[15][16] Philanthropy is a major cultural force in the U.S., handling many social responsibilities, thanks to individual giving levels that are two to twenty times higher than in other comparable nations.

[3][8] He has authored eleven books, including works on charter schools and public policy philanthropy, embedded reporting on the Iraq War, and a Marvel Comics nonfiction graphic novel.

[11] Opinion columnist Jeff Jacoby of The Boston Globe called the almanac "the first definitive work on the history, variety, and impact of private giving in the United States.

"[4] The Orange County Register wrote that the almanac "shatters myths about the stinginess of the wealthy and bleeding-heart liberals’ monopoly on compassion.

"[5] Booklist, published by the American Library Association, recommended the almanac as a "comprehensive, current, accurate, well-organized reference on private giving in the U.S."[20] A review in Choice magazine of the Association of College and Research Libraries did not recommend the almanac, calling it "extensive" and "entertaining" but "greatly hindered by its subjectivity and political bias".