In a time of difficulties, daily life becomes an exercise in survival. People live only for today. They rarely look back, so as not to succumb to a paralyzing nostalgia; and if they look ahead, it is to see how they can protect themselves from the misfortunes that almost everyone expects today. Emotional balance today requires a minimal self, rather than the imposing self of the recent past.

This is how Christopher Lasch begins his book, and in the three hundred pages that follow, he supports his claims.

"Even more valuable than its highly praised predecessor, 'The Culture of Narcissism'." - John W. Aldridge

"He tells us fascinating and original things... His psychopolitical thoughts are very wise." - Dennis H. Wrong, New York Times Book Review