Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life

Habits of the Heart, first published in 1985, rapidly became one of the most widely discussed interpretations of American society in the twentieth century, joining a small body of pivotal studies such as Middletown and The Lonely Crowd. Much of what Habits described, and which resonated so widely in the public consciousness, is even more evident ten years later. Meanwhile, the authors' antidote to the American sickness - a quest for democratic community that draws on our diverse civic and religious traditions - has contributed to a vigorous scholarly and popular debate. In their new introduction, the authors relate the argument of their book to both the current realities of American society and the growing debate about the country's future.