Once upon a time was Middletown (Lynds). Now there is Murray's Coming Apart. It has extensive statistical and graphical elaboration of his premise. Murray's premise that increasing class separation of United States into an upper class and a lower class with unique responses to the unifying forces of our "exceptionalism" threaten that exceptionalism. If that uniqueness weakens and disappears the consequences will be destructive of the elements of the good life that have been and, though weakening, disappearing. So contends Murray.

Many of this book's reviews will attempt to disprove the premise by minimal attacks of minor significance while avoiding its breadth and depth. What will be lost, if my regrets prove to be correct, will be the dialogue that is implicit in the book. Murray's writing is clear; his evidence impressively relevant and convincing. I would hope that the potential that should (yes, judgmental) be forthcoming motivates enough individuals to respond constructively to halt the decline upward that Murray argues faces us--or, at least to discuss it dispassionately.

Read it, darn you, read it!