Drawing data from crises like FEMA's tragic failure in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he demonstrates the increasingly complex nature of the problems our government must solve and the failings of its current approach. Based on the surprising successes of key officials in crisis situations, Kettl envisions a legion of leaders who run government they way that rocket scientists launch rockets--with strong leadership focused on objectives, held accountable for performance, and linked effectively to citizens so that it acts decisively for the public good. This book is a guide to the problems that ail our government and a road map for their solution.

Preeminent public policy expert Donald F. Kettl is the director of the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of many books. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.