Who Is Government?

The Untold Story of Public Service

By: Michael Lewis

Narrated by: Michael Lewis, Sarah Vowell, John Lanchester, Geraldine Brooks, Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, W. Kamau Bell

“Perhaps never before has there been a book better timed or more urgent.”—Washington Post

“Michael Lewis has this incredible ability to zoom in on one person's story, and from there reveals something much bigger about our culture. His books leave you seeing the world differently, and his books about federal workers are no exception.”—Katie Couric

As seen on CBS Mornings, CNN Anderson Cooper, ABC News Live, MSNBC Morning Joe, and many more

Who works for the government and why does their work matter? An urgent and absorbing civics lesson from an all-star team of writers and storytellers.

The government is a vast, complex system that Americans pay for, rebel against, rely upon, dismiss, and celebrate. It’s also our shared resource for addressing the biggest problems of society. And it’s made up of people, mostly unrecognized and uncelebrated, doing work that can be deeply consequential and beneficial to everyone.

Michael Lewis invited his favorite writers, including Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, John Lanchester, Geraldine Brooks, Sarah Vowell, and W. Kamau Bell, to join him in finding someone doing an interesting job for the government and writing about them. The stories they found are unexpected, riveting, and inspiring, including a former coal miner devoted to making mine roofs less likely to collapse, saving thousands of lives; an IRS agent straight out of a crime thriller; and the manager who made the National Cemetery Administration the best-run organization, public or private, in the entire country. Each essay shines a spotlight on the essential behind-the-scenes work of exemplary federal employees.

Whether they’re digitizing archives, chasing down cybercriminals, or discovering new planets, these public servants are committed to their work and universally reluctant to take credit. Expanding on the Washington Post series, the vivid profiles in Who Is Government? blow up the stereotype of the irrelevant bureaucrat. They show how the essential business of government makes our lives possible, and how much it matters.

©2025 Michael Lewis (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"This eye-opening, multifaceted ode to public service. . . feels both urgent and moving."—The Guardian

"A spirited rebuttal to the canard that federal civil servants are nest-featherers up to no good. . . . All the contributions. . . press the point that the government’s work is useful—and no one else but government workers are likely to do it. Compelling arguments against ideologues bent on dismantling the government."—Kirkus Reviews

A Must Read!

Stories highlighting how important civil servants are to all of us. I shed tears especially as that civil service is now in jeopardy.

Cheers for the unsung heroes

We can’t all be super heroes, but there are many more of them living amongst us than one would guess. It’s wonderful to hear their stories. More please.

Great stories of individual contributions

There are some great individual stories about government employees who have done some amazing work behind the scenes.
Some of the narrators are very annoying to listen to. Some are great.

Enlightened

I thought the entirety of the information on government agencies were incredible. I was blown away. Everyone should read at least one of these stories and their view of government agencies will be forever changed.

The Power of Knowledge vs the politics unchanged

I love the idea of people having the power in our political system which seems bent on ignoring them. The suspicion of government & government overreach has been distilled into a distrust of very hard working fed employees who are just as dedicated as the middle & upper management in corp America (without the pay mind u). Heart breaking, inspiring and an aspiration is how these stories played out every day people ….people who have the power.

Very well written and read

It was nice to hear each author read the pieces. Well worth listening to and thinking about.

Inspiring tales of people who care about the work

A short, enjoyable listen about employees of the federal government who work every day to improve our society, doing their best in their corner of the government for everyone, and not for the betterment of any politician or party.

Must listen or read

Great stories. If you are an American you should read this. It really explains the government, and exposes misconceptions and preconceptions of our civil servants. Why do we not all know what our civil servants do? Why is it important to have civil servants? This gives examples of why these people are relevant, important and irreplaceable.

Government is not efficient

Actually listening to this book gives a clear indication that Government is not efficient.
If the authors purpose was to prove otherwise, they failed.

Great look at civil servant stories

Really great audio book on what civil servants do - happily recommend to anyone curious to learn more. Some of the stories hit stronger than other ones, but definitely worth a listen in these political charged times.