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Book Review: The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement


Title: The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement

Authors:  Twenge, Jean and Campbell, W. Keith

Free Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-4165-7598-6

Overall Rating: 6 of 10

 

                The Narcissism Epidemic provided some good statistics, and shared a number of interesting studies in a readable manner. It was nice to have something written by academics about an academic subject without sounding too academic. However, the prescriptions offered at the end of each chapter (at least it seemed like each chapter) became monotonous.  The fact that their prescription was different from Dr. Gilligan's in Violence: Our Deadly Epidemic and Its Causes won them points. I don't know exactly what statistics or information they could have given to have made me happy with them, but something about the book just didn't quite produce the "ah ha!" I wanted it to. However, for those who want some justification or fuel for their sense of irritation about people thinking they're entitled, this might be a book for you.

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