Rich, Free, and Miserable ─ The Failure of Success in America

"This book is a searing indictment of the invasion of market thinking into every corner of American life, including areas where market considerations should never be primary, as when we hear about `the health industry' or `the education industry.' John Brueggemann points out that market pressures undermine moral commitments dear to liberals and conservatives alike. It is a badly needed book and deserves a wide and diverse audience."---Robert Bellah, University of California, Berkeley; coauthor of Habits of the Heart

"Cultural and political conservatives rail against the loss of civility, morality, and family values while simultaneously celebrating its principal cause---the individualist, materialist, and competitive free market. This book sets the record straight, with prose that is powerful, engaging, and contemporary. People who long for civility and community should turn off their iPods, cell phones, and laptops and read this book." ---Barry Schwartz, Swarthmore College; author of The Paradox of Choice

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, 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.

John Brueggemann is professor of sociology and holds the Quadracci Chair in Social Responsibility at Skidmore College. He is the coauthor of Racial Competition and Class Solidarity.