Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Perhaps never before has there been a book better timed or more urgent.” —Washington Post
"This eye-opening, multifaceted ode to public service. . . feels both urgent and moving." —The Guardian
"Terrific." —New York Times
“Lewis has done it again.” —LitHub
“Michael Lewis has this incredible ability to zoom in on one person's story, and from there reveals something much bigger about our culture. His books leave you seeing the world differently, and his books about federal workers are no exception.” —Katie Couric
"A spirited rebuttal to the canard that federal civil servants are nest-featherers up to no good. . . .
All the contributions. . . press the point that the government’s work is useful—and no one else but government workers are likely to do it. Compelling arguments against ideologues bent on dismantling the government." —Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, incredible stories
(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I loved this book. I always enjoy a Michael Lewis book, but this set of essays is a wonderful collection of stories about people who took in anonymity. Yet their work has such incredible impact and demonstrates WHY we have a federal government. Should be required reading in high schools, fostering more young people to serve and choose civil service careers.
5.0 out of 5 stars Our government will survive any setback because of unknown dedicated employees throughout our land.
An outstanding read. Chosen by our Book Club for 2025-26. Enjoyable as each chapter is an essay on a different employee of each government agency and written by a different gifted writer. I’ve sent a copy to family member.
4.0 out of 5 stars Government as Human Interest
I was expecting more of a breakdown of the actual departments within departments and what people actually do, or did within them. But this is not that. It is a collection of essays from selected authors who have written about selected individuals within selected departments. If you are looking for something that connects you via human interest to the federal government, this is your book. The point is to see government employees as people, similar to your friends, family or possibly yourself - not the nebulous "they" who have often been vilified.
5.0 out of 5 stars Some of Our Best Storytellers and a Story That Needs Telling
Michael Lewis and his colleagues do us all a great service by shining a light on the dedication, genius, and effectiveness of those who make public service their mission. We are too easily convinced by the politically driven narrative that those who work for us in the public sector are goldbricking parasites feeding at the government trough, but this book is an inspiring tour of several examples that give the lie to that wildly inaccurate conventional wisdom. Anyone interested in the functions of our government should read it, and the good news is that it’s a fascinating and entertaining read!
5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless idea that is made vital by the current crisis
"Who Is Government" would be an excellent book regardless of when it was published. Michael Lewis not only wrote two excellent chapters for the book, but he also selected six authors who added their voices to the accurate depiction of how selfless public servants improve our lives. What makes the book not just excellent but also vital to the health of Civics in the US is the timing of its publication, though. "Who is Government" is a crucial shield against the vilification of career government officials (and the contempt towards public service as an ethos) that has grown louder and infected more than 70 million Americans since Trump started his baseless accusations about "The Deep State."I read and re-read Lewis' previous assessment of the strong service ethic in the Federal Government (and how it was dismissed and neglected by the first Trump Administration). "The Fifth Risk" left me wondering about how many more examples there would be of public servants working hard on behalf of their fellow citizens while trying to stay as far away as possible from the spotlight. I'm happy to report that "Who Is Government" delivers a near-perfect answer to my question.The only sad reaction this book elicits is indirect, and it got worse as I read the negative reviews here. Chances are that those who need to understand how the Federal Government meets their needs far better than a self-aggrandizing POTUS (and his Apartheid Nepobaby sidekick) ever could will never assess "Who Is Government" with intellectual honesty, or read it at all. Ultimately, we are not talking about a fight between Democrats and Republicans, or between liberals and conservatives. This is a fight between knowledge and willful ignorance. That the latter seem to be winning bothers me less than how irreparable the consequences of their temporary victory might be for the US and for the rest of the world.In view of this, I choose the same path Lewis and his co-authors chose. Shine a light on the valuable work good people do, explain as clearly as possible that work helps even those that attack it without understanding it, and hope that we'l be able to convince some of them that they were wrong.
5.0 out of 5 stars A quick and thoroughly enjoyable read
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read even though I found a number of stories heavily biased towards what could be described as "progressive" views. While the book doesn't draw any specific conclusions, it sort of nudges you towards the view that the government (the system and the people) is noble, hardworking despite being underfunded and underplayed. In short something we need more of. In real life the picture is much more complex with both being concurrently true: lots of well-meaning hardworking people and well intentioned programs AND a good deal of dead wait and waste, fraud, and abuse. We should be able to keep both thoughts in our minds at the same time and to have a civil, constructive discourse about them. These are the stories that need telling, stories about people who need to be celebrated. And, not surprisingly, I cried when reading the last one.
3.0 out of 5 stars Read the Bookends
The first and last stories were the best. The middle riddled with politics. I read to avoid political banter which this book did not provide.
4.0 out of 5 stars A reminder of the good that governments do
A series of stories of the good work that federal employees often do, that directly or indirectly benefit many people.
Fantastic
(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Very happy
The item arrived in damaged state.
The item arrived in damaged state.
Educating and enjoying at the same time
Great short stories
Public Service keeps in rolling
Required reading for all citizens who are loyal to democracy and their country.
Well-meaning effort to appreciate US federal government employees
Interesting but brief series of essays on some unsung stars of the US federal government in different departments. This book seems to have been rushed out to counter Trump's slashing of federal agencies, which is an admirable idea but it could have had more depth. Focusing on a few individuals you don't really know how well the agencies themselves work.
