Applebee's America : how successful political, business, and religious leaders connect with the new American community / Douglas B. Sosnik, Matthew J. Dowd and Ron Fournier.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 240-249) and index.

In this era of massive social change, it takes a deft touch to connect with Americans. This book cracks the 21st-century code for political, business, and religious leaders struggling to keep pace with the times. It takes you inside the reelection campaigns of Bush and Clinton, behind the scenes of megachurches, and into the boardrooms of corporations such as Applebee's International, the world's largest casual-dining restaurant chain. You'll also see America through the anxious eyes of ordinary people, buffeted by change and struggling to maintain control of their lives. The book offers numerous practical examples of how leaders earn the loyalty and support of people by understanding and sharing their values and goals. Two of the rules: people make choices about politics, consumer goods, and religion with their hearts, not their heads; the most important Gut Values today are community and authenticity.--From publisher description.

Pt 1 : Great connectors. Politics : values trump the economy ; Business : selling community ; Religion : a cause greater than yourself -- Pt 2 : Great change. Anxious Americans ; The 3 Cs : connections, community, and civic engagement ; Navigators ; Americans on the move ; Generation 9/11.