The Culture of Excess: How America Lost Self-Control and Why We Need to Redefine Success [Hardcover]

J.R. Slosar (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313377685 | ISBN-13: 978-0313377686 | Publication Date: October 22, 2009

As J.R. Slosar shows in this urgent, sometimes startling volume, the nation's fast-and-loose approach to money was in fact a symptom of a more widespread pattern of excessive behavior. In The Culture of Excess: How America Lost Self-Control and Why We Need to Redefine Success, Slosar portrays an America where the drive to succeed and the fear of missing out manifested itself not only in self-entitled corporate fraud, but in everything from sharp rises in obesity and cosmetic medical procedures to equally troubling increases in eating disorders, panic attacks, and outbreaks of uncontrollable rage.

The Culture of Excess is the first book to assess the impact of economic and social factors on the nation's psychological well-being. Narcissism, productive narcissism, psychopathy, rigidity and self destruction, perfectionism, the illusion of success, and identity achievement all come into play as Slosar diagnoses the psychological drivers behind this indulgent age, offering his prescription for helping "Generation Me" become "Generation We."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Clinical psychologist Slosar draws on research and 25 years of practice to analyze the impact on human development of what he calls the culture of excess. Americans live with an abundance of wealth, material things, and amusements, yet research has shown that we come up short on happiness measurements. Slosar begins by examining how the economic sector, with its emphasis on financial gain at all costs, led to the recent financial collapse and concerns about the excesses of capitalism. He goes on to explore how rampant narcissism drives risk-taking and the need for immediate gratification and how it has led to a decline in critical thinking. He offers vignettes from his practice and cites examples of the personal and societal consequences of a lack of self-control: rise in obesity and eating disorders, debt, gambling, impulsive behavior, and corporate fraud. Slosar concludes with suggestions on how parents, teachers, and policymakers can steer children and youth away from the insidious effects of excess and change the popular American emphasis on self-esteem to one of self-control. --Vanessa Bush

Review

"When The Culture of Excess was first offered to me to review, my first thought was am I the right person for this book? It only took me a few minutes and pages to realize that I would be fine for this book because I found the book was so much more than what I had expected. Dr. J. R. Slosar for me, most importantly, wrote this book in a way that made it easy to follow and understand. His goal seemed, in some ways, not far off from what I had been trying to do in a classroom as a teacher for the last few years prior to my retirement, and that was to get those young people to understand that their self-indulgence was very harmful to them as well as society as a whole. . . . The Culture of Excess is a thought provoking must-read for those who want a better life and society for themselves and their children and want to be part of a 'We' Society at last!"

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Bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com

"This book, written by a clinical psychologist offers a different perspective, which makes it stand out in this now-crowded genre of literature. Slosar provides an interesting examination of the psychological and social influences that affect us as a culture, setting up circumstances that made our clamor for money outpace our collective common sense. The prose is thoughtful, but not necessarily sanguine that we might not make the same mistakes again if given a chance."

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Reference & Research Book News

"Meticulously researched…written in a marvelously readable, breezy style…I heartily recommend this excellent book, and would recommend it for chapter 5 along, but it's all a really great read!"

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Health Matters

"Dr. Slosar gives us the perspective of the discipline of psychology, both as applied to individuals and as applied to our culture…Dr. Slosar shows us why addressing our cultural narcissism must be an integral part of achieving health care justice for all."

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Physicians for a National Health Program

"Recommended."

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Choice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 205 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (October 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313377685
• ISBN-13: 978-0313377686
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,584,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Culture of Excess, January 21, 2010

By 

Lynda Coker (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Culture of Excess: How America Lost Self-Control and Why We Need to Redefine Success (Hardcover)

When I first started reading this book I was amazed at how many of the unacceptable traits of excess I personally display. Not a very pretty revelation, as you can well imagine. But a very powerful reason to keep reading, which I did.

The cultural narcissism that Author Jay Slosar explains in detail, with accompanying stats, is downright scary. Another exposure is how religion gets caught up in today's Market Place Mania. This is consumer manipulation on a grand scale. Disturbing!

With health-care being on everyone's minds these days, I encourage you to pay very close attention to Chapter 5, HEALTH CARE: Waste, Excess, and Brokers.

As you read The Culture of Excess by Slosar, grab a dictionary, grab a notepad, and keep a bottle of your favorite headache remedy at hand. Not because reading this work is painful, but because the information Slosar dispenses will, I guarantee, make your head hurt as you contemplate the intolerable state of our society, of which you and I are fully a part.

5.0 out of 5 stars Salient as hell!, June 13, 2011

By 

JFK1961 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Culture of Excess: How America Lost Self-Control and Why We Need to Redefine Success (Hardcover)

I am a 50 year old returning adult baccalaureate student. Recently, I wrote a essay
on the individual and the out of control, American phenomena of rugged individualism.
The Culture of Excess, came to my attention after exploring the 1970s, Culture of
Narcissism by Christopher Lasch

Dr. Slosar touches on so many concerns I have with society at large while presenting
his material in a strongly voiced, well researched, whip-smart style that is intellectual
without being intimidating and questions our root moral beliefs. Embedded in his scathing
psychological analysis of our institutions, technology and current communal state is a caring
heart. Most critiques just complain and point out problems, Slosar attempts to suggest how we
can change. Sorry folks, it isn't in a pill or elixir; there is work involved. I would put Dr.
Slosar's thoughts in the realm of Erik Fromm.


During the recent "Ah-nold" scandal, I could not help continual reflection on Dr. Slosar's analysis
of the former actor-turned former Governor's political rise, how some would have petitioned to change
laws to elect Arnold as our President, highly doubtful now as his self got the better of himself,
while today others try to disprove our current President's resident status.


Again, I was drawn to Slosar's text upon last week's release of a national customer service survey
disclosing that 64% of consumers polled left a store and 67% had hung up on customer service calls
feeling they were not respected, cared about or found resolution of their problem. In our service
based economy what is shown when there is no customer service?


This is a page turner that will give a clear voice for those who are indignant at the beaten path worn
into our society.

Sadly, this poignant book won't make you friend's at your next dinner party.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, May 25, 2011

By 

Diane R. Smith (Irvine, CA, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Culture of Excess: How America Lost Self-Control and Why We Need to Redefine Success (Hardcover)

When I began to read The Culture of Excess, I was very interested to see how the author was going to handle such a broad reaching and (usually) ill defined topic. What I found was a very well written, thoroughly documented and perceptive offering. While I do not necessarily agree with some of his offerings in this work, I agree with most of them (especially the on on Religion) and I admit that even those I do not conform with my beliefs, were extremely well written, thought out and presented.

I highly recommend this thought provoking work to anyone who is a student of today's society.