Visit the Michael Lewis (Editor) Store
Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service
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Visit the Michael Lewis (Editor) Store
Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service
AED16512
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Perhaps never before has there been a book better timed or more urgent.” —Washington Post
"This eye-opening, multifaceted ode to public service. . . feels both urgent and moving." —The Guardian
"Terrific." —New York Times
“Lewis has done it again.” —LitHub
“Michael Lewis has this incredible ability to zoom in on one person's story, and from there reveals something much bigger about our culture. His books leave you seeing the world differently, and his books about federal workers are no exception.” —Katie Couric
"A spirited rebuttal to the canard that federal civil servants are nest-featherers up to no good. . . .
All the contributions. . . press the point that the government’s work is useful—and no one else but government workers are likely to do it. Compelling arguments against ideologues bent on dismantling the government." —Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, incredible stories
(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I loved this book. I always enjoy a Michael Lewis book, but this set of essays is a wonderful collection of stories about people who took in anonymity. Yet their work has such incredible impact and demonstrates WHY we have a federal government. Should be required reading in high schools, fostering more young people to serve and choose civil service careers.
5.0 out of 5 stars Our government will survive any setback because of unknown dedicated employees throughout our land.
An outstanding read. Chosen by our Book Club for 2025-26. Enjoyable as each chapter is an essay on a different employee of each government agency and written by a different gifted writer. I’ve sent a copy to family member.
4.0 out of 5 stars Government as Human Interest
I was expecting more of a breakdown of the actual departments within departments and what people actually do, or did within them. But this is not that. It is a collection of essays from selected authors who have written about selected individuals within selected departments. If you are looking for something that connects you via human interest to the federal government, this is your book. The point is to see government employees as people, similar to your friends, family or possibly yourself - not the nebulous "they" who have often been vilified.
5.0 out of 5 stars Some of Our Best Storytellers and a Story That Needs Telling
Michael Lewis and his colleagues do us all a great service by shining a light on the dedication, genius, and effectiveness of those who make public service their mission. We are too easily convinced by the politically driven narrative that those who work for us in the public sector are goldbricking parasites feeding at the government trough, but this book is an inspiring tour of several examples that give the lie to that wildly inaccurate conventional wisdom. Anyone interested in the functions of our government should read it, and the good news is that it’s a fascinating and entertaining read!
5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless idea that is made vital by the current crisis
"Who Is Government" would be an excellent book regardless of when it was published. Michael Lewis not only wrote two excellent chapters for the book, but he also selected six authors who added their voices to the accurate depiction of how selfless public servants improve our lives. What makes the book not just excellent but also vital to the health of Civics in the US is the timing of its publication, though. "Who is Government" is a crucial shield against the vilification of career government officials (and the contempt towards public service as an ethos) that has grown louder and infected more than 70 million Americans since Trump started his baseless accusations about "The Deep State."I read and re-read Lewis' previous assessment of the strong service ethic in the Federal Government (and how it was dismissed and neglected by the first Trump Administration). "The Fifth Risk" left me wondering about how many more examples there would be of public servants working hard on behalf of their fellow citizens while trying to stay as far away as possible from the spotlight. I'm happy to report that "Who Is Government" delivers a near-perfect answer to my question.The only sad reaction this book elicits is indirect, and it got worse as I read the negative reviews here. Chances are that those who need to understand how the Federal Government meets their needs far better than a self-aggrandizing POTUS (and his Apartheid Nepobaby sidekick) ever could will never assess "Who Is Government" with intellectual honesty, or read it at all. Ultimately, we are not talking about a fight between Democrats and Republicans, or between liberals and conservatives. This is a fight between knowledge and willful ignorance. That the latter seem to be winning bothers me less than how irreparable the consequences of their temporary victory might be for the US and for the rest of the world.In view of this, I choose the same path Lewis and his co-authors chose. Shine a light on the valuable work good people do, explain as clearly as possible that work helps even those that attack it without understanding it, and hope that we'l be able to convince some of them that they were wrong.
5.0 out of 5 stars A quick and thoroughly enjoyable read
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read even though I found a number of stories heavily biased towards what could be described as "progressive" views. While the book doesn't draw any specific conclusions, it sort of nudges you towards the view that the government (the system and the people) is noble, hardworking despite being underfunded and underplayed. In short something we need more of. In real life the picture is much more complex with both being concurrently true: lots of well-meaning hardworking people and well intentioned programs AND a good deal of dead wait and waste, fraud, and abuse. We should be able to keep both thoughts in our minds at the same time and to have a civil, constructive discourse about them. These are the stories that need telling, stories about people who need to be celebrated. And, not surprisingly, I cried when reading the last one.
3.0 out of 5 stars Read the Bookends
The first and last stories were the best. The middle riddled with politics. I read to avoid political banter which this book did not provide.
4.0 out of 5 stars A reminder of the good that governments do
A series of stories of the good work that federal employees often do, that directly or indirectly benefit many people.
Fantastic
(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Very happy
The item arrived in damaged state.
The item arrived in damaged state.
Educating and enjoying at the same time
Great short stories
Public Service keeps in rolling
Required reading for all citizens who are loyal to democracy and their country.
Well-meaning effort to appreciate US federal government employees
Interesting but brief series of essays on some unsung stars of the US federal government in different departments. This book seems to have been rushed out to counter Trump's slashing of federal agencies, which is an admirable idea but it could have had more depth. Focusing on a few individuals you don't really know how well the agencies themselves work.
Similar suggestions by Bolo
More from this brand
Similar items from “National”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/UO0QUM2MKCZ