From the Publisher
“An impassioned, research—driven case for a return to the political center.”—Kirkus Reviews
"Libby speaks to an America adrift… setting forth earnest proposals in a rational, analytical manner… His suggestions cross political lines, aiming to avoid extremism and find a middle ground to unite Americans."—BookLife by Publishers Weekly
“Strong Floor, No Ceiling is an ambitious and enthusiastic centrist political text.”—Foreword Clarion Reviews
“Strong Floor, No Ceiling… is a genuinely enlightening and intelligent guide to how thoughtful economic planning can create both security and opportunity for all Americans.”—Readers’ Favorite
“Strong Floor, No Ceiling outlines an enthusiastic, optimistic vision for righting American civic life…”—IndieReader
“This is the work of a master… it is timely, resonant, and a must read.”—The Book Commentary
"You may not have heard of Oliver Libby, but he has a very good idea. Strong Floor, No Ceiling describes something like the old—fashioned America many of us still believe in: take care of everyone and cheer for those who succeed."
— Don Graham
Former Publisher of The Washington Post
“This book represents a bold and comprehensive response to the stark reality that far too many hardworking Americans struggle to live paycheck to paycheck. From FDR to LBJ to Barack Obama, leadership at its best has recognized that powerful initiatives like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act provide a strong and necessary floor. At the same time, we embrace the principle that working hard and playing by the rules should provide unlimited opportunity to succeed. There should be no ceiling as to what can be accomplished in America.”
— Hakeem Jeffries
House Democratic Leader, D—NY
"Oliver Libby is a voice from the radical center with a critical focus on the key societal and policy issues of our time. Oliver proposes smart and visionary ideas encouraging the collaboration among government, non—profits and government to develop practical and sustainable solutions."
— The Hon. Ann Veneman
Former United States Secretary of Agriculture; former Executive Director, UNICEF
“In my district of Silicon Valley, nine out of ten young people still believe in the American Dream. But when I travel across the country, I meet equally talented young people who don’t share that same sense of possibility. Strong Floor, No Ceiling is a thoughtful look at how we can restore that hope.”
— Congressman Ro Khanna (D—CA)
“At this moment when we Americans are not cooperating with each other, when we have scarce interest in plans to strengthen our government or save our democracy—here comes Oliver Libby with a book of strong, constructive thought for our country. He lays out a plan as large in scope, as fair, as consequential as the biggest in our past, and as far—reaching as we need today to get back on the path of healing and guarding our shared enterprise together. Each of us should read it and then ask ourselves: why shouldn’t we do something like this—together?”
— Peter C. Goldmark
Former Budget Director, New York State; former President, Rockefeller Foundation; former Executive Director, Port Authority of NY and NJ; former Publisher and CEO of the International Herald Tribune; former Director, Climate + Air Program, Environmental Defense Fund
“In Strong Floor, No Ceiling, Oliver Libby has written a civic manifesto for our time. This compelling book is clear—eyed about the challenges we face and plain—spoken about the many opportunities ahead if we work to strengthen the political center.”
— Sally Susman
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Pfizer; author of WSJ Bestseller Breaking Through
“Oliver Libby’s vision for more equitable America—one that prioritizes and rewards civic—mindedness, innovation, and entrepreneurship—is inspiring. Strong Floor, No Ceiling puts forth a big—hearted and utterly pragmatic blueprint for a country where everyone has the opportunity to prosper.”
— Stephanie Mehta
CEO, Inc. and Fast Company
"Oliver's lifetime of service and leadership informs his masterful accounting of where we as a nation should be headed. Strong Floor, No Ceiling, presents a powerful roadmap for how America can ensure justice, fairness and limitless opportunity for all. This insightful analysis and vision should be required reading for political, economic, and cultural leaders as they rightfully search for a new governance paradigm to meet the challenges of this century."
— Congressman Max Rose
Former Member of Congress and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense
“Oliver Libby has been dedicating much of his energies and time to encouraging and supporting young innovators and leaders in America and around the world in their, and his, efforts to have a positive impact. And now, in his book Strong Floor, No Ceiling, Oliver builds on his experience and knowledge to bring forward a powerful concept for the future of America—and perhaps also for societies elsewhere.”
— Maria Livanos Cattaui
Former Secretary—General of the International Chamber of Commerce
“In America’s bitterly divided political landscape, moderates have been crying out for an agenda they can unite behind that could heal our wounded country. Oliver Libby’s Strong Floor, No Ceiling gives them exactly what they’ve been hoping for and what the nation has needed.”
— Gautam Mukunda
Lecturer, Yale School of Management; author, Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter and Picking Presidents: How To Make The Most Consequential Decision in the World
“The best leadership blends sound principles, practical action, and a deep empathy for people. Oliver Libby understands that society is better off if citizens have access to the basic tools of success which enable them to elevate their lives. Fairness and success are not opposing concepts; Oliver eloquently shows how vitally linked these ideas are in service of the American Dream.”
— Strauss Zelnick
Chairman and CEO, Take—Two Interactive Software; founder, ZMC
“Balanced, sensible, nonpartisan, aspirational. These are the words that come to mind while reading this book. It really should unite 80 percent of people on most of these recommendations. What a helpful contribution to our national dialogue about how to move forward in partisan times.”
— Kevin P. Ryan
Founder and CEO, AlleyCorp
"In a time of deep division, Oliver Libby offers a path forward grounded in dignity and purpose. Strong Floor, No Ceiling offers not just a plan but a pragmatic, moral framework to imagine an America that invests in the potential of all its citizens."
— Jacqueline Novogratz
Founder and CEO, Acumen
“In a time of deep division and disillusionment, Oliver Libby offers something rare: a bold yet practical plan that transcends partisanship. Strong Floor, No Ceiling is a deeply researched and passionately argued roadmap for rebuilding faith in the American Dream. Libby brings the mindset of a builder to the problems of American politics, reminding us that national renewal is possible—if we choose to meet the moment with clarity, courage, and common ground.”
— Seth Levine
Co—Founder and Partner, Foundry Venture Capital
“Working with Oliver Libby for years and reading this book, it is clear that he understands the key role of infrastructure and energy in America. Infrastructure and energy are where technology, jobs, and innovation drive profits. Oliver's vision for America, which joins these concepts, is indeed the foundation for a renewed American Dream.”
— Claire Broido Johnson
Co—Founder, SunRock Distributed Generation; former Co—Founder, SunEdison
“Oliver Libby writes from a place of deep respect for science—which stands to reason given his lineage in that space—and for the type of American government and system that would give us the best chance of beating major collective challenges like cancer, upgrading our healthcare system, and ensuring that Americans live longer, better, more prosperous, and healthy lives.”
— Siddhartha Mukherjee
NYT bestselling author of The Emperor of All Maladies
“Oliver has long been thinking big and building across sectors, with a rare ability to connect vision to action. In Strong Floor, No Ceiling, he lays out a bold, pragmatic philosophy that couldn’t be more timely—one that reclaims America’s role as a global leader by focusing on what truly makes us safer, more prosperous, and more free. This book reminds us that for the world to thrive, America needs a guiding purpose—and Oliver gives us one.”
— Steven Hill
Executive Secretary, International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law
"I enjoyed reading this thought—provoking book, which includes policy ideas that can help unify our nation, including the expansion of voluntary national service. As Army veteran and Governor of Maryland Wes Moore says ‘service will save us.’"
— Rye Barcott
CEO and Co—Founder, With Honor
“Most books about policy come at our nation’s problems from the ivory tower; not so Oliver Libby’s pragmatic, from—the—center—with—a—heart plan for America. Most Americans care about their families, their work, and making sure they can make ends meet when they go to the supermarket to put food on the table. Oliver Libby connects these kitchen table issues with a sweeping plan to rebuild the American Dream that I think people can get behind.”
— Joe Kelley
Senior Vice President Retail Divisions, The Kroger Company
“Strong Floor, No Ceiling lays out a confident, forward—looking vision for America. Grounded in personal history and practical experience, Libby shows how innovation—AI in particular—can strengthen both opportunity and responsibility. A timely reminder of what our country has achieved—and can continue to achieve when it leads with clarity and purpose to sustain the American Dream.”
— David Eun
Tech Entrepreneur, Advisor, and Board Director; former Chief Innovation Officer, Samsung Electronics
“A bold and refreshingly practical plan that invites genuine support from both the left and the right. Oliver lays out a vision so rooted in common sense and shared values that you’ll find yourself nodding in agreement, page after page. A timely and deeply thoughtful achievement.”
— Scott Salmirs
President and CEO, ABM Industries
“Strong Floor, No Ceiling is more than a book—it’s a timely and compelling call to reimagine America’s social contract with clarity, compassion, and purpose. As an executive who grew up poor in an immigrant family, I found the book’s focus on equity, civic responsibility, and structural reform both refreshing and essential. Oliver Libby invites us to help build a more just America—one where the future belongs to all of us, not just the privileged few.”
— Esteban López, MD
Former Senior Executive, Google and Blue Cross Blue Shield; board director, NASDAQ—listed companies | Health Equity Advocate
“Representing a new generation of expansive political thinkers, Oliver Libby lays out an actionable, 'radically moderate' vision for the future of the Democratic Party, steeped in a solid social foundation for all Americans—'strong floor'—while allowing for economic opportunity to thrive—'no ceiling.' Libby’s blueprint to rebuild the party and revive the American Dream warrants careful consideration as our current political path continues to drift further away from our most basic promise and values.”
— Mark K. Updegrove
President & CEO, LBJ Foundation; Presidential Historian, ABC News
"Oliver Libby writes a thoughtful book that brings hope back to America; he understands from his experience at Resolution and working with colleges across the country that higher education is a key battleground in the fight for America’s future.”
— Russ Kavalhuna
President, Western Michigan University
“Strong Floor, No Ceiling presents a bold vision for American society that is both ambitious and refreshingly practical. The novelty of Libby’s approach is in his fusion of seemingly disparate approaches and in his common—sense connection of a core we can all agree on. If you want to believe the American dream can live on, you need to read this!”
— George Tsiatis
Co—Founder and CEO, The Resolution Project
“In Strong Floor, No Ceiling, Oliver Libby provides a blueprint anyone interested in the future success of our Nation should read. From healthcare to defense, he gives insight into how innovation and leadership can converge to solve our most pressing challenges. His clarity and vision couple with practical optimism make this a must—read for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and anyone committed to building a stronger future.”
— Zach Iscol
Marine combat veteran and senior government executive
“If you want a book that is just more screaming, more finger pointing, more excuse making, this isn’t it. But if you want real world, practical solutions to so many of our problems from health care to immigration to defense to the economy to education and so many more—solutions that can be implemented in the crazy world we live in from someone who has real, useful experience in government, in business and in technology—then dive right in. You’ll be very glad you did.”
— Bradley Tusk
Venture capitalist; political strategist; author, The Fixer and Vote With Your Phone; host, Firewall
“An ambitious book. Libby scans the horizon of American frustration and presents a comprehensive strategy designed to restore hope during an era defined by deep cynicism.”
— Marc J. Dunkelman
Fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
"Oliver Libby and I have worked together for more than twenty years, and I know him personally as a partner, colleague, and friend. He is a man of integrity; his enthusiasm for his country and for making government more effective is deeply genuine. Strong Floor, No Ceiling is a thoughtful and timely vision for our country. It is perhaps most powerful because readers do not have to agree with every policy Oliver recommends—I certainly do not. But common—sense policies that make government work for all? That is something Oliver and I agree on wholeheartedly."
— Eric Hatzimemos
Co—Founder, Chairman, & CEO, H/L Ventures
