William J. Bennett once called it "the most important book onwelfare and social policy in a decade. Period." It influenced theClinton Administration's welfare reform and deeply affectedthen-Governor George W. Bush's policies in Texas. But with the waron terror, the ideas in The Tragedy of AmericanCompassion have taken a backseat.
Because it is based on historical successes and ancient wisdom, however, Tragedy is as timeless as ever. MarvinOlasky's groundbreaking book turns on its head both conventionalhistory and rhetoric, showing that America's volunteerpoverty-fighters were often more effective than our recentprofessionalized corps. His research also reveals that the realproblem of modern welfare is not its cost but its stinginess inoffering the true necessities: challenging, personal, and spiritualaid rather than entitlement and bureaucracy. So this book is nowbeing reissued with new frontmatter to prepare a new generation ofAmericans to offer help that actually helps and to effectivelyconfront once again the establishment that still impoverishes theimpoverished. Foreword by Amy Sherman.
