Long recognized as our nation's cultural foundation, the American Dream was one of equal opportunity for all, an upwardly mobile society, and the belief that each generation would do better than the last one. Written for everyday readers, the author tells the story of how the Dream was born and how it contributed so much to our country's growth and prosperity. Unfortunately, forces within the new free-market economy are now eroding it. These include the deregulation of major industries, the decline of labor unions, offshoring, and globalization. The book goes on to examine lessons that might be learned from European countries where social safety nets work to minimize the downside risks that individuals face in today's turbulent world of free-market capitalism. The author concludes by outlining steps that can be taken by everyday citizens, businesses, and government in working together to restore the Dream for all of us today, and for future generations of Americans.