Takes the position that US bureaucracy is neither a generalized failure not a sinkhole of waste as mythologized by anti-government ideologues. Rather, it is one of the most effective and innovative sets of administrative institutions of any government in the world today.

This latest work by highly regarded scholar of bureaucracy Charles T. Goodsell uses narrative essays and accompanying video profiles to brings to life the work and careers of individuals working for the common good in 12 essential jobs in all three levels of American government.