Richard Sennett founded and served as first director of the New York Institute of the Humanities and is now a professor of sociology at both New York University and the London School of Economics.
"A whirlwind of big ideas. Sennett is a worthy warrior, armed with abundant evidence of our better natures."-Connie Schultz, Washington Post -- Connie Schultz Washington Post "This humane work is broad in scope and will be of interest to sociologists, political scientists, and curious readers seeking hope for pursuing a more cooperative society."-Library Journal Library Journal "I envy any reader coming fresh to Sennett's work. Over four decades, his books have grown, volume by expert, companionable, readable volume, into a comprehensive diagnosis of the ailments of urban life and work, together with a series of hard-headed, historically rooted prescriptions for rescue and reform."-Boyd Tonkin, The Independent -- Boyd Tonkin The Independent "Sennet argues that changes in the 'social triangle ... of earned authority, mutual respect, and cooperation during a crisis,' have resulted in an uncooperative character type who is becoming more common in modern society, one who-in search of 'reassuring solidarity amid economic insecurity'-acts according to the 'brutally simple' paradigm of 'us-against-them coupled with you-are-on-your-own.' ... Sennett's writing is engaging and he provides an interesting perspective on modern society."-Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly Winner of the Zocalo Public Square Book Prize, awarded by the Center for Social Cohesion -- Zocalo Public Square Book Prize Zocalo Public Square