Con Umed

An examination of the effects of capitalism on American culture and society reveals how consumer capitalism overproduces goods, targets children as consumers, and replaces public goods with private commodities.

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.

What Happens to Our Kids When We Fail to Grow Up? by bestselling author Maggie Hamilton, explains how to recognise when the child in us comes out to play, from wanting to be rescued all the time to relying on others to do the heavy lifting. With clear-eyed analysis, Hamilton provides insightful ideas and practical tools to make us less escapist and more resilient, and to better prime our kids for health, happiness and independence in this complex world.