Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American CommunityOnce we bowled in leagues, usually after work—but no longer. This seemingly small phenomenon symbolizes a significant social change that Robert Putnam has identified in this brilliant volume, which The Economist hailed as “a prodigious achievement.” Drawing on vast new data that reveal Americans’ changing behavior, Putnam shows how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and how social structures—whether they be PTA, church, or political parties—have disintegrated. Until the publication of this groundbreaking work, no one had so deftly diagnosed the harm that these broken bonds have wreaked on our physical and civic health, nor had anyone exalted their fundamental power in creating a society that is happy, healthy, and safe. Like defining works from the past, such as The Lonely Crowd and The Affluent Society, and like the works of C. Wright Mills and Betty Friedan, Putnam’s Bowling Alone has identified a central crisis at the heart of our society and suggests what we can do. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 84
Page 384
This period of institutional ferment ended in the early twentieth century , but then (
as we have seen earlier in this book ) a long period of infilling followed , as the
organizations founded in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era added to their ...
This period of institutional ferment ended in the early twentieth century , but then (
as we have seen earlier in this book ) a long period of infilling followed , as the
organizations founded in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era added to their ...
Page 391
62 Although the culture of industrial America was becoming in some respects
more secular , religion played a substantial role in the civic revitalization of the
period quite apart from the devotional activities of local parishes and
congregations .
62 Although the culture of industrial America was becoming in some respects
more secular , religion played a substantial role in the civic revitalization of the
period quite apart from the devotional activities of local parishes and
congregations .
Page 409
On the other hand , it is undeniable that religion has played a major role in every
period of civic revival in American history . So I challenge America's clergy , lay
leaders , theologians , and ordinary worshipers : Let us spur a new , pluralistic ...
On the other hand , it is undeniable that religion has played a major role in every
period of civic revival in American history . So I challenge America's clergy , lay
leaders , theologians , and ordinary worshipers : Let us spur a new , pluralistic ...
What people are saying - Write a review
User ratings
| 5 stars |
| ||
| 4 stars |
| ||
| 3 stars |
| ||
| 2 stars |
| ||
| 1 star |
|
LibraryThing Review
User Review - jonerthon - LibraryThingProbably the last of the older titles that has been on my reading list too long. Though it is dated in some ways, I was glad to finally get through this one and understand why so many planners have ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - ddonahue - LibraryThingThe present withdrawal of the individual from social organizations now resembles the situation after WW I as depicted in Chapter IX of Eckstein's Rites of Spring, in which he describes veteran's eschewal of social commitments. Read full review
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
activities adults American archive associations attendance Author's analysis average become bowling century chapter church cities citizens civic engagement club compared connections DDB Needham decades decline Democracy economic effects equality evidence example fact factors figure forms four fraction friends giving groups growth half important income increase individual institutions interest involvement John Journal late least less lives measures meetings membership movement nearly Needham Life Style neighborhood networks organizations parents participation percent period playing political population Press question recent relative religious reported Research response Review rise Robert Roper roughly share shows single Social and Political social capital society spend Statistics suggests surveys television tion Trends trust turn twentieth century union United University Press Urban virtually volunteering watching women World York
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community |
| Author | Robert D. Putnam |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster, 2001 |
| ISBN | 0743203046, 9780743203043 |
| Length | 544 pages |
| Subjects | › › History / Social History History / United States / 20th Century Political Science / Public Policy / General Social Science / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |