Includes bibliographical references (pages 385-423) and index.

Award-winning author Peter D. Kiernan focuses on America's greatest challenge--and opportunity--restoring the middle class to its full promise and potential. Our educated, skilled, and motivated middle class was the cornerstone of America's postwar economic might, but the country's dynamic core has struggled and changed dramatically through the last three decades. Kiernan's extensively researched story, told through individual histories, shows how the middle class flourished under unique circumstances following World War II and details how our middle class has been rocked and shaped by events abroad as much as at home. Through his storytelling emerges a picture of middle-class decline and opportunity that is fuller and more useful than other examinations in terms of charting a path forward. His unique global perspective is a vital ingredient in charting the way ahead. This new frontier thesis shows that middle-class greatness is again within our grasp. Americans must embrace what brought our middle class to prominence in the first place--our American Mojo--before it is too late and other countries steal the march.--From publisher description.