Former Democratic U.S. Senator, Bill Bradley offers candid political insight in his new book The New American Story (Random House, April 2007).

Bradley served three consecutive terms in the U.S. Senate from New Jersey following elections in 1978, 1984, and 1990. Before entering politics he had a ten year career playing basketball with the New York Knicks. He is an Olympic Gold Medalist and has written five other books including the two bestsellers, Time Present, Time Past, and Values of the Game. He is currently the managing director at Allen & Company LLC, New York (a prestigious financing and investment company), and does not call himself a “practicing politician.�

Bradley is the type of writer that any reader could enjoy and comprehend without watering down the content of his book. This 350 page work is easily accessible to people inexperienced with political writing and with limited understanding of modern politics.

The New American Story is comprised of both far-reaching dreams and common sense solutions. Suggestions like buying more fuel efficient cars are found next to more radical ideas like requiring two years of public service for every citizen before reaching the age of 25. (One easily speculates that because he is not currently serving in a political office, he may now have greater freedom to express more drastic ideas without the same degree of political backlash as he might have experienced while serving in the senate.)

“Bipartisan cooperation� is the most essential theme to The New American Story. Although it is something easier said than done (and has unfortunately become a political cliché) Bradley emphasizes the reality of this ideal to the future of politics.

“Ultimately, politics is not about one party beating the other but about listening to the American people enough to know what policy changes will command bipartisan support over the long run.�

In addition to the policy issues addressed early on in the book, Bradley speaks tactfully about other subjects that muddy the waters of Americans politics: the outrageous cost of campaigning and negative affects it has on democracy, dishonest “spin� used by the media when reporting (to make more exciting news broadcasts), the responsibility of citizens to be more involved in a “globalized� future, and the disappointing and dangerously low numbers of voter turnout.

Another highlight of The New American Story is the ‘gloves-off’ honesty Bradley has when critiquing the faults of both parties while maintaining his voice as a Democrat. He pulls no punches when addressing the shortcomings of his own party and seems to genuinely be concerned with America’s future rather than a partisan agenda.

This book is quality reading for anyone who does not fit in with polarized politics and who hopes for better next November.

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