David Riesman
David Riesman (1909–2002) was a prominent American sociologist, educator, and best-selling commentator on American society. He is best known for his 1950 work 'The Lonely Crowd: A Study of the Changing American Character,' in which he explored the social character of post-World War II American society and the effects of consumerism, media, and technology on individuals. Riesman's work had a significant influence on the field of sociology and the way American culture and identity were understood in the mid-20th century.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Lonely Crowd
The book in question is a seminal work in sociology that explores the changing nature of social character in post-World War II America. It posits that societal shifts have led to the predominance of an "other-directed" personality type, where individuals' values and behaviors are largely shaped by peer groups and media influences, rather than by inner-directed principles based on tradition and individual conscience. This transformation, the book argues, has profound implications for democracy, as it affects the way people conform to societal expectations, how they achieve personal fulfillment, and their capacity for independent thought and action.
The 3266th Greatest Book of All Time
