Synopsis

Compared to much of the rest of the world, America and its citizens are rich. But many people are also deeply miserable—at work, at home, or both. In this provocative book, author John Brueggemann unpacks why so many people are struggling, both emotionally and financially, in a nation that looks so prosperous on the surface.

From a hospital patient reduced to a balance sheet to a parent working such long hours that he misses dinner, Brueggemann argues that market thinking has permeated every corner of our lives. In the pursuit of more and better, relationships erode, to the detriment of individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole. Rich, Free, and Miserable not only outlines these pressing social problems, but also offers practical suggestions for people looking to make a positive change. The paperback edition features a new Preface that discusses the widening wealth gap, the ongoing effects of the recent recession, as well as the implications of the Tea Party and Occupy movements.

Biography

John Brueggemann is professor of sociology and Quadracci Chair in Social Responsibility at Skidmore College. He is the author of Racial Competition and Class Solidarity and a number of journal articles, and he is a regular speaker on topics including class, race, inequality, and social change.