Why people recommend it
Back from the Brink by Peter Moskos is a narrative nonfiction account detailing the dramatic decline in crime rates experienced in New York City throughout the 1990s. During an appearance on The Ezra Klein Show for the episode titled What is DOGE’s Real Goal?, broadcast on March 25, 2025, guest Santi Ruiz recommended the book as a prime illustration of effective governance and state capacity. Ruiz praised the publication for relying on an extensive oral history approach, noting that the author directly interviewed nearly every surviving key participant capable of discussing the era. By gathering these firsthand accounts, the book constructs a fascinating story about how government institutions can successfully execute complex initiatives and solve seemingly intractable societal problems. Ruiz emphasized to the listening audience that the title serves not only as a localized historical record of urban policing and public safety turnaround but also as a broader lesson regarding the practical mechanics of administrative competence and institutional capability.
Who recommended it
- Santi Ruiz Recommended
Santi Ruiz — 1 mention
“it's called back from the brink and it's the story of the '90s crime decline in New York City he did a fantastic oral history talked to basically everybody who's still alive and able to discuss it um and it's a fantastic story both about State capacity about how do you actually do something that you want the federal government”