So Much to Do: A Full Life of Business, Politics, and Confronting Fiscal Crises

(Hardback)

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Description

For decades, Richard Ravitch has been a major presence in pivotal aspects of New York's politics and business life. In this fascinating memoir he brings together the stories of what he did and saw, explains the lessons he learned, and makes us see why so many of them are relevant to the serious fiscal problems facing cities and states across the nation.

Reviews

Wall Street Journal "Mr. Ravitch's recommended solutions to the fiscal problems of America's cities--government transparency and public education--are elusive. But the rest of the country would doubtless benefit from having more scrupulous civic leaders like Mr. Ravitch." New York Times "So Much to Do gracefully synthesizes a serendipitous memoir illustrating the education of a public man; an enlightening, prescriptive citizen's manual into making government work; and a passionate 'ode to democracy' (as Mr. Ravitch's friend Paul A. Volcker calls it in his blurb on the back cover) into a remarkably accessible book." New York Post "He could have called it "Love Story," and the title would have been faithful to its theme. The book by Dick Ravitch, "So Much to Do," is the story of his love affair with public service... a delightful and insightful journey through a life of business, politics and emergencies...Fortunately, the book arrives as a new generation of leaders exhibits a shaky understanding of what fiscal prudence means, and the dangers of ignoring it. The book ought to be required reading by the new team at City Hall before it is too late." Weekly Standard "Richard Ravitch is an extraordinary man. He's an intelligent, indefatigable, honest, honorable, accessible, and personable fellow who, for 45 years, has played a key role in rescuing New York's jerrybuilt fiscal structure from its own failings. Yes, that's my personal opinion of the man who has just written this autobiography, aptly titled So Much to Do; but it's an opinion broadly shared by New Yorkers caught up in the political life of the city and state over nearly half of a century." New York Times, DealBook, column by Andrew Ross Sorkin "This last book has flown under the radar but deserves to be highlighted as simply a delightful memoir...It is a small book, but it is filled with great stories and lessons about state government, New York City and the influence of money in politics and life." Detriot Free Press "For hints and striking parallels to the current drama in Detroit...So Much to Do: A Full Life of Business, Politics, and Confronting Fiscal Crises-- is chock-full of insider tales of the wrangling among politicians, powerful Wall Street financiers and labor unions in New York." City Journal "We need more public servants like Richard Ravitch... as Ravitch's career shows, even seemingly dire problems can be solved through grit, intelligence, and good faith."

Author Bio

Richard Ravitch has been chairman of the New York State Urban Development Corporation, chairman of HRH Construction Corporation, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, chairman of the Bowery Savings Bank, lieutenant governor of the State of New York, and co-chair, with Paul Volcker, of the task force on the state budget crisis. He lives in New York City.