Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life / Edition 3

Paperback (Print)
Rent
Rent from BN.com
$8.37
(Save 70%)
Eligible for FREE SHIPPING details
Usually ships within 24 hours - Same Day delivery in Manhattan details
Est. Return Date: 07/21/2013
FREE return shipping at the end of rental period How Textbook Rentals Work
Buy New
Buy New from BN.com
$25.41
(Save 9%)
Used and New from Other Sellers
Used and New from Other Sellers
from $6.00
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
(Save 78%)
Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (16) from $6.00   
  • New (6) from $20.72   
  • Used (10) from $6.00   

More About This Textbook

Overview

Habits of the Heart, first published in 1985, rapidly became one of the most widely discussed interpretations of American society in the twentieth century, joining a small body of pivotal studies such as Middletown and The Lonely Crowd. Much of what Habits described, and which resonated so widely in the public consciousness, is even more evident ten years later. Meanwhile, the authors' antidote to the American sickness - a quest for democratic community that draws on our diverse civic and religious traditions - has contributed to a vigorous scholarly and popular debate. In their new introduction, the authors relate the argument of their book to both the current realities of American society and the growing debate about the country's future.

Explores the traditions Americans use to make sense of themselves and their soceity.

Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780520254190
  • Publisher: University of California Press
  • Publication date: 9/17/2007
  • Edition description: New Edition
  • Edition number: 3
  • Pages: 410
  • Sales rank: 255,970
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.25 (h) x 1.00 (d)

Meet the Author

Robert N. Bellah is Elliott Professor of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, and the author of several books, including The New Religious Consciousness (with Charles Y. Glock) (1975). Richard Madsen is Professor of Sociology, University of California, San Diego; his most recent book is China and the American Dream (California, 1995). William M. Sullivan is Professor of Philosophy, LaSalle University, Philadelphia; his most recent book is Work and Integrity: The Crisis and Promise of Professionalism in America (1994). Ann Swidler is Professor of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, and the author of Organization Without Authority: Dilemmas of Social Control in Free Schools (1980). Steven M. Tipton is Professor, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and author of Getting Saved from the Sixties: Moral Meaning in Conversion and Cultural Change (California, 1982). The authors also collaborated on the writing of The Good Society (1991).
In 2000, Robert Bellah was one of twelve recipients of the National Humanities Medal
Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Updated Edition
Preface
1 The Pursuit of Happiness 3
2 Culture and Character: The Historical Conversation 27
3 Finding Oneself 55
4 Love and Marriage 85
5 Reaching Out 113
6 Individualism 142
7 Getting Involved 167
8 Citizenship 196
9 Religion 219
10 The National Society 250
11 Transforming American Culture 275
Appendix: Social Science as Public Philosophy 297
Notes 309
Glossary 333
Index 337
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 4 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(4)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 15, 2007

    An Academically deep understanding of the American Character.

    There is much for all Americans to learn from this book, which takes its rightful place along side other classic studies of the American character, the most famous of which, 'Democracy in America' 'Alesis de Tocqueville, 1835' they honor in the book's title. As highly as I rate this book, and I do believe every thoughtful American 'including those who are 'new' Americans should read this book', I was disappointed in the author's recommendations for curing our national malaise. de Tocqueville's phrase, 'Habits of the Heart', might loosely be translated as 'ties that bind', referring to those mores and practices common to a people that make a society more than just the sum of its individuals and promote a spirit of concern in each that speaks to the common good of all. The authors suggest, as antidotes for our national malaise, institutional changes engineered by a professional elite that would reinvigorate some of our older virtues that made life worth living and contributed to a shared feeling of a common good. If history can teach us anything, it is that the past is never returned to. Even more than this, de Tocqueville¿s phrase, ¿Habits of the Heart¿, which at first may seem an unusual way to refer to mores and common practices a society shares, is really the insight that those things that bind individuals together as a people and a society, must come from the heart. If we are to find a cure for our national malaise, it must come from the people, from the spirit of idealism that has always been part of the American character.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 27, 2002

    Rigorous, first-class analysis of Western Culture

    Though one should get Master's Credits for getting through it, this book is definitely worth the journey. A well-paced and insightful examination of how we live together - not only what we do and why we do it, but what the *implications* of those habits are for our common life. It helped me not only understand the culture around me but redirect some of my own attitudes into better channels.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted September 21, 2012

    Must read book for today's issues!

    American individualism runs back to the beginning of our country, but so does a sense of the common good. Bellah shows us our heritage, and the historical traditions which exist to fix what ails us today. It is a book we NEED to read.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 27, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)