Marketcrafters

 “Timely . . . Crucial . . . This should be Project 2029 for the Democrats!” —Jon Stewart

“A trenchant study . . . Hughes complements his remarkably unstuffy economic discussions with fine-grained character portraits, as when he traces Lina Khan’s transformation from a brilliant but self-doubting Yale law student into a bold antimonopoly crusader as chair of the Federal Trade Commission under Joe Biden. It adds up to a vigorous defense of economic regulation.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Timely, absorbing, and urgent, this deeply researched story will change how you think about the relationship between policy and markets in our time.” —Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation

“A lucid refutation of libertarian economics in the service of the public interest . . . [written] in clear and nontechnical language.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Chris Hughes reminds us how America's economic success didn't emerge from absenteeism from policymakers. Instead he helps us to see how the public played a key role in shaping and spurring competitive markets.” —Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

“A thoughtful, narrative examination of the political economy of the past century, and the invisible hands that shape the invisible hand.” —Cathy Rampell, Washington Post columnist and CNN commentator

“In an era of dramatic inequality and instability, it is more crucial than ever to restructure our economy to advance the common good. In this compelling and timely book, Hughes brings to the forefront the leaders, thinkers, and high-stakes moments that shaped our political economy at key points throughout modern American history. The result is an essential book that brings back to the fore a set of policy tools and an intellectual tradition that will be increasingly needed in the years ahead.” —Sabeel Rahman, coauthor of Civic Power: Rebuilding American Democracy in an Era of Crisis

“Marketcrafters is a genuinely riveting economic history, peopled by figures both larger than life and as familiar as your neighbors. It will reshape how you think about the 20th century.” —Zachary Carter, author of The Price of Peace

“Shattering the artificial dichotomy between the free market and government intervention, Chris Hughes’s fascinating history shows us that most of the time the in-between is what matters. This book provides an eye-opening history of the ‘marketcrafters’ who harnessed government investment and regulation to the benefit of the economic health of the nation. Names who many readers might not be familiar with—Jesse Jones, Bill Martin, Andrew Brimmer, and Katherine Ellickson—were forgotten architects of the American Century. Hughes brings each character to life. While their overall record is mixed, the model they established for nurturing government-market relations was an enduring component to the most dynamic periods of American economic growth. With a historian’s eye toward the past, Hughes points to a path forward as the United States continues to mobilize in order to compete within the modern economy.” —Julian Zelizer, Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University

Praise for Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn

“The American Dream is slipping away—too many people are working too hard and they’re still sinking, not even able to cover the basic costs of living. Fair Shot offers a new tool for economic mobility: a guaranteed income to all working people—even those whose work hasn’t been recognized or compensated with income before.” —Arianna Huffington

“If we are to be true to the principles of our nation’s founding, opportunity cannot be solely the province of the wealthy and well-connected. Yet the promise that if you work hard you can get ahead is broken for millions of Americans. As we strive to build a fairer, more inclusive country, Fair Shot is a very important read. These ideas must be part of the conversation as we consider how best to ensure the American Dream is available to all. This mission of securing the dream for all presents an urgency for every American; the strength and future of our nation depend on our success.” —Senator Cory Booker

“America was never a meritocracy, but the belief that it was fueled the American Dream and maintained social peace. Now the gig is up. Massive wealth is in the hands of a small number of people lucky enough to have been at the right places and times to grab it, while most Americans are going nowhere and can't even rely on a steady income. What’s the answer? In this thoughtful book, Chris Hughes—one of the lucky ones—explains why we need a guaranteed income, and how his life experiences have brought him to this conclusion. He makes a powerful and compelling argument that should be at the center of the national economic debate.” —Robert Reich, former US Secretary of Labor and author of the national bestseller Saving Capitalism

“Deeply felt and cogently argued . . . Hughes makes a powerful case that deserves a respectful hearing.” —The Financial Times