Books with author Ben Goldstein

* Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year * Winner of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize​ * 800-CEO-READ Business Book of the Year * A New York Times Notable Book * A Washington Post Notable Book * An NPR Best Book of 2017 * A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2017 * An Economist Best Book of 2017 * A Business Insider Best Book of 2017 * “A gripping story of psychological defeat and resilience” (Bob Woodward, The Washington Post)—an intimate account of the fallout from the closing of a General Motors assembly plant in Janesville, Wisconsin, and a larger story of the hollowing of the American middle class.This is the story of what happens to an industrial town in the American heartland when its main factory shuts down—but it’s not the familiar tale. Most observers record the immediate shock of vanished jobs, but few stay around long enough to notice what happens next when a community with a can-do spirit tries to pick itself up. Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter Amy Goldstein spent years immersed in Janesville, Wisconsin, where the nation’s oldest operating General Motors assembly plant shut down in the midst of the Great Recession. Now, with intelligence, sympathy, and insight into what connects and divides people in an era of economic upheaval, Goldstein shows the consequences of one of America’s biggest political issues. Her reporting takes the reader deep into the lives of autoworkers, educators, bankers, politicians, and job re-trainers to show why it’s so hard in the twenty-first century to recreate a healthy, prosperous working class. “Moving and magnificently well-researched...Janesville joins a growing family of books about the evisceration of the working class in the United States. What sets it apart is the sophistication of its storytelling and analysis” (Jennifer Senior, The New York Times). “Anyone tempted to generalize about the American working class ought to meet the people in Janesville. The reporting behind this book is extraordinary and the story—a stark, heartbreaking reminder that political ideologies have real consequences—is told with rare sympathy and insight” (Tracy Kidder, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Soul of a New Machine).

* Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year * Winner of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize​ * 800-CEO-READ Business Book of the Year * A New York Times Notable Book * A Washington Post Notable Book * An NPR Best Book of 2017 * A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2017 * An Economist Best Book of 2017 * A Business Insider Best Book of 2017 * “A gripping story of psychological defeat and resilience” (Bob Woodward, The Washington Post)—an intimate account of the fallout from the closing of a General Motors assembly plant in Janesville, Wisconsin, and a larger story of the hollowing of the American middle class.This is the story of what happens to an industrial town in the American heartland when its main factory shuts down—but it’s not the familiar tale. Most observers record the immediate shock of vanished jobs, but few stay around long enough to notice what happens next when a community with a can-do spirit tries to pick itself up. Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter Amy Goldstein spent years immersed in Janesville, Wisconsin, where the nation’s oldest operating General Motors assembly plant shut down in the midst of the Great Recession. Now, with intelligence, sympathy, and insight into what connects and divides people in an era of economic upheaval, Goldstein shows the consequences of one of America’s biggest political issues. Her reporting takes the reader deep into the lives of autoworkers, educators, bankers, politicians, and job re-trainers to show why it’s so hard in the twenty-first century to recreate a healthy, prosperous working class. “Moving and magnificently well-researched...Janesville joins a growing family of books about the evisceration of the working class in the United States. What sets it apart is the sophistication of its storytelling and analysis” (Jennifer Senior, The New York Times). “Anyone tempted to generalize about the American working class ought to meet the people in Janesville. The reporting behind this book is extraordinary and the story—a stark, heartbreaking reminder that political ideologies have real consequences—is told with rare sympathy and insight” (Tracy Kidder, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Soul of a New Machine).

Looice (pronounced Lewis) in the Stargarden” is the third book in the new series of Looice books, songs and videos. Taken from the play “Looice for President” written by Ben Goldstein and Phillip Namanworth it was first presented at the Eugene O'Neill Conference, The Public Theater and ran for 10 years in repertory with The First All Children's Theater. The play is available directly from the authors under the title "Looice for President".

* Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year * Winner of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize * 800-CEO-READ Business Book of the Year * A New York Times Notable Book * A Washington Post Notable Book * An NPR Best Book of 2017 * A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2017 * An Economist Best Book of 2017 * A Business Insider Best Book of 2017 * “Moving and magnificently well-researched...Janesville joins a growing family of books about the evisceration of the working class in the United States. What sets it apart is the sophistication of its storytelling and analysis.” —The New York Times A Washington Post reporter’s intimate account of the fallout from the closing of a General Motors’ assembly plant in Janesville, Wisconsin—Paul Ryan’s hometown—and a larger story of the hollowing of the American middle class.This is the story of what happens to an industrial town in the American heartland when its factory stills—but it’s not the familiar tale. Most observers record the immediate shock of vanished jobs, but few stay around long enough to notice what happens next, when a community with a can-do spirit tries to pick itself up. Pulitzer Prize winner Amy Goldstein has spent years immersed in Janesville, Wisconsin where the nation’s oldest operating General Motors plant shut down in the midst of the Great Recession, two days before Christmas of 2008. Now, with intelligence, sympathy, and insight into what connects and divides people in an era of economic upheaval, she makes one of America’s biggest political issues human. Her reporting takes the reader deep into the lives of autoworkers, educators, bankers, politicians, and job re-trainers to show why it’s so hard in the twenty-first century to recreate a healthy, prosperous working class. For this is not just a Janesville story or a Midwestern story. It’s an American story.

