Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community (Hardcover)

~ Ron Fournier (Author), Douglas B. Sosnik (Author), Matthew J. Dowd (Author)
Key Phrases: megachurch leaders, selling swimsuits, exurban voters, President Bush, President Clinton, Gut Values Connection (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Anyone wondering what that "values" buzz after the 2004 election was about, and what it means for business, religion and politics, will find solid answers in this analysis by a former Clinton aide, one of the masterminds behind the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign and a senior Associated Press political correspondent. In a unified, third-person voice, the three declare their intention to "help twenty-first-century American leaders think anew about the people they serve—a people that, despite an increasingly multiracial society, "seem to be seeking more homogeneity in their lifestyle choices." Since the 1990s, they argue, the key to winning the hearts, dollars and votes of the American public and its leaders is appealing to "the three C's, connections, community, and civic engagement." Drawing on interviews with the middle class "exurb" residents who eat at Applebee's restaurants, as well as their own inside knowledge, the authors declare that the pattern holds across the greater part of the American spectrum. Though their narrow interview sample is a weakness, they draw conclusions about the political arena, where lifelong Democrats voted for Bush in 2004 on "gut instinct"; the business world, where customers at the more than 1,700 Applebee's restaurants deem it "a second home"; and in megachurches, which fulfill Americans "need for belonging and purpose in a new century." Illus. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Sosnik, a former advisor to President Clinton; Matthew Dowd, a Republican strategist and advisor to President Bush; and Ron Fournier, a nonpartisan political writer, bring their diverse perspectives to an analysis of successful people who have adapted to a fast-changing American culture. They focus primarily on Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush; Lloyd Hill, founder of Applebee's restaurant chain; and Rick Warren, founder of a mega church in California and author of The Purpose Driven Church (1995). All of the success stories have in common the elements of desire to help community, make connections with clients, and find a higher purpose in life. The second part of the book looks at broad social changes that are compelling leaders in all areas to "adapt or perish." Interviews with regular Americans are interspersed with success profiles to offer a consensus that "gut values" are more compelling than strategies and tactics. The final chapter, looking toward the future, profiles "Generation 9-11," young people who were in high school or college when the terrorist attack on the U.S. occurred and are more optimistic, civic-minded, and politically active than most Americans, offering a decidedly optimistic prospect. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743287185
• ISBN-13: 978-0743287180
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #562,363 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money!, August 29, 2008

By	K. Ted Nohava "tnohava" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community (Paperback)

It's obvious with so few reviews written they were more than likely written by acquaintances of the authors. One particular author of this book sticks out in my mind as questionable and that would be Ron Fournier. I have read his journalistic diatribes in the past and as he is a reporter for the Associated Press, in my opinion he is less than impartial and more biased toward the liberal stance. It's one thing to publish the Truth but another to slant the Truth. This review in no way is intended to lessen the credibility of the other authors of the book as they may be sincere in their work and I'm not all that familiar with their other work.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Where Community Connects, January 15, 2007

By	Jonathan P. Vela (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I enjoyed this book overall. The Navigators were an especially compelling article included. It reminded me of DuBois and The Talented Tenth and that a few people often make decisions for the entire community. I especially liked the section on Generation 9/11. As a grad student I intend to study this generation and this gives me a great starting point. One of the things I disliked was the linking of church, community, restaurants and many other points that were not covered enough or should be covered with additional books. Each topic deserved more coverage but I understand why he was trying to link them all. It seemed a little cluttered. Overall it is a well written book and I am sure it will be assigned to participation classes in the future. I give a grade of B.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Developing a business plan? Read this book - and use a highlighter!, November 7, 2006

By	Patti Larsen (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Remembering that non-profit is a tax status, not a business plan, our chamber of commerce emphasized concepts discussed in "Applebee's America" during our organization's recent strategic planning work session with our 2007 leadership team. The result is a regional planning agenda for our 2,000 member organization that recognizes how people make choices - with their hearts, not their heads - and how to best create a sense of community. "Applebee's America" gives businessses and organizations new insights and strategies on how to better connect with their customers.
Patti J. Larsen - Vice President, Communications, The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce