The American Paradox: Spiritual Hunger in an Age of Plenty

by David G. Myers

Book Overview

For Americans entering the twenty-first century, it is the best of times and the worst of times. Material wealth is at record levels, yet disturbing social problems reflect a deep spiritual poverty. In this compelling book, well-known social psychologist David G. Myers asks how this paradox has come to be and, more important, how we can spark social renewal and dream a new American dream.

Myers explores the research on social ills from the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300091206
• ISBN13: 9780300091205
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

A thousand facts and observations about U.S. society

This book is clear and accessible despite its scholarly underpinnings. In fact, it almost reads like a 300-page magazine article because it holds your interest so well. It's tightly compartmentalized and jammed with quotations, numbers, case studies, and bulleted lists. Read this book and you'll walk away with the naked facts about why the social fabric of U.S. society has got some big holes. Poverty, violence, fatherless homes, and zealous individualism are chewing away at our society while our economic standard of living rises. Myers tends to observe and describe rather than preach and prescribe, and he documents his facts with dazzling detail and clarity. The most interesting part of the book was his discussion about individualism vs. communitarianism and the consequences of radical individualism. The book does seems disproportionately skewed toward the current negatives of U.S. society with less discussion of our spiritual hunger, as the title suggests, but Myers does weave in some observations about the role of faith and its benefits (greater happiness, better health). Thankfully he completely omits all debate on whether religion is true. He simply observes it as a given and gently suggests that spiritual communities may not be so bad after all, especially in America's current "age of plenty."

Excellent read

I loved reading this book. There is so much useful information here on the fundamental shift in American culture toward individualism and away from social rules. Dr. Myers is also an amazing and engaging writer (there is a reason his textbooks are bestsellers). By the end of the book you will have a much better understanding of the paradox of the title: Why do we seem to have so much more, yet are not any happier? Dr. Myers has done a lot of research on happiness, and he shows how the things we now value (money) will not bring us as much happiness as the things we perhaps should value (marriage, children) and which have suffered in the last few decades. If you teach, you could make a great class (freshman writing seminar, or upper-level discussion class) on American culture with this book and other books on this intriguing topic like The Great Disruption, Bowling Alone, and Generation Me.

The New American Dream

To hold David G. Myers book "The American Paradox" in your hands, is truly to be holding the solution to America's problems. This is perhaps the most enlightening book you will ever read in this decade. The sheer fortitude that it took to sort through the facts and figures between the 1960's and 1990's and come to these brilliant conclusions is nothing short of extraordinary. Never has there been a more appropriate time to analyze our culture. This is a time of true spiritual hunger. If you want the reality of the situation you will find it here. Both self-described liberals and self-described conservatives will agree: There is no avoiding this deluge of facts. Perhaps now we can all have a common goal. "The American Paradox" offers a sober appraisal of this present predicament and (finally!) gives a vision of hope for the future. We soon learn that the problems are many: 1. The divorce rate has doubled and women and children are impacted the most. 2. The teen suicide rate has tripled. 3. Marriages may start with euphoria, but many end in separation, anguish and divorce. 4. Most cohabitations break up before marriage. 5. Material wealth is at record levels, yet happiness has diminished. 6. We have replaced communal activities with TV and Web surfing. 7. We have placed a lower value on self-sacrifice, sexual restraint and moral obligation. 8. We have educated our children, while overlooking the need to teach them character. 9. The media gives false images of reality, which in turn have affected our children's thoughts and actions. 10. The pursuit of pleasure may in fact be amplifying misery. We are also reminded that Gandhi once said that seven social sins could destroy a nation. I have the feeling we have committed far more. It seems we need to embrace principles which will enable us to realize "The New American Dream." This is a dream in which we encourage marriage, initiative, basic liberties, close relationships, empathy, self-discipline, character development, civility, fidelity, spiritual awareness, love for our fellow man, and a shared commitment to moral truth. David Myers has set out the intellectual facts and figures with insight and fairness. There are no sides to take, but rather you will experience a feeling of enlightenment, hope and a new sense of determination. To me it is clear that we need to reexamine our social policies, make the media more responsible, and decide to change ourselves. Above all, we should protect our freedom by becoming personally responsible and making our marriages and families the top priorities in our lives. It is really up to us to decide our future. Often prevention is easier than the cure. Building character takes time and effort, but the rewards are immense. Finally, I found a book my husband and I could read and discuss at length. What he said to me made perfect sense. When he plays softball everyone on the team has i

Outstanding

I believe the title tells it all. In this time of enormous wealth, you would think people are donating more money to churches and charities, but they are giving even less. Wealth is at an all time high, but happiness and contentment are at historic lows. In the US we are so physically blessed but are nearing spiritual bankruptcy. We are unhappy at work, our marriages are falling apart and we walk aimlessly through life -- searching, searching, searching for "what's the meaning." This book aptly points out the real meaning has been there all along. Without a spiritual anchor, we'll continue to drift. I wish every American would read this book. Highly recommended for failing marriages: "The Romantic's Guide" by Michael Webb.