A Kind of Genius: Herb Sturtz and Society's Toughest Problems: 0 - Hardcover

Library Journal, 3/1 "In what is both a biography and an appreciation of his subject's achievement, Roberts...brings our attention to a pioneer of social entrepreneurship....The influences of pragmatism, his father's unconditional love, a bout with polio at an early age, a letter from John Steinbeck, and a profound respect for the Bill of Rights--all helped shape Sturz, depicted as an admirable, humble, idealistic realist (if you will), an average man intent on tirelessly championing civil rights and liberties. Also notable here is the in-depth analysis of the numerous social programs Sturz created. Recommended for public and undergraduate libraries, especially with collections in social-service entrepreneurship"executive editor Mark Schmitt, American Prospect, 3/20 "The book catches the feel of governance over a long era in New York and how a single visionary could get one thing after another accomplished." Washington Post, 4/5 "Roberts does a fine job of showing how Sturz succeeded not only by having good ideas but also by appealing to 'government's enlightened self-interest.' Systems change when systems see a selfish reason to change. In our time of national transformation, it's a valuable lesson." "Library Journal," 3/1 "In what is both a biography and an appreciation of his subject's achievement, Roberts...brings our attention to a pioneer of social entrepreneurship....The influences of pragmatism, his father's unconditional love, a bout with polio at an early age, a letter from John Steinbeck, and a profound respect for the Bill of Rights--all helped shape Sturz, depicted as an admirable, humble, idealistic realist (if you will), an average man intent on tirelessly championing civil rights and liberties. Also notable here is the in-depth analysis of the numerous social programs Sturz created. Recommended for public and undergraduate libraries, especially with collections in social-service entrepreneurship"executive editor Mark Schmitt, "American Prospect," 3/20 "The book catches the feel of governance over a long era in New York and how a single visionary could get one thing after another accomplished." "Washington Post," 4/5 "Roberts does a fine job of showing how Sturz succeeded not only by having good ideas but also by appealing to 'government's enlightened self-interest.' Systems change when systems see a selfish reason to change. In our time of national transformation, it's a valuable lesson." Joe Conason, "New York Times Book Review" "[An] engaging book...the "genius" that Sturz used to help [the underprivileged of the city]...relied as much on personal virtue as on penetrating intellect. Now 78 years old, he remains enormously determined and almost ridiculously confident, yet self-effacing and ready to relignquish control of his own projects. He is zealous and visionary yet highly practical, and seemingly immune to the usual temptations of empire building.....Perhaps, as President Obama suggested recently, the critical factor in creating change is persistence. Keeping faith for half a century is a kind of genius, too." "Library Journal", 3/1 "In what is both a biography and an appreciation of his subject's achievement, Roberts...brings our attention to a pioneer of social entrepreneurship....The influences of pragmatism, his father's unconditional love, a bout with polio at an early age, a letter from John Steinbeck, and a profound respect for the Bill of Rights--all helped shape Sturz, depicted as an admirable, humble, idealistic realist (if you will), an average man intent on tirelessly championing civil rights and liberties. Also notable here is the in-depth analysis of the numerous social programs Sturz created. Recommended for public and undergraduate libraries, especially with collections in social-service entrepreneurship"executive editor Mark Schmitt, "American Prospect", 3/20 "The book catches the feel of governance over a long era in New York and how a single visionary could get one thing after another accomplished." "Washington Post", 4/5 "Roberts does a fine job of showing how Sturz succeeded not only by having good ideas but also by appealing to 'government's enlightened self-interest.' Systems change when systems see a selfish reason to change. In our time of national transformation, it's a valuable lesson." Joe Conason, "New York Times Book Review" "[An] engaging book...the "genius" that Sturz used to help [the underprivileged of the city]...relied as much on personal virtue as on penetrating intellect. Now 78 years old, he remains enormously determined and almost ridiculously confident, yet self-effacing and ready to relignquish control of his own projects. He is zealous and visionary yet highly practical, and seemingly immune to the usual temptations of empire building.....Perhaps, as President Obama suggested recently, the critical factor in creating change is persistence. Keeping faith for half a century is a kind of genius, too."

In A Kind of Genius, Sam Roberts offers a window onto Herb Sturzs extraordinary lifes work. Sturz began his long career in social entrepreneurship by reforming the bail system and founding the Vera Institute of Justice. He served as New York Citys Deputy Mayor for Criminal Justice under Ed Koch and then as Chairman of the City Planning Commision. He moved on to establish affordable inner-city housing and programs for at-risk individuals. But Sturz has, to date, largely eschewed the publics eye. Roberts pays tribute to Sturzs inspirational legacy of accomplishment. His initiatives have consistently provided solutions to our most challenging problems. Here, for the first time, his astonishing story is told in full.