Deeply sourced with comprehensive and meticulously curated data, Bowling Alone tracks the precipitous decline in civic engagement in the United States.

Throughout the 1940's,50's,and 60's Americans were increasingly involved in their communities; they joined clubs, played in recreational sports leagues, were members of unions, frequented their churches and sat on committees. As a result, amongst many other benefits, they were more trusting of their neighbors, more likely to donate to charity and volunteer their time, and engage in democratic politics. But then, quite suddenly, Americans involvement in their communities dropped and has kept dropping until today. Unsurprisingly, we are lonelier and less connected than ever before.

As we face increasing income inequality, declining political participation, polarization, and the collective challenges we all face from a rapidly warming climate, Robert Putnam makes a convincing case that increasing civic engagement-from casual block parties to union membership-might be the antidote. And, because you can't host a dinner party by yourself or be the only member of a Parent Teacher Association, I would recommend this book to almost everyone.

I think the book is more "academic" than needs to be and I believe there are good counterarguments that he does not consider (what about all the literature on introversion being undervalued), but over all, I think I agree that we need more social capital and I think he makes a very good case that it's important enough to pursue as social policy

Perhaps ironically, I read much of this book on a flight in an effort to avoid conversation with my neighbors.

It is formulaic in that way nonfiction tends to be ("First we will examine X, then we will look at Y, and in my final chapter I will show that Z") but Putnam does show flashes of personality and charm throughout. The argument is well-supported with evidence, and it's not a Chicken Little "the sky is falling" piece. It's more like a judicious exploration of the benefits of community that we largely aren't tapping into as in days past.

3 stars out of 5.

More than any other
Book, Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone has given me a framework for understanding the social issues that arise out of our modern ways of living and socializing. This book is a gateway to fully understanding dozens of best-selling books about our world, that came after it.