Caught Between the Dog and the Fireplug, or How to Survive Public Service: (Texts and Teaching/Politics, Policy, Administration series)

With practical advice for the reader considering a career in federal, state, or local government, this book conveys what life is really like in a public service job. It is written as a series of letters of advice from a sympathetic uncle embarking on a government career.The author draws on more than 40 years of public sector experience to provide advice on the daily challenges that future public servants can be expected to face: working with politicians, bureaucracy, and the press; dealing with difficult people; and maintaining high ethical standards. He shows that in the confrontational world of public policy-making and programme implementation, a successful career demands disciplined, informed thought, intellectual and personal growth, and broad reading. The book aims to demonstrate how, despite the inevitable inefficiencies of a democratic society, those working to shape policy in large organizations can effect significant change - and even have fun on the way.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface October: Working with politicians November: Working with the press December: Learning from your boss January: Dealing with unpleasant and difficult people February: More on unpleasant people March: Subordinate leadership, getting help from above April: Taking the initiative, or risk taking inside government May: The kinds of pressures and influence used on you September: Relations with a governing board October: More on governing boards November: Bona fide bureaucratic behavior December: "Walking with kings" January: Delegating, or working for your subordinates February: Ethics and morality in public service March: A few thoughts on leadership April: A summing up

About the Author :
Kenneth Ashworth is adjunct professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin and visiting scholar at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University. Among his many positions in public service, he served as Texas Commissioner of Higher Education.

Review :
A 'must' for anyone aspiring to a career in public service at any level, Caught Between the Dog And The Fireplug is highly readable yet filled with sensible observations and recommendations. Wisconsin Bookwatch Quite often an academic assumes that a book of anecdotes provides 'war stories' but little insight. This book, however, richly combines real experience with solid advice that would benefit even the most experienced public administrator. Ashworth's book performs the rare feat of providing an amusing look at public service while maintaining the importance of service to the commonweal. Public Administration Review