Compared to much of the rest of the world, America and its citizens are rich. But many people are also deeply miserable—at work, at home, or both. In this provocative book, author John Brueggemann unpacks why so many people are struggling, both emotionally and financially, in a nation that looks so prosperous on the surface. From a hospital patient reduced to a balance sheet to a parent working such long hours that he misses dinner, Brueggemann argues that market thinking has permeated every corner of our lives. In the pursuit of more and better, relationships erode, to the detriment of individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole. Rich, Free, and Miserable not only outlines these pressing social problems, but also offers practical suggestions for people looking to make a positive change. The paperback edition features a new Preface that discusses the widening wealth gap, the ongoing effects of the recent recession, as well as the implications of the Tea Party and Occupy movements.

"Rich, Free, and Miserable examines why so many successful people are miserable, at work and at home, struggling emotionally and financially in the world’s most prosperous nation. Brueggemann’s book...is clearly written and easy to follow....[Brueggemann] drew upon existing research to try to diagnose what ails contemporary America. He cites numerous studies that show that Americans feel less connected to each other, that they have less time and that membership in civic organizations is declining." - Schenectady Gazette, August 2010

"Brueggemann's Rich, Free, and Miserable provides a concise and fairly comprehensive examination of the consequences of unregulated markets on the moral life of America. . . .[T]his book is insightful, well written, and comprehensive." - Critical Sociology