In the third edition of his award-winning System under Stress, Donald Kettl looks at the latest stress to hit the system--the financial crisis of 2008. In his brief, gripping narrative, Kettl assesses how well the U.S. political system responds under extraordinary pressure--from 9/11, to Hurricane Katrina, to the Great Recession--and asks if the government is ready to face that next challenge. A well-known scholar, author, and commentator in the areas of federalism and governance, Kettl asks the hard questions, makes a credible and persuasive argument, and crafts a readable case study that is both fascinating and thought provoking--back cover.