American Nightmares

In an accessible and droll style, well-known sociologist JoelBestshines a light on how we navigate these anxious, insecure social times. While most of us still strive for theAmericanDreamto graduate from college, own a home, work toward early retirementrecent generations have been told that the next generation will not be able to achieve these goals, that things are gettingor are on the verge of gettingworse. InAmericanNightmares,Bestaddresses the apprehension that we face every day as we are bombarded with threats that the social institutions we count on are imperiled. Our schools are failing to teach our kids. Healthcare may soon be harder to obtain. We can't bank on our retirement plans. And our homesstill the largest chunk of most people's net worthmay lose much of their value. Our very way of life is being threatened! Or is it? With a steady voice and keen focus,Bestexamines how a culture develops fears and fantasies and how these visions are created and recreated in every generation. By dismantling current ideas about the future, collective memory, and sociology's marginalization in the public square,Bestsheds light on how social problemsand our anxiety about themare socially constructed.