"An inoculation against politically motivated misinformation." 
—George Will, The Washington Post

"Strain sets a fine example in his short, approachable book. He shows that living standards have not stagnated in America. To the contrary, most prime-age workers today are better off than their parents were. There are real economic and social problems, which policymakers should address. But the economy is not rigged for all but those at the very top. One should hope his message is heard—and repeated—far and wide."
—William J. Luther, Independent Review​

 “[A] much-needed look at everything that’s going right in this country….People often fall into a belief that life was somehow better in the past. In The American Dream Is Not Dead, Michael Strain shows it wasn’t, while not denying that the U.S. faces real challenges even in our prosperous age. It’s a good gift for that pessimistic reactionary down the street.”—National Review

“Michael Strain’s book delivers a passionate defense that opportunity and meritocracy still exist in America.”
—The Adam Smith Institute​

“Michael Strain offers a trenchant look at U.S. households' material standard of living. If his message were summarized on a hat, it would read ‘Make America Grateful Again.’”
—N. Gregory Mankiw, Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics, Harvard University and former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

“Michael Strain’s important book is a welcome antidote to the pervasive pessimism surrounding economic policy debates.  I don’t agree on everything but feel better after reading it about our economy and more importantly, about how policy can make it better.”
—Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor, Harvard University and former Secretary of the Treasury

"Without glossing over the real challenges that too many Americans face, Michael Strain makes a persuasive case that the American dream remains alive and well. And, he provides important policy recommendations that policymakers would do well to heed in order to strengthen the American dream."
—Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House of Representatives

“In this important book, Mike Strain persuasively bolsters his title claim that ‘the American Dream is not dead.’  While the nation faces disruptive challenges from economic changes from trade and technology, those very changes help propel our prosperity. What could kill the American Dream, as Strain notes, is a populist call for protection. Every serious student of the current economic and political situation should read this book.”
—Glenn Hubbard, dean emeritus and the Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics, Columbia Business School, and former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

“Before you declare the American Dream is dead, you should take the time to read Michael Strain’s case to the contrary. Strain provides a thoughtful and balanced assessment of the evidence on the state of American workers and families, rejecting some of the claims from both the left and the right.”
—Jason Furman, professor of practice, Harvard Kennedy School and former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

“Michael Strain is one of the keenest economists at work on the center-right today. In this brief but important book, he dares to bring facts to the overheated and often poorly informed debate over the state of the American Dream. Engaging and convincing, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand our economic present—and future.”
—Rich Lowry, editor of National Review

“In this lively contribution to our national debate, Michael Strain presents the evidence for how Americans are really doing. Strain shows we're faring better than you'd think from doom-sayers of left and right. He also argues that misunderstanding our real situation could lead to foolish and damaging policies that would make things worse, not better. An important short book.”
—William Kristol, director, Defending Democracy Together
 
"We have a bad news bias. Frequently, however, that creates an inaccurate picture of the world. In The American Dream Is Not Dead, Michael Strain shows that while there are very real challenges ahead of us as a country, Americans are living in the best, most prosperous time in our nation’s history. This book shows that hope and truth go together."
—Arthur C. Brooks, professor of practice, Harvard Kennedy School & Arthur C. Patterson Faculty Fellow, Harvard Business School