The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations - Softcover

Lasch, Christopher

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0393307387 ISBN 13: 9780393307382

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 1991

Synopsis

The Culture of Narcissism A larger format second edition of this work of social and cultural criticism concerning the narcissism and self-interest of the "Me Decade", which has a new "Afterword" in which the author comments on the 80s and New Age spirituality. Full description

About this title

Review:

Formidable intellectual grasp and the kind of moral conviction rarely found in contemporary, value-neutral history and sociology. . . . Lasch is on to something quite real.

His vigorous appraisal of contemporary American life is to be admired as much for the perspicacity of his observations as for the contancy of this argument and the scope of his supporting references. . . . Few write with his penetration, intelligence, and historical expertise.

Christopher Lasch has gone to the heart of our culture. The insights into personality and its social context are stunning. This is a courageous, important book.--Michael Rogin, University of California, Berkeley

Cultural history at its best. . . . Provokes, startles, and keeps the reader arguing with himself as well as with the writer. . . . A book of fundamental importance.--Bruce Mazlish, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lasch took in a remarkable range of contemporary experience, making many observations that, if anything, ring more true today. . . . [Readers] may want to seek solace in Lasch's illuminations.--Lee Siegel

Never has the case against narcissism been made with such an all-embracing sweep. . . . [Lasch] has brilliantly performed the first job of a social critic by prompting us to look at our reflection--shorn of vanity.--Valerie Lloyd

Brilliantly on target [and] idiosyncratically compelling.--Alan Wolfe

This is the big intellectual book of the season, the one for everyone to feel guilty about not reading.--Henry Allen

About the Author:

Christopher Lasch (1932-1994), professor of history at the University of Rochester, wrote, among many other works, The True and Only Heaven: Progress and Its Critics and the best-selling Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy.

About this edition

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0393307387
• ISBN 13: 9780393307382
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304