The author of Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines presents “a sharp, timely blueprint for unleashing the potential of millions of Americans” (Bruce Kats, Founding Director oof the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program). The president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, Jamie Merisotis is a leading voice in philanthropy, higher education, and public policy. In America Needs Talent, he explains the choices that must be made on all levels—in government, education, and the private sector, as well as by individuals—to usher in a new era of success and innovation in America. What if you paid for education based on what you actually learned, instead of the time you spent in class? What if visa applicants were treated like potential assets to our nation’s talent pool, rather than potential threats monitored by Homeland Security? Merisotis proposes bold ideas to successfully deploy the world’s most talented people, revitalize urban hubs, encourage private sector innovation, and power America’s knowledge economy in the 21st century.

Think you know everything about television's biggest talent competition? Think again! From what really goes on backstage to the binding contracts each contestant must sign and why some performers say they don't want to win -- these are the true, behind-the-scenes stories as told by the show's most memorable contestants. You'll also learn: * Which runner-up says he contemplated suicide after a painful spinal injury * How accused "fake soldier" Timothy Poe ended up saving the life of a stranger in his hometown * Why one winner gave away all of his prize money * Which finalist used to rob people's houses "for fun" before appearing on the show * How one act got tricked into moving to Branson, Missouri by a fake show promoter * Which winner forgot to claim his $1 million prize ...And much, much more! So forget the rumors -- Inside AGT: The Untold Stories of America's Got Talent is packed with first hand memories, newly published photos and updated interviews with more than 65 winners, finalists and fan favorites.

With falling wages and rising inequality, persistent unemployment, failing schools, and broken cities, have America's best days come and gone? In America Needs Talent, Jamie Merisotis, a globally recognized leader in philanthropy, higher education, and public policy, explains why talent is needed to usher in a new era of innovation and success, and why deliberate choices must be made by government, the private sector, education, and individuals to grow talent in America. What if you paid for education based on what you actually learned, instead of the time you spent in class? What if your visa application was processed as if you were an asset to our nation's growing talent pool, instead of by Homeland Security? Merisotis proposes bold ideas to successfully deploy the world's most talented people-from rethinking higher education to transforming immigration laws, revitalizing urban hubs, and encouraging private sector innovation. The outlook may be gloomy now, but it doesn't need to be. The second American Century can happen-by developing and deploying the next thinkers, makers, and risk takers who will power America's knowledge economy in the 21st century.

In 2011, the nation watched an American Jazz singer from the coalfields of West Virginia rise to the top of a talent competition on NBC. The story of Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. is more than a rags-to-riches story of some singer who won a reality show—it's a story of faith, hope, destiny, and dreams. To many people, Landau is the young man with dreadlocks who sings like Sinatra, but the story to be told is that of someone who is a hardworking man of enduring faith. When you're finished reading this book, you'll discover, along with having a great voice, Landau is a world-class human being.

A public policy leader addresses how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of labor—and what we can do to protect the role of workers. As computer technology advances with dizzying speed, human workers face an ever-increasing threat of obsolescence. In Human Work In the Age of Smart Machines, Jamie Merisotis argues that we can—and must—rise to this challenge by preparing to work alongside smart machines doing that which only humans can: thinking critically, reasoning ethically, interacting interpersonally, and serving others with empathy. The president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, Merisotis offers a roadmap for the large-scale, radical changes we must make in order to find abundant and meaningful work for ourselves in the 21st century. His vision centers on developing our unique capabilities as humans through learning opportunities that deliver fair results and offer a broad range of credentials. By challenging long-held assumptions and expanding our concept of work, Merisotis argues that we can harness the population’s potential, encourage a deeper sense of community, and erase a centuries-long system of inequality.

Presents a set of positive changes in corporate strategies, industry norms, regional policies, and national laws that will incentivize talent flow, creativity, and growth.

Those wacky scrambled states are back. This time they've come together for a spectacular show featuring their many goofball talents. But just when Indiana (the director) is about to call SHOWTIME!, Georgia gets a bad case of stage fright and can't perform in her juggling act. Will the show go on, or will it be curtains? In this winning companion to The Scrambled States of America, young readers will revel in the madcap adventure and silly antics all while learning interesting facts about states and geography. This title has Common Core connections. The Scrambled States of America Talent Show is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.