LOST CONNECTIONS by Johann Hari

LOST CONNECTIONS by Johann Hari was just published this week and deals, as the subtitle notes, with “Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions.”  This was actually a very surprising and quite interesting book to read because the author builds an argument against more commonly accepted causes of depression such as serotonin levels and genetics.  Hari argues instead that depression and anxiety are caused by society and by our increasing disconnections from meaningful work, from each other, from nature, etc.  I found myself wanting to learn more, especially because Hari does not have a medical degree (which he acknowledges), but does speak with authority due to his own experience with depression. He supplements his personal observations with thousands of hours of interviews and numerous studies; these are cited in the wide-ranging notes, in part a reaction to past questions in the UK about his sources. Hari describes in detail, for example, the research regarding loneliness that University of Chicago professor John Cacioppo and others have conducted. Coincidentally, the UK Prime Minister last week appointed a Minister of Loneliness which is estimated to impact over nine million Brits. In 2010, AARP projected the corresponding American figure to be almost 43 million.

In his conclusion, Hari writes, “We need to stop trying to muffle or silence or pathologize that pain. Instead, we need to listen to it, and honor it. It is only … when we can see its true causes, can we begin to overcome it.” Calling LOST CONNECTIONS a “sure-to-be-controversial book,” Kirkus says, “Hari delivers a weighty, well-supported, persuasive argument against treating depression pharmaceutically.”  I can think of several groups who will be curious to read more about his claims: our Social Work Department, Health Services, various teachers, and, of course, students and their parents.

Points North by Howard Frank Mosher

POINTS NORTH by Howard Frank Mosher contains a series of short stories set in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Mosher, a beloved and extremely well-regarded writer, finished this collection shortly before his death in January, 2017. The stories focus on the Kinneson family and as such are full of true “characters,” including strong woman like Miss Madge and Miss Mary Mae in “Sisters.” Similar to parts of his recent (2015) novel, God’s Kingdom, these stories are a bit melancholy at times, dealing with change, especially death and its aftermath for family members. Like Mosher's other writing, POINTS NORTH will prompt readers to slow down, to reflect, to appreciate nature, and to smile about small town relationships, ultimately thinking of all that is truly important. If you have not read his earlier work, let these stories be a brief introduction, but definitely pick up more titles by Howard Frank Mosher; my personal favorite is Northern Borders.

Social Issues explored ...

On the second anniversary of The Women’s March, it is particularly appropriate to craft some reviews about these recent purchases: 

HOW DEMOCRACIES DIE by Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt explores the threats to democracy in several countries including Turkey, Peru, and Hungary. They comment on the Trump presidency and draw several parallels, noting that “America is no longer a democratic model. A country whose president attacks the press, threatens to lock up his rival, and declares that he might not accept election results cannot credibly defend democracy.”  They also describe the “warrior mentality” and partisan polarization which has been increasing for years. Providing extensive endnotes, Levitsky and Ziblatt cite numerous warning signs (e.g., Republican Senate’s refusal to consider Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee; gerrymandering or voter “reform”) and forecast increased institutional warfare, creating “democracy without solid guardrails.” They even connect with other books listed here (bemoaning how Republican politicians are increasingly adopting a white nationalist appeal and how they speak about Black Lives Matter). According to them, a central lesson of HOW DEMOCRACIES DIE is “When American democracy has worked, it has relied upon two norms that we often take for granted – mutual tolerance and institutional forbearance. Treating rivals as legitimate contenders for power and underutilizing one’s institutional prerogatives in the spirit of fair play ....”  Are you interested in learning more? Read an excerpt or view Q&A with the authors on the publisher’s page. ADDED Jan. 24 from The New York Times: Is there Something Wrong With Democracy? (video)

Perhaps you are looking at democracy from another perspective, focusing on the growing resistance movement, and would be interested in the memoir WHEN THEY CALL YOU A TERRORIST by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele.  In rather angry terms, this tells the story of a Black Lives Matter co-founder and describes how she grew up, gaining strength from charter schools and art classes despite prevailing hostility from society. She and others used social media and civil activism to protest the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, eventually forming Black Lives Matter. She writes about now being a “terrifying time,” with concerns about healthcare availability, deportation, and so much else, while also celebrating that “we have centered and amplified the voices of those not only made most vulnerable, but most unheard .... Even still, there is so much work to do.” With an emphasis on women of color and non-gender conforming individuals, Khan-Cullors shared a great deal in this book, both personal and unique observations as well as some surprising facts. More commentary on this movement is provided in the October 2017 American Prospect‘s “What Will It Take for Black Lives to Matter?” by activist and academic Todd Gitlin.  WHEN THEY CALL YOU A TERRORIST received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly.

Our Junior Theme student researchers who are looking at racial profiling, the justice system and police activity will also be interested in UNEASY PEACE by Patrick Sharkey (Chair of the Sociology Department at NYU) since that deals with “the great crime decline, the renewal of city life, and the next war on violence.” Citing numerous statistics, Sharkey tends to write in a more hopeful tone; for example, saying “the drop in homicides since the early 1990s led to an improvement in the life expectancy of black men that rivals any public health breakthrough of the last several decades.” Sharkey stresses the benefits of less violence for poorer inhabitants and for children, while also highlighting the need for continued efforts (in areas like affordable housing, policing, and education) funded by public and private sources. UNEASY PEACE is divided into three sections: the new American city; the benefits of the crime decline; and the challenge of violence and urban inequity; plus roughly a fourth of the book contains endnotes and further reading possibilities, all of which will help our researchers.  

UNEASY PEACE received starred reviews from both Booklist and Kirkus.  Curious about other forthcoming books? The Kansas City Star recently provided this overview of new titles dealing with resistance.