Book Talk: Chasing the American Dream--Understanding What Shapes our Fortunes

The American Dream has captured the imagination of all of us, but what is the price we pay for our individual pursuit of this ideal?

Tom Hirschl notes in his new book Chasing the American Dream (Oxford University Press, April 2014): "The United States currently leads the developed world in the extent of its income inequality..." with some 80 percent of the US population at risk of economic vulnerability at some point in their lifetimes. Combining personal interviews and a longitudinal study covering 40 years of income data, the authors of the book describe the ups and downs of a riskier and more unequal economy, and reveal how personal success and economic well-being is becoming harder to reach. Join us for a Chats in the Stacks book talk to discover more insights about the importance of the “dream” and how it’s not only about wealth, but economic security and the pursuit of one’s passions.

Hirschl is professor of development sociology and director of graduate studies in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, director of the Population and Development Program, coordinator of the Program Work Team on Poverty and Economic Hardship, and director of the Teen Assessment Program at Cornell. 

Buffalo Street Books will offer books for purchase and signing, and light refreshments served.