Caught in the Middle: America's Heartland in the Age of Globalism - Hardcover

Now a fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Richard C. Longworth was formerly an award-winning foreign correspondent and senior writer at the Chicago Tribune. His previous book, Global Squeeze, was lauded by Foreign Affairs as "an engrossing study of how advanced societies grapple with the disruptive forces of global markets." Twice a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Longworth lives in Chicago.

“One place in America that nobody can accuse of being unaware of China's economic ascent is the heartland--the industrial region that formed the center of the 20th century's most dynamic and innovative economy, but now is synonymous with unemployed workers and foreclosed houses. Former foreign correspondent Longworth's gloomy assessment of the prospects of a region that has been one of globalization's clear losers is harsh. But while his tale of the failures of complacent workers, inept managers and clueless politicians to confront global competition takes place firmly in the nation's interior, he offers little reason for those living elsewhere to feel insulated from similar threats.” ―John Sparks, Newsweek

“A passionate, probing and painfully honest book.” ―Jonathan Eig, Wall Street Journal

“A superb analysis of the crisis in the Midwest and sober advice on how to alleviate, if not eliminate, the region's pain. Moreover, he captures the flavor of the Midwest today, the nuevo Midwest -- replete with immigrants, urban/suburban/rural ghettos, hollowed-out cities, abandoned small towns, failing schools and feckless politicians. But it is still breathing and not without assets -- rich farmland, a plethora of fresh water, agricultural and industrial expertise and excellent research universities -- and a few success stories, a reborn Chicago, most notably....Caught in the Middle provides a brilliant battle plan.” ―Peter A. Coclanis, Chicago Tribune

“But Longworth's book should be of interest even to those who have never come closer to America's heartland than to change planes at O'Hare. Almost any chapter of "Caught in the Middle" could generate a book's worth of debate anywhere in this country: What's to become of higher ed - or K-12 ed for that matter. The structure of state and local government as an impediment to remaking the economy. The role of immigration. The future of agriculture. The future of small towns not close enough to a metropolitan area to serve as bedroom communities.” ―Bill Virgin, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“The author has performed a public service by detailing the problem areas - farming, ethanol production, the loss of manufacturing, immigration and so on - that are challenging the citizens and their offspring in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. We who think we've got it so good out here, far from the craziness of the East and West coasts, need to be shaken from our indifferent state of mind. Longworth makes a valiant stab at that.” ―Repps Hudson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch