{"product_id":"9780807043486","title":"Going Public","description":"A New York city neighborhood once called “the beginning of the end of  civilization” is where Michael Gecan starts. Hired by residents to help  them save their community, he and local leaders spend more than a decade  wrestling New York politicians in an impassioned effort against all  odds that brings in five thousand new homes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom bad behavior  by Ed Koch to complicated negotiations with Rudy Giuliani, Gecan tells  the inside story of how the city really works, and how any organized  group of citizens can wield power in seemingly unmovable bureaucracies. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGecan’s  unwavering vision of the value of public action has roots in a rough  childhood in Chicago, where he witnessed extortion by the mob and a  tragic fire in his Catholic grade school that left ninety-two children  and three nuns dead. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn his inspiring story of the will to claim  the full benefits of citizenship, Gecan offers unforgettable lessons  that every American should know: What is the best way to talk to  politicians? What resources do all communities need to create change?  What kinds of public actions really work?","brand":"Beacon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47118597751024,"sku":"9780807043486","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780807043486_p0.jpg?v=1763738537","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780807043486","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}