by Ben Sasse
First published 2018
Senator Ben Sasse examines why Americans feel more isolated than ever despite unprecedented wealth. He argues the nation's problems stem not from political divisions but from profound loneliness that manifests as anger. Sasse documents how local institutions are crumbling. Little leagues vanish, Rotary clubs shrink, and neighbors remain strangers. Work provides less stability and meaning than previous generations enjoyed. Families fracture and friendships fade as traditional communities disappear. Without real connections, people form tribes around shared enemies rather than shared places. Foreign actors exploit these divisions through technology, while social media amplifies discord. The author contends that rebuilding authentic relationships in actual locations offers the only solution. Americans must rediscover their roots and love their neighbors to heal both personal isolation and national division.
Genres: american, political-science, social-issues, non-fiction, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: call-to-action, social-commentary
288 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press