Agency

“Agency is a book that people on both the left and the right should read. It is a guidebook for those who want to help lift up lower-income communities and struggling individuals. It is common sense reimagined.” —Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution and founder of the AHA Foundation

“This book is a gift to all those in the rising generation who are baffled by the ominous pessimism that our culture now projects at them from every direction and find themselves unable to envision a future that speaks to their highs longings. They deserve better from us. And Rowe offers them better by helping them see where a morally meaningful sense of direction might be found.” —Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute and editor of National Affairs

“What a strange world we live in, where the party of libertarians declares we are radically free, and the party of fate—the party that preaches the dogma of ‘systemic racism’—declares that only the state can save us.  Ian Rowe tells us there is a third, realistic alternative: we flourish and discover true liberty only in and through our mediating institutions, most notably, our families.  In this fine-grained and deeply personal account, we discover a way forward for our entire country.” —Joshua Mitchell, professor of government, Georgetown University

“Ian Rowe offers a serious look at how we’re failing our kids—and how we can course correct. This isn’t hyped-up flimflam—Ian’s impressive time in education, politics, media, and philanthropy help him offer a sober analysis of the challenges our kids face. Ian’s not grumbling about kids or sitting on the sidelines—he puts forward a thought-provoking game plan that draws deeply from the American Idea. He’s got the data, the stories, and the experience to make his argument well worth your time, regardless of your political leanings. We can’t ignore these problems—our kids are counting on us.” —Ben Sasse, United States senator from Nebraska

“In Agency, Ian Rowe provides a thoughtful and nuanced analysis of the challenges facing struggling communities and offers a practical, data-driven framework to empower even those from the most difficult circumstances to overcome barriers and succeed. Rowe’s FREE framework centers on the importance of faith, family, education, and personal responsibility. He recognizes that a vibrant civil society with strong local institutions is a key ingredient for human flourishing. Rowe’s message is a compassionate, inspiring, and refreshing alternative to the divisive, disempowering rhetoric we so often hear today.” —Elise Westhoff, president, and CEO, Philanthropy Roundtable

“This hope-filled, wise and spiritually enlightening book should be read—must be read—by every parent, teacher, legislator and community activist in America. With passion, clarity of thought and an abiding faith in the unlimited possibilities of this great nation, accomplished educator and entrepreneur Ian Rowe provides a road map for all of our children to realize their full human potential.” —Glenn Loury, Merton P. Stoltz Professor of the Social Sciences and Professor of Economics, Brown University

“An eloquent argument….[Rowe] is calling not for superstar behavior but an adjustment in normal ways of going through normal lives.” —John McWhorter, The New York Times