A Nation of Strangers

by Vance Packard

3rd Printing, 1972, David McKay Company, Hardcover

Genres: Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Vance Oakley Packard was an American journalist and social critic. He was the author of several books, including The Hidden Persuaders and The Naked Society. He was a critic of consumerism.

Reviews

[Ronald Wise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though written nearly forty years ago, this book was probably a more interesting read now than it was then. Packard, then a well-read journalist and social critic, attempted to assess the impact of the increasing mobilization of American society. Through statistics, questionnaire and interviews he tried to assess the negative and positive effects on "high mobile" individuals and communities.

Of interest to me was the detailed snapshot his work captured of America in transition from the "good ole days" of stable communities and extended families living in proximity, to entire transient communities where residents have little contact with their roots or each other. The histories, economic factors, and population trends in the communities he examined went a long way in explaining the vast metropolitan complexes we live in today.

[Don Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This non-fiction book was written in 1972, but much of the information holds true today. Packard explains how the splintering of America has lead to negative effects for the entier nation. He explores not just the poor, but how continually moving has negative effects on the upper income families (and individuals). His anecdotal evidence is strong and extremely useful - they highlight exactly what he's trying to explore in each section and chapter. There are some amazing statistics and facts brought up, many of which still hold true, and have worsened. He does give ideas on how to bring some of these issues around.

[Hank Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The quality of a life in a society is affected by the ability to be mobile. Whatever the individual reactions, we are repulsing the ingredients of a civilized, salutary society. We are seeing a sharp increase in suffering alienation, or just feeling adrift, which is having an impact on emotional and even physical health. We then realize there is a substantial increase of the worlds inhabitants suffering a loss of community, identity, and continuity across humanity. Hank