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University of California Press

Habits of the Heart, With a New Preface

Individualism and Commitment in American Life
by Robert N. Bellah (Author), Richard Madsen (Author), William M. Sullivan (Author), Ann Swidler (Author), Steven M. Tipton (Author)
Paperback
Price: $29.95 / £25.00
Publication Date: Sep 2007
Edition: 1st Edition
Title Details:
Rights: World
Pages: 410
ISBN: 9780520254190
Trim Size: 5.5 x 8.25
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About the Book

First published in 1985, Habits of the Heart continues to be one of the most discussed interpretations of modern American society, a quest for a democratic community that draws on our diverse civic and religious traditions. In a new preface the authors relate the arguments of the book both to the current realities of American society and to the growing debate about the country's future. With this new edition one of the most influential books of recent times takes on a new immediacy.

About the Author

Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, Robert N. Bellah is Elliott Professor of Sociology Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley. Richard Madsen is Professor of Sociology, University of California, San Diego. William M. Sullivan is Senior Scholar at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Ann Swidler is Professor of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley. Steven M. Tipton is Professor of Sociology and Religion at Emory University and the Candler School of Theology.

Table of Contents

Preface to the 2008 Edition
Preface to the 1996 Edition
Preface to the First Edition

Introductory
1 The Pursuit of Happiness
2 Culture and Character: The Historical Conversation

Part One Private Life
3 Finding Oneself
4 Love and Marriage
5 Reaching Out
6 Individualism

Part Two Public Life
7 Getting Involved
8 Citizenship
9 Religion
10 The National Society

Conclusion
11 Transforming American Culture

Appendix: Social Science as Public Philosophy
Notes
Glossary
Index

Reviews

"Habits of the Heart is, rare among works of scholarly origin, an outspoken and even emotional plea for attention to an argument, and a danger. Its power is in the passion of its analysis, the vision of us...narrowing the gap between the inordinate rewards of success and the not less inordinate punishments for failure, in economic terms, in the society."
— Los Angeles Times
"(A) brilliant analysis. Easily the richest and most readable study of American society . . . since The Lonely Crowd."
— Newsweek
"Remarkable. . . well written, and absolutely free of jargon. It conveys a powerful sense of moral urgency."
— New York Times Book Review
"At once far-reaching and intimate, rigorously reasoned and strongly felt."
— Psychology Today
"The contemporary benchmark from which to look back and look forward in the continuing inquiry about American character."—Daniel Bell