For Callahan, self-interest is the key word. Excessive self-interest is what is ailing us - in business, government, and yes, even in the American family. And he makes a compelling case. Focusing on some alarming trends and statistics (in divorce, media violence, education, white-collar crime, increased aggression in children, etc. ) he argues that these issues should compel us all to meet in the middle, work on solutions, and to stop putting so much time, money, and energy into age-old cultural divides that inhibit the country from moving forward on issues that affect Americans, especially American families, today. He argues that in some cases old solutions are proving not to be working.

Callahan is not a fist-shaking liberal. On the contrary, his writing reflects thoughtfulness and civic concern. Scratch the subtitle of the book and the quasi-guidebook-for-liberals tone interjected throughout, and this book could have reached a wider audience who are seriously concerned about some of the sociological ills of the day. The author provides plenty of food for thought.

From the back cover: ... it's a sense that selfishness and greed are careening out of control, that we can't protect our children from a violent and consumeristic culture, that double standards of responsibility exist for rich and poor, and that nobody call us to any greater purpose.

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