Based in part on the author’s three-decade career in city management, Without Purpose of Evasion provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to run a city, fascinating incidents in California history, and interesting background on contemporary policy issues that appear on the front pages of today’s newspapers.

John P. Thompson had a 30-year career in local government including 20 years as city manager of two California cities before becoming a partner on commercial development projects. Throughout his career he was active with several professional organizations and was honored by his peers to serve as President of the League of California City Manager’s Department. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and Master of Arts in Urban Studies from Occidental College. He cares deeply about effective local government and balanced public policy. He has founded and served on numerous nonprofit community-based organizations and is the current President of a local social service nonprofit. Thompson lives in Northern California with his wife of 40 years, Diane. They enjoy travel, friends and family and especially their 4 grandchildren.