description: xv, 243 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm
  • Publisher: New York : Riverhead Books, [2025]

Content descriptions

General Note:
"All essays in this book with the exception of "The Free-Living Bureaucrat" by Michael Lewis previously appeared in The Washington Post and are reprinted with permission."--Title page verso.
Formatted Contents Note:
Introduction -- The canary / Michael Lewis -- The sentinel / Casey Cep -- The searchers / Dave Eggers -- The number / John Lanchester -- The cyber sleuth / Geraldine Brooks -- The equalizer / Sarah Vowell -- The rookie / W. Kamau Bell -- The free-living bureaucrat / Michael Lewis.
Subject: Civil service > United States.
Genre: Essays.
Informational works.

Available copies

  • 9 of 43 copies available at NC Cardinal.
  • 0 of 1 copy available at Sandhill Regional Library. (Show)

Holds

  • 64 current holds with 43 total copies.
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Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Annie Hubbard McEachern Public Library 351 WHO (Text) 34510000715001 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Cliffdale Library 351 WHO (Text) 31781069090577 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Hudson (Fontana) 351 LEW (Text) 39493108970858 Adult New Nonfiction Available -
Jackson County Public Library 351 W (Text) 39493109534489 Adult New Nonfiction Available -
Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library 352.63 W (Text) 39149008450090 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Lexington Public Library 351 WHO (Text) 25908004425125 Adult New Nonfiction Available -
Marianna Black Library 351 W (Text) 39493109195463 Adult New Nonfiction Available -
Moss Memorial Library 351 WHO (Text) 80605003750584 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Person County Library 351 WHO (Text) 34622001639799 Adult New Nonfiction Available -