Author: | Daniel Akst | ISBN: | 9781101559307 |
Publisher: | Penguin Publishing Group | Publication: | December 27, 2011 |
Imprint: | Penguin Books | Language: | English |
Author: | Daniel Akst |
ISBN: | 9781101559307 |
Publisher: | Penguin Publishing Group |
Publication: | December 27, 2011 |
Imprint: | Penguin Books |
Language: | English |
" This elegantly written and useful book . . . describes how, for millennia, human beings have struggled to rein in desire." -USA Today
At a time when the fallout from reckless spending and unrestrained consumption is fueling a national malaise, Daniel Akst delivers a witty and comprehensive investigation of the central problem of our time: how to save ourselves from what we want. Temptation reminds us that while more calories, sex, and intoxicants are readily available than ever before, crucial social constraints have eroded, creating a world that sorely tests the limits of human willpower. Referencing history, literature, psychology, philosophy, and economics, Akst draws a vivid picture of the many-sided problem of desire-and delivers a blueprint for how we can steer shrewdly away from a campaign of self-destruction.
" This elegantly written and useful book . . . describes how, for millennia, human beings have struggled to rein in desire." -USA Today
At a time when the fallout from reckless spending and unrestrained consumption is fueling a national malaise, Daniel Akst delivers a witty and comprehensive investigation of the central problem of our time: how to save ourselves from what we want. Temptation reminds us that while more calories, sex, and intoxicants are readily available than ever before, crucial social constraints have eroded, creating a world that sorely tests the limits of human willpower. Referencing history, literature, psychology, philosophy, and economics, Akst draws a vivid picture of the many-sided problem of desire-and delivers a blueprint for how we can steer shrewdly away from a campaign of self-destruction.