Book was pretty good and had some great points. It might be a controversial book for some who read it.

I’m about a quarter of the way through this long book, and I’m struggling a bit. The book is interesting and easy to read—but I’m having trouble understanding the author’s point. I don’t understand why, for instance, the author thinks it should be a university’s job to make sure their PhD candidates can get jobs as professors. It’s almost as if the author is approaching the subject as if it’s a given that community is good and individualism is bad. But it’s not a given. So far, it just seems like his personal opinion.

Maybe the author prefers community over individualism, but I don’t, and he’s not doing enough to persuade me of his position. It’s especially frustrating because I’m open to his ideas. Yet everything he presents further cements my belief in the value of my opposing position. People aren’t entitled to jobs as professors just because they have PhDs. Not everyone who seeks a PhD wants to teach. If you’re considering a PhD in anthropology, a quick web search reveals that about 80% of candidates can’t get tenure-track teaching jobs in the field. That’s pretty grim, but it’s no big secret that universities are turning out far more candidates than there are jobs.

This book has persuaded me of one thing—that people with neurodivergence may need more support than they’re receiving. That doesn’t mean neurotypical people need or want that support. Probably some do, but to me, the idea is horrifying.

I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll keep reading. I wish the book weren’t so long and would get to the point faster.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

3,5 stars,

Richardson stresses that this is not an academic book, because the studies he conducted and the research he made does not qualify as such. It is indeed not a monograph, but a well-meaning, well-researched and argued book.

I appreciate the graphs, statistics, and all evidence provided to support Richardson’s arguments.
He clearly is a learned person and has had rich experiences. These were my favourite parts of this book, and I loved learning more about Tamil cultures and that the Cree languages has 17 different words for different types of cousins.

Individualism is held up as the holy grail of the western world, but is it as beneficial as we make it out to be? This is the question Dr. James Richardson sets out to explore in his book. Drawing on thorough anthropological research and sociology, Richardson presents several areas of modern American life that suffer as a result of society's obsession with independence. He does this while holding it up as a contrast to his experiences in the collectivistic society in India, which is far more community-focused.

Richardson doesn't shy away from the dark side of individualism and its effects on people's lives, including aspects we wouldn't typically associate with this, such as meal rituals, our dependence on government authority to maintain public order, and even music concerts.

While I agree with the author's premise that hyper-individualism is, indeed, our worst strength, the sections of the book where he shares about society in India seem a bit rose-coloured to me, as someone from a collectivistic culture myself. There are downsides to the intense community focus that lead to a host of different detriments on (wouldn't you guess) an individual level.

Richardson also brings up many aspects of society that are now from a bygone era which we can hardly return to. Of course, there are no easy solutions to this multi-layered problem; he offers some suggestions in the Epilogue, but besides a brief mention of how some of these societal perspectives are different for the younger generations, it's quite bleak.

The language in the book is accessible, so while it's not something you can speed through because of how deep the author goes into the topics, it's still an easy read for the average reader. With an engaging mix of personal stories and presentation well-researched studies, this is a book that will encourage discussion and deeper thought for what our society has come to, and what changes we might have to make so that it doesn't continue on this downward trend. It's thought-provoking and challenging. This book is worth a read.

I enjoyed this book and as someone who once aspired to be an anthropologist, I was sucked right into 5he story. It really made me think about how much of “old school” is still a part of individualism, despite the rapidly changing social landscape? A definite read for those that are curious about that answer.

I’m an avid reader. I read 100+ books each year. Every few years I come across a book that stands out from the others. This is THAT book. Our Worst Strength, by James F. Richardson offers a penetrating exploration of the complexities surrounding hyper-individualistic societies. With meticulous research and insightful analysis, the book delves into the paradoxical nature of individualism, shedding light on its profound impact on contemporary American society.

Drawing on a rich tapestry of sociological research, cultural anthropological studies, and real-life examples, the author deftly navigates the intricate dynamics at play in our hyper-individualistic culture. Through compelling anecdotes and thought-provoking observations, Richardson reveals the ways in which the relentless pursuit of individualism can paradoxically become our worst strength as a society.

What sets this book apart is its commitment to balance. While acknowledging the benefits of individualism, the author refuses to shy away from its darker implications. By offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of hyper-individualism, the author invites readers to reconsider their assumptions on what is currently considered “normal” in our society, along with the repercussions of this “normal” state of being.

The book itself is a delight to read. Accessible yet intellectually stimulating, the author guides readers through complex ideas without sacrificing depth or clarity.

This isn’t a book you’ll read in one sitting. It isn’t meant to be. Our Worst Strength is a tour de force. Insightful, well-researched, and endlessly fascinating, this book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand American behavior in the twenty-first century.