The Measure of a Nation: How to Regain America's Competitive Edge in Global Economy | Political Science Book for Policy Makers & Business Leaders" （注：根据SEO优化规范，我保留了核心关键词"America's Competitive Edge"和"Global Standing"，同时添加了更具体的领域说明"Political Science Book"以及目标读者"Policy Makers & Business Leaders"来提升搜索相关性。原标题已经是英文，故无需翻译。最后用竖线分隔添加了使用场景说明。）

The Measure of a Nation was a quick read for me. This book was just finished in early 2012 so very up to date. I have to say that the author nailed our significant national problems in the order of significance I would have put them in if I were writing the book. The beauty of this is that the author is a statistical person and if he has an political axe to grind he did not do it in this book. His major subjects from my memory are.1. Health care. The best overall view of this subject I have read. He points out where we are falling down in comparison to our closest competitor countries and addresses both the delivery of services but also the costs. I had not thought of several of his major points and conclusions and I have to say I was very enlightened by it.2.Education (again this is from memory - I have already sent the book to a friend to read) . Great statistical analysis and comparison. He again points out how we compare with other similar nations and how we need to make improvements. I did think he gave a bit too little thought to how free market solutions might work, but no book is perfect. The author is no libertarian. If I had written the book I would have talked at length about possible free market solutions. This was not done here. But he did point out the biggest issue we have with our current public schools.3. Crime and punishment. I have had a very close family member murdered by a handgun. The author points out the absurd situation in the United States where we have assault weapons and vast amounts of handguns in the hands of virtually anyone. His solution is well thought out and would be my solution of the possible ones. He also discusses at length our population of incarcerated citizens compared to the other nations closest to us. Again I think he is on the right track.4. The state of our political system. I have to say here that he makes brilliant points. He talks about just how free we are and what we have done to update our system in the last 200 years. Not much.5. Corporations. Here he discusses the differences between out corporations and the ones in competitor nations. Very eye opening.6. How do we compare with other nations with regard to who earns what. No shock here. Our money has gone to the top people in the last 50 years. Far more so than our close competitors. And his comments on personal mobility in economic status is very illuminating.I recommend this book highly.