Caught Between the Dog and the Fireplug, or How to Survive Public Service (Text Teach / Policies)

This book is excellent for anyone starting in public service and especially starting in public service in Washington, DC. Advice from this author is written in letterform from Uncle Ken to an androgynous niece or nephew, Kim, who has chosen public service as an honorable career choice. In monthly letters to Kim, Uncle Ken tells stories of his years as a public servant. Each monthly letter has a theme on how to succeed in the life of social engineering; another term for public service that isn't used as much as it used to be. The book is filled with personal stories of success and failure and quotes from many notables and legends. Tidbits such as "You cannot walk with kings more than very occasionally if all you know is your area of specialization, regardless of how thoroughly you may know it;" and F Scott's Fitzgerald "You must have the ability to hold two opposing ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function;" and the more down to earth quote from a boss who was upset with him at the time, "When I agree with you, you are operating within the power we have delegated to you. When I disagree with you, you are exceeding your authority."This book will make you smile and shake your head at the same time. Anyone who has been in public service will read the stories and say, "yep, been there, done that, got that tee shirt." It's a good book that I enjoyed.

I'm currently in a masters program for public administration (I had four years in the field before heading back to school, so there's a bit of practical knowledge in my head as well). I'm about half-way through the book and have enjoyed each chapter. A lot of what Mr. Ashworth recommends gels with what I've learned or had supervisors tell me in the past. These are highly-linked skills with a public sector position and would help anyone jumping into the fray. If there is one gripe with the book, it's that it is frequently focused on a federal level of gov't interaction. Not all public servants will be sitting before legislatures, senate committees, etc. It would be nice to get more insight from the local (i.e. city manager, city council etc.) level. However, it seems that Mr. Ashworth spent a great deal of his career at this federal level and it is perhaps what he relates with the most.

I had to read this as part of a class but it's a great read. Realistic events that you can relate to if you work in the public sector and good advice for how to handle situations.

My college campus was going to charge me $40 for this book. I’m glad I was able to get a great deal on here

Wonderful book, so much of what is communicated in these pages is certainly true. Great for young professionals interested in serving.

Excellent read. It was an assignment for a course in Public Administration, however, I kept it due to the information for survival. I will pick it up & read some of the sections I have marked. They are often helpful with many situations. I highly recommend this book for anyone venturing into management or public service.

Thank You Mr. Ashworth for giving public administration students a "real" viewpoint. So many times as students we are bombarded with the rosier pictures of the field that we have chosen. While it is discouraging to know that there is much to overcome as a public administrator, I have a renewed fervor to see it through. I can hope that those whom your book was read by walked away with the many jewels that it had to offer. You are very funny and honest Thank You.

I love Ken's mechanisms for coping with the Texas Lege and others you meet when you are active in Texas government.