The Narcissism Epidemic

Living in the Age of Entitlement

By: Jean M. Twenge, W. Keith Campbell

Narrated by: Randye Kaye

Narcissism - an inflated view of the self - is everywhere. Public figures say it's what makes them stray from their wives. Parents teach it by dressing children in T-shirts that say "Princess". Teenagers and young adults hone it on Facebook, and celebrity newsmakers have elevated it to an art form. And it's what's making people depressed, lonely, and buried under piles of debt. Dr. Jean M. Twenge focuses on the pernicious spread of narcissism in today's culture, which has repercussions for every age group and class. Dr. Twenge joins forces with Dr. W. Keith Campbell, a nationally recognized expert on narcissism, to explore this new plague. Together, they provide an eye-opening exposition of the alarming rise of narcissism and its catastrophic effects at every level of society.

©2009 Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Filled with important, disturbing research detailing the alarming cultural spread of narcissism today." ---Karyl McBride, Ph.D., author of Will I Ever Be Good Enough?

Problem? Yes. Epidemic? Not quite

What did you like best about The Narcissism Epidemic? What did you like least?

What I liked best about it was Twenge, a leader in research in narcissism in American culture, put all of her research into one book. I have come across many of her and her colleagues studies and journal articles, but it is all in one place here.

Would you recommend The Narcissism Epidemic to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, but with a caveat. I wouldn't want someone to go into this with the intent of discovering this is how things are, but to understand the material is exaggerated. I think the information is great for the most part, but I do believe some of the conclusions drawn paint a far more grim future than what is rational.

Which character – as performed by Randye Kaye – was your favorite?

-

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

I think she has done a considerable amount of research, but I have problems with it. It feels like the fear factor is turned up to sell more books and conclusions are drawn from correlated factors. I think it is a little to far to believe this is in epidemic proportions, but there is certainly a problem. The criticisms of this I find are reasonable in regards to socio-demographics of her research (lack of diversity outside of mostly undergraduate students). The Narcissism Personality Inventory is a pretty good method of measuring narcissism, but it is almost four decades old and lacks a finer approach to narcissism, since there are several different characteristics of it.

Actual and urgent material

It is an actual and urgent content for today's audience. Especially young people but also people that think to parent on the future. I recommend this text.

interesting insights

was interesting and gave good insights in my humble opinion. recommend a listen for sure

could be better.

I found it to be more biased than I would have liked. other than that the concept was interesting.

A, plague of mirrors

I found this book to be an enlightening look at the problem of narcissism , which is basically pride without accomplishment. Too many people today are expecting a hero's welcome without any heroic deeds. This book examines the problem and offers solutions.

Raises good issues, but overstates the case.

The core of the material is helpful, but a lot of the peripheral points are not. One doesn't expect to agree with authors of expository booms on every point, but some of the things brought up are real stretches. For example, I don't believe that an increase in homeschooling is evidence or a potential manifestation of narcissism, which is what I took the book to be suggesting (an alternative explanation in the decline of public education quality resulting in some parents being willing and able to do a better job is never even mentioned). Also, the commentaries on things like environmental issues or governmental tampering with the economy are often superficial and rest on fundamentally incomplete understandings of those issues (I couldn't help wishing the authors had read at least one volume by Thomas Sowell). Such things notwithstanding, I still think the book was worth the time it took to get through.

I learned so much

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I gained great insight on how our society has evolved over the decades and understood how the choices from each generation have formed the reading of the next. With anything there is a positive and negative affect and right now, we’re firmly I the negative. Understanding has given me hope for change in the future and what we all can individually do to make a difference.

Much Better Book...

than Eleanor Payson's grammatically clunky, repetitive, Alice Miller worshippiing, simplistic metaphor sodden The Wizard Of Oz and Other Narcissists. The Narcissism Epidemic does what few books on the subject do: includes the scientific research on the subject, avoiding the easy, breezy Milleresque platitudes directed at so-called victims (which often enough only teach THEM to be self-indulgent and self-focused). Read this book instead of the pulp self-help books on the narcissist.

Insightful

As a Christian, I enjoyed also hearing a very secular perspective. I have since recommended this book to many people.

Excellent book and research

Great research is done and reviewed. Excellent analysis of society. Not a stone is left unturned. Great advice for the future as well.