Brooks utilizes scientific/sociological studies and experiments to create a story about a fictional couple, Harold and Erica. The book begins with the courtship of Harold’s parents, Rob and Julia, and then follows Harold and his future wife, Erica, from childhood to old age. There are many forays into how the brain works and what compels people to make the choices they do. The narrative is always compelling and, in typical David Brooks fashion, humorous and objective. I adore David Brooks almost as much as I adore sociological data so I was predisposed to like this book.

Erica is a vibrant and clearly defined character; I could understand her motivations and reconcile them with her life experience. Certain episodes in Harold’s early life are given wide attention, but his late childhood/preadolescent years aren’t covered at all so the reader isn’t told how he overcame them. I never really got a sense of how he became who he became. The life stages of every character are presented as taking place contemporaneously, and my linear brain has issues with that. Although this is a composite character study, I wanted to know more about what happened to Harold’s and Erica’s parents.

The volume of research required to write this book is mind boggling, and the book itself is fascinating.