Star Child, written in a fairy tale genre similar to The Little Prince and The Alchemist is a book for young and mature adults. It explores in a simple and poetic way the challenges facing two “star children,” Terra and Marius, on their journey to learn about being human. Set in a faraway time and place, they confront the same problems of modern humans: fear, loneliness, the need to please, and the stigma of showing their true selves when they do not fit in with those around them. Betraying their own hearts, each gives up or misuses the very things that make them unique. On their magical journey to find themselves and each other, they encounter wise teachers in the creatures of the sea and earth, the trees of the forest, and the elders of their world.EXCERPTSEARTHShe stood in the waving green meadow and took it all in: the stalks of grass moving in the curved palm of the wind; the gentle hum of a wayward bee easing first away, then closer to touch her; the amber of the sun’s bright globe painting her face and arms; the taste of lavender in the air slipping past her lips and melting on her tongue. And she felt such joy that every part of her being filled up, and being filled, welled over as tears. The star child had planted herself in this earth meadow seven winters earlier, the soul-seed of a dying star burning its path through a midnight sky. Only the sparrows and cottontails, fooled from their sleep by the brilliant light, witnessed the last hiss of steam and the fading glow of the crystal as it slipped beneath the silver snow carpet.The child tugged her feet from the grip of the moist earth. Her skin was translucent, like the pale roots of a plant. The blue lines of her veins decorated her wrists and arms and at her temple where her red hair began its twisting journey to her waist. Meadow flowers circled her head and trailed down each shoulder. Her garment was all shades of light, changing in the sun and shadows so that one moment it appeared torn from a sunset and in the next as rippling sea foam.SEAThe dolphins circled the glowing crystal and followed until it came to rest upon the white sand of the ocean bottom. With their tails, they spun a seaweed cradle. They sang songs of cresting waves, the moonlit dance of foam, lullabies in the endless rhythm of the sea. They kept watch over their treasure, transfixed by its gentle rhythmic currents stroking their skin. The dolphins brought gifts of coral and scallops, pearls and tortoiseshell and sea-worn glass in pastel hues as they waited through the tidal seasons. A child grew there in the ocean bed, taking his colors from his watery womb, the brown of driftwood to his hair and the green of sea moss and luminous plankton to color his eyes. The coral and gray of beach rocks and shells burnished his skin. He wore an iridescent garment that shimmered like sea spray in the sun. A ring of shell and sea glass graced his neck...

* Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year * Winner of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize * 800-CEO-READ Business Book of the Year * A New York Times Notable Book * A Washington Post Notable Book * An NPR Best Book of 2017 * A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2017 * An Economist Best Book of 2017 * A Business Insider Best Book of 2017 * “Moving and magnificently well-researched...Janesville joins a growing family of books about the evisceration of the working class in the United States. What sets it apart is the sophistication of its storytelling and analysis.” --The New York Times A Washington Post reporter’s intimate account of the fallout from the closing of a General Motors’ assembly plant in Janesville, Wisconsin--Paul Ryan’s hometown--and a larger story of the hollowing of the American middle class.This is the story of what happens to an industrial town in the American heartland when its factory stills--but it’s not the familiar tale. Most observers record the immediate shock of vanished jobs, but few stay around long enough to notice what happens next, when a community with a can-do spirit tries to pick itself up. Pulitzer Prize winner Amy Goldstein has spent years immersed in Janesville, Wisconsin where the nation’s oldest operating General Motors plant shut down in the midst of the Great Recession, two days before Christmas of 2008. Now, with intelligence, sympathy, and insight into what connects and divides people in an era of economic upheaval, she makes one of America’s biggest political issues human. Her reporting takes the reader deep into the lives of autoworkers, educators, bankers, politicians, and job re-trainers to show why it’s so hard in the twenty-first century to recreate a healthy, prosperous working class. For this is not just a Janesville story or a Midwestern story. It’s an American story.

A NEW AGE OF MAGIC HAS ARRIVEDOn the heels of their first adventure, the Mythfits discover that there are even more magical and mysterious events in store for them.Born on the evening of the Harmonic Convergence, the Mythfits are a group of children who are really mythological creatures (unicorn, faun, harpy, mermaid and dragon) cloaked in the guise of human children. When Norma, a human child, discovers their secret, events begin to accelerate and other young Mythfits are drawn to the group.While their mentor, Ms. Link, confronts a mysterious coven with ties to her past, the Mythfits reach out to help others come to terms with their supernatural abilities. But will these special children be able to work together and bring harmony to the world?

Imagine two mystical and mysterious beings descend from the heavens. What could their journey on earth possibly teach us? Only what it means to be truly human. And that is the greatest lesson of all. -- Meredith Vieira, television journalist. Terra and Marius are star children, heavenly beings who come to earth with all their special wisdom and powers to live as human beings in a faraway time and place. They face the challenges of fear, loneliness, the need to please, and the stigma of showing their true selves when they do not fit in with those around them. Betraying their own hearts, each gives up or misuses the very things that make them unique. As they seek a return to their true selves, Terra must find the courage to offer her healing gifts to others, and Marius must learn how to live again with an open heart in a world that is often cruel to those most sensitive. Along the way, they encounter wise teachers in the creatures of the sea and earth, the trees of the forest, and the elders of their world. In this universal and touching tale of love and loss, young adults and old souls will treasure their encounter with the star children on their magical journey back to themselves and each other.

On the heels of their last exciting adventure in A Spell of Nine, the Mythfits begin the harrowing search for others of their kind. Not all of the creatures of magic want to be found. But matters get more complicated when Klopps, Erebos and the other villains, escape imprisonment from the mysterious brownstone. How does the Wand of Amergin, an artifact of ancient magic, come to play in a grand battle for power?

When Arden's family relocates to a new area, Arden is forced to leave her friends. Lonely, Arden wishes for someone to play with. She thinks her wish may be granted when her family receives a huge cardboard box. Arden uses the box to take her on wild adventures. Curious about the big box, children from her new neighborhood knock on Arden's front door to meet their new neighbor. She uses her magic adventure box as a way to make friends, until the box gets ruined. Arden thinks that she has nothing else to offer the other kids in the way of friendship, but she finds out she does.