Harwood to speak about latest book and implications for current events
Monday, September 12, 2005
(National Press Club Breakfast)WASHINGTON ó Richard C. Harwood, president and
founder of The Harwood Institute for Public
Innovation, and author of Hope Unraveled: The
People's Retreat and Our Way Back, will be
speaking about the findings in his upcoming new
book and the implications they have for major
events facing the nation tomorrow from 8-9:30
a.m. at the National Press Club.
Harwood
is a nationally recognized expert on public
life and politics. His recent book, which
becomes available next week, details
conversations spanning 15 years with groups of
ordinary Americans from across the country.
What he found is deeply disturbing and also
provides a great deal of context for current
issues facing the country.
Harwood has
found a nation struggling with growing
consumerism, distorted realities, and false
divisions that cut across cultural, political,
and media landscapes. The consequences of all
this is that people can no longer see or hear
themselves reflected in politics and public
life ó in fact, they feel as though their
realities are routinely distorted.
The
result is that people have retreated into
close-knit circles of families and friends,
where they see themselves more as consumers
than as citizens. They abhor this retreat, but
feel lost about what to do. Hope Unraveled: The
People's Retreat and Our Way Back, is published
by Kettering Foundation Press. Pre-orders can
be made by calling The Harwood Institute at
301-656-3669. To register for the breakfast,
please contact Mike Wood at the same number or
through e-mail at http://dev.theharwoodinstitute.org/media/mwood@theharwoodinstitute.org.