Beyond the Great Divide: How A Nation Became A Neighborhood

Governor George Pataki

Oct 2020 · Highbridge Audio · Narrated by Trey Radel

About this audiobook

Following the attacks of September 11th, New York governor George Pataki witnessed a truly United States of America rise like the mythological phoenix. People came together regardless of their generational, ethnic, situational, or cultural background, and he stated, "On that terrible day, a nation became a neighborhood. All Americans became New Yorkers." These words echo today with a hollow ring, and a bitter sting. The economic and emotional fallout post-9/11 was devastating. The political toll was even worse, bringing us to where we are today, a society as divided as it's been in more than a hundred years, separated by political tribes that demand ideological purity coupled with blind loyalty.



In looking at America and its divide, Pataki asks a bold question: Did the terrorists win?



This is a question no sitting politician or pundit from either side of the political spectrum will dare address. Along with president George W. Bush and mayor Rudy Giuliani, Pataki was one of only three people directly involved in, commanding, and making life or death decisions during 9/11. Few have the experience or depth to even begin to dive into this subject; as a result, Pataki's answers might surprise you.

About the author

Governor George Pataki is a former presidential candidate and a three-term Republican governor from the overwhelmingly Democratic state of New York. Pataki, the son of immigrants, grew up in a tight-knit family of farmers in rural New York and went on to become a Spanish-speaking, powerful, and beloved public servant. Trey Radel is an author, journalist, and former United States congressman. Fluent in three languages, Radel has lived and worked abroad and throughout the US as a TV news anchor and reporter, newspaper publisher, and radio show host. Radel's book Democrazy was published by Penguin Random House in 2017.