Books by Karl Zinsmeister
Backbone: Maverick essays in praise of middle America
—Why American Populism Should Be Welcomed, Not Feared
Karl's latest book, released in the early days of 2025, asks the timely question, "Is American populism something to fear, or something to welcome?" Ranging across the country to talk with everyday people and observe their daily lives, he uncovers deep reservoirs of common sense, decency, and wisdom. Ordinary citizens, he concludes, will generally be much better and fairer arbiters of big national questions than any elite class of "experts." That judgment is backed with strong empirical evidence and trenchant arguments from history. Today's ruling caste has so seriously blundered in matters of economics, public health, foreign affairs, education, personal identity, cultural values, and Constitutional freedoms, Zinsmeister observes, that today's popular rebellion should be embraced as a necessary corrective to managerial coercion from above.
* Amazon page * Press release & book description
—Why American Populism Should Be Welcomed, Not Feared
Karl's latest book, released in the early days of 2025, asks the timely question, "Is American populism something to fear, or something to welcome?" Ranging across the country to talk with everyday people and observe their daily lives, he uncovers deep reservoirs of common sense, decency, and wisdom. Ordinary citizens, he concludes, will generally be much better and fairer arbiters of big national questions than any elite class of "experts." That judgment is backed with strong empirical evidence and trenchant arguments from history. Today's ruling caste has so seriously blundered in matters of economics, public health, foreign affairs, education, personal identity, cultural values, and Constitutional freedoms, Zinsmeister observes, that today's popular rebellion should be embraced as a necessary corrective to managerial coercion from above.
* Amazon page * Press release & book description
The Brothers
A true-life saga of the remarkable family who made us free
This fascinating re-creation tells the lost true story of three brothers who turned America against slavery for the first time. During the Jacksonian era when our politics were harshly partisan, ferociously personal, and often gridlocked, these men pioneered new ways of solving national problems through mass-persuasion campaigns, courtroom battles, religious appeals, and skillful culture change. Set in an emerging New York City, the story churns through the making of great fortunes, frontier explorations, grand sea voyages, shocking urban riots, slave escapes, legal dramas, a stunning fire, duplicity in Washington, and searing personal loss. This historical tale transports readers to a national moment with much relevance for contemporary America.
* Amazon page
* book website
A true-life saga of the remarkable family who made us free
This fascinating re-creation tells the lost true story of three brothers who turned America against slavery for the first time. During the Jacksonian era when our politics were harshly partisan, ferociously personal, and often gridlocked, these men pioneered new ways of solving national problems through mass-persuasion campaigns, courtroom battles, religious appeals, and skillful culture change. Set in an emerging New York City, the story churns through the making of great fortunes, frontier explorations, grand sea voyages, shocking urban riots, slave escapes, legal dramas, a stunning fire, duplicity in Washington, and searing personal loss. This historical tale transports readers to a national moment with much relevance for contemporary America.
* Amazon page
* book website
The Almanac of American Philanthropy
The authoritative reference work on private giving in the U.S.—and our nation's long tradition of using charitable resources to solve public problems.
Micro Aid
How America can best China & Russia by healing fractured hotspots
An embedded report from conflict zones in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
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Craftsmen on a Mission
The brothers who invented the American home A fascinating and lavishly illustrated short history of how the Stickley brothers created the Arts & Crafts movement, Mission furniture, and the Craftsman home —generating the first distinctively American style, and ushering in the look and feel of our modern homes.
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"Birds of Character" children's books A series of illustrated character fables for children, starring North American birds. The birds lightly model personal virtues, and each volume brings to life a particular U.S. geography displaying diverse qualities of nature. |
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Finger Lakes Feast
A storytelling cookbook with easy, scrumptious recipes & gorgeous photos.
- New York Times review
- Amazon page
- the book's Web site (FingerLakesFeast.com)
- some other reviews
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What Comes Next? How private givers can rescue America in an era of political frustration |
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From Promising to Proven
The rise of charter schools as a solution to U.S. school problems. |
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Agenda Setting
How philanthropy can change public policy.
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