The Triple Package

Why Groups Rise and Fall in America

By: Amy Chua, Jed Rubenfeld

Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross

It may be taboo to say, but some groups in America do better than others. Mormons have recently risen to astonishing business success. Cubans in Miami climbed from poverty to prosperity in a generation. Nigerians earn doctorates at stunningly high rates. Indian and Chinese Americans have much higher incomes than other Americans; Jews may have the highest of all.

Why do some groups rise? Drawing on groundbreaking original research and startling statistics, The Triple Package uncovers the secret to their success. A superiority complex, insecurity, impulse control - these are the elements of the Triple Package, the rare and potent cultural constellation that drives disproportionate group success. The Triple Package is open to anyone. America itself was once a triple-package culture. It's been losing that edge for a long time now. Even as headlines proclaim the death of upward mobility in America, the truth is that the old-fashioned American Dream is very much alive - but some groups have a cultural edge, which enables them to take advantage of opportunity far more than others.

• Americans are taught that everyone is equal, that no group is superior to another. But remarkably, all of America’s most successful groups believe (even if they don’t say so aloud) that they’re exceptional, chosen, superior in some way.
• Americans are taught that self-esteem - feeling good about yourself - is the key to a successful life. But in all of America’s most successful groups, people tend to feel insecure, inadequate, that they have to prove themselves.
• America today spreads a message of immediate gratification, living for the moment. But all of America’s most successful groups cultivate heightened discipline and impulse control.

But the triple package has a dark underside too. Each of its elements carries distinctive pathologies; when taken to an extreme, they can have truly toxic effects. Should people strive for the triple package? Should America? Ultimately, the authors conclude that the triple package is a ladder that should be climbed and then kicked away, drawing on its power but breaking free from its constraints.

©2014 Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld (P)2014 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"In their provocative new book, Chua (Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother) and Rubenfeld (The Interpretation of Murder) - Yale Law professors and spouses - show why certain groups in the U.S. perform better than others. According to the authors, three traits breed success: a superiority complex, insecurity, and impulse control. Only when this ‘Triple Package’ comes together does it ‘generate drive, grit, and systematic disproportionate group success.’ Supported by statistics and original research.... This comprehensive, lucid sociological study balances its findings with a probing look at the downsides of the triple package - the burden of carrying a family’s expectations, and deep insecurities that come at a psychological price." (Publishers Weekly, starred and boxed)

"Husband and wife professors at Yale Law School explore why some cultural groups in the United States are generally more successful than others. Chua and Rubenfeld argue that each of these groups is endowed with a 'triple package' of values that together make for a potent engine driving members to high rates of success...[and] that the U.S. was originally a triple-package nation. However, while Americans still view their country as exceptional, in the last 30 years, the other two parts of the package have gone out the window, replaced by a popular culture that values egalitarianism, self-esteem and instant gratification, creating a vacuum for more motivated groups to fill. On a highly touchy subject, the authors tread carefully, backing their assertions with copious notes. Though coolly and cogently argued, this book is bound to be the spark for many potentially heated discussions." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Thinkers like Chua and Rubenfeld do us a service by reaching beyond the limits of what we can quantify." (National Review Online)

approach with an open mind

true intellectuals have a lot to gain from reading this book if you don't write it off before you've given it a chance

Triple Thumbs Up!!

This book is a must listen for anyone who wants insights into what makes some people and cultures successful. It is intended to be provacative and politically iccorrect which is why I appreciated and enjoyed it. Amy Chua and Jeb Rubenfiled backup most every idea with hard statistics which support each conclusion they present and they do it in an entertaining manner.

Some of the successful cultures presented werent suprising such as Jews and chinese-americans but i wasnt expecting to hear about the success of Cuban-Americans and Nigerians.

My only criticism would be in the narration. I feel the subject matter could have landed better with a bit more sharper stronger voice. The narration is a little soft in my opinion.

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amazing

one of the best books I've read this year (currently THE best).

I like the way it explains how immigrants and certain groups rise to prominence and why, also why they fall. it brings a lot into perspective with current ongoings in the US

interesting, but not life changing

interesting and entertaining theory. much of it makes sense in a macro view, I can see why some people might get worked up over some of the ideas in the book. Form your own decisions.

The accuracy

As a Cuban immigrant married to a third generation born Cuban American I see firsthand the difference btw generations and drive. The sense of inferiority and superiority at the same time drives my life in a different way that my husband does. The need to proof I’m good and maybe better than those born here had made me thrive among my peers but still with the feeling of I haven’t made it yet and always looking the errors in the process.

Great pop-psych, not so sure of ology part

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and makes a great audiobook, and I'm sure there are kernels of truth to the thesis, but you can tell they really cherry picked their data.

Good Book, however the last 3 hours were dry

Where does The Triple Package rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've only listened to around 5 audiobooks so far, I would rank The Triple Package one of the top threes.

Any additional comments?

The ideas of the book are quite simple, thus the last 3 hours are kind of repetitive and not as interesting as the first few hours. Overall a great book to listen to.

Fascinating premise

I think this is a book we should all be required to read and ponder. It is enlightening and insightful. I am not a Ph.D. and so will not attempt to judge the merit of the research and conclusions but it is hard to argue with the facts as they are presented here.

Compelling argument

Not as easy to read as Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother but more informative and evidence based. A good argument for pushing kids to achieve. I did find the use of the phrase "triple package" a bit repetitive.

This articulates my Mormon and Armenian upbringing.

Why did such a well researched book need to include the F word so many times? What were you thinking Harvard grad?
The phrase "the triple package" is used far too frequently throughout each paragraph. The second edition should simply say "the package".
The second edition should include the
Second generation of "Depression kids".