First published in 1956, "The Power Elite" is regarded as a contemporary classic in the social sciences and social criticism. C. Wright Mills examines and critiques the organization of power in the United States, drawing attention to three interconnected spheres of power: the military, corporate, and political elite. "The Power Elite" can be read as a concise depiction of what was happening in America at the time it was written, yet the underlying question of whether America is as democratic in practice as it is portrayed in theory remains highly relevant today. What "The Power Elite" conveyed to readers in 1956 was how much the organization of power in America had changed during their lifetime, and Alan Wolfe's insightful afterword to this new edition brings us up to date by illustrating how much has changed since then. Wolfe sorts through what is useful in Mills' book and which of his predictions have not come to pass, outlining the radical changes in American capitalism, from intense global competition and the collapse of communism to rapid technological transformations and ever-changing consumer preferences. "The Power Elite" has inspired generations of readers to reflect on the kind of society they have and the kind of society they desire, and it deserves to be read by each new generation.