Mark Gerzon - The Reunited States of America: how we can bridge the partisan divide

More Praise for The Reunited States of America

In this brilliant and practical manifesto, Mark Gerzon shows us why and how to work together for the good of the nation.

William Ury, coauthor of Getting to Yes and cofounder of the Harvard Negotiation Project

The Reunited States of America is a primer on citizenship. Read it with curiosity about how you make a difference.

Debilyn Molineaux, President, Coffee Party USA

This book helps us find our way back to the spirit of America.

Danl Lewin, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft

Mark Gerzons clear and insightful book plugs a gaping hole in the boat of our democracy. He explains how and why we have crashed into the shoals of partisan rocks and provides a compelling case for how to right the sails and navigate our way back to greatness.

Mark McKinnon, cofounder of No Labels and former chief media advisor to President George W. Bush

Because of his passion for democracy, Mark Gerzon identifies the uncomfortable challenges that we have to confront in order to change the culture of politics.

Jacqueline S. Salit, President, IndependentVoting.org

There are lots of reasons to feel bad about national politics. Mark Gerzon provides some well-thought-out, reality-based reasons to feel betterif were willing to take the necessary steps. This is a realistically positive and useful book.

James Fallows, national correspondent, The Atlantic

This is why Gerzons book is so important: it offers us visions, practices, maps, and models to help us light our path forward.

Michael D. Ostrolenk, cofounder of the Liberty Coalition

The Reunited States of America is a must-reada path-finding book that will appeal to everybody regardless of political persuasion.

David Williams, President, Taxpayers Protection Alliance

As a millennial Im fed up with the manipulation of both parties, and my generation has been hungry for something beyond complaining and protesting. I welcome The Reunited States of America with gusto because it finally leads us toward real problem solving.

Erik Fogg, coauthor of Wedged

Mark Gerzon, one of the leading mediators of our time, draws on decades of experience in this book to illuminate a pathway out of what may be the countrys single greatest problem today: the extreme partisanship and disrespect that has made it almost impossible for Americans to work together.

David Bornstein, author of How to Change the World

In our civic engagement work, we focus on building authentic relationships between people who vote and think differently than each othera surprisingly unique proposition in todays fractured political culture. We can hold our convictions while appreciating other views. Gerzon illustrates that hyperpartisanship is not patriotism. Loving our country demands independent thinkers willing to move forward together. Mark Gerzon shows us that this does not make us vulnerable. It makes us stronger.

Michele Holt-Shannon, Associate Director, New Hampshire Listens, Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire

Because we are paralyzed by polarization and attack politics, many of us feel we have lost our way as a country. Gerzons book is the exciting opening chapter as we, the American people, begin to find our way back. Read it: for your children, for the rest of usfor yourself.

Peter C. Goldmark, Jr., former President, The Rockefeller Foundation

The Reunited States of America, for the first time in recent memory, offers our country a sorely needed third narrative. Narratives #1 and #2 say, Join our side and well fix it. Narrative #3 says, Its going to take all of us working together to fix it.

John Steiner, cofounder of The Bridge Alliance and Citizen Summit 2016

Mark Gerzon offers us the clearest diagnosis yet of the disease of hyperpartisanship that afflicts American democracy as well as the necessary cure. He brilliantly illuminates our path forward into healed relationships and healthy democracy by focusing on inspiring tales of breakthrough success and how they happened. Its a heartwarming antidote to cynicism, polarization, and apathy, as well as a clarion call for us to embrace our entire American family.

Stephen Dinan, CEO, The Shift Network, and author of Sacred America

THE
REUNITED
STATES OF
AMERICA

THE
REUNITED
STATES OF
AMERICA

HOW WE CAN BRIDGE
THE PARTISAN DIVIDE

MARK GERZON

The Reunited States of America

Copyright 2016 by Mark Gerzon

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

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Oakland, CA 94612-1921

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Ordering information for print editions

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First Edition

Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-62656-658-3

PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-62656-659-0

IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-62656-660-6

2016-1

Interior design: Laura Lind Design. Edit: Elissa Rabellino. Cover design: Ian Koviak/The Book Designers. Index: Paula C. Durbin-Westby. Production service: Linda Jupiter Productions. Proofread: Henrietta Bensussen.

This book is dedicated to those who are working across the partisan divide to reunite America.

All of the authors proceeds from this book will be donated to support their message and their mission.

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