by David Brooks
First published 2011
David Brooks turns his analytical eye on modern American culture in this collection of social commentary. The New York Times columnist first explores the rise of "bourgeois bohemians," a new class that combines capitalist ambition with countercultural ideals. These Americans pursue both profit and authenticity, creating a distinct social phenomenon that Brooks dissects with wit and precision. He then examines the broader American character, focusing on the national obsession with creating personal paradise through hard work, financial success, and lifestyle perfection. Brooks shows how Americans constantly seek their ideal life, often believing it can be purchased or achieved through the right combination of effort and consumption. His observations reveal the contradictions and complexities of contemporary American society, where traditional values mix with modern aspirations in unexpected ways.
Genres: american-fiction, social-science, american, contemporary, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: analytical, thought-provoking, witty
Tropes: social-commentary
Setting: America, New York
Period: Contemporary
608 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster