Half American
In commemoration of Memorial Day, this week's review uncovers the experiences of African American soldiers in World War II and the impact of racism on their postwar lives.
Posted on in Review of the Week
How People Matter
To commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month, this week's review looks at how "mattering" impacts one's well-being, relationships, and community
Posted on May 2, 2022 in Review of the Week
How People Matter: Why it Affects Health, Happiness, Love, Work, and Society
Prilleltensky, Isaac. by Isaac Prilleltensky and Ora Prilleltensky Cambridge, 2021
348p bibl index, 9781108839013 $99.99, 9781108969246 $34.99, 9781108986069
The feeling that they are valued—that they matter—is a profound emotion that people yearn to realize in all areas of their lives. Isaac Prilleltensky (The Morals and Politics of Psychology, CH, Feb’95, 32-3582) and Ora Prilleltensky (both, Univ. of Miami) have authored a great many books and articles on well-being and here open a new conversation on mattering, supported by research and communicated through entertaining narratives. They assert that the feeling of mattering has a profound relationship to people’s physical and mental health, personal relationships, and the way they work. As they argue, recognition of mattering is a vital piece in positively transforming local, national, and global communities. Individuals might gain value or self-worth through joining significant social movements, such as the Black Lives Matter movement or the Great Resignation. Or they may side with authoritarianism and become participants in movements characterized by extremism, narcissism, nationalism, and other social phenomena that offer insiders a feeling of regained power or superiority. This book is a much-needed read for professionals, especially those in leadership positions, but ultimately for anyone who honors the importance of living a more meaningful life and nurturing a higher level of belonging during the current turbulent times.
Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. General readers.
Reviewer: J. E. Perez, University of Miami
Subject: Social & Behavioral Sciences – Psychology
Choice Issue: Jun 2022
Enjoy this week’s review? Check out more reviews of related titles:
- Pain Generation: Social Media, Feminist Activism, and the Neoliberal Selfie
- Parenting for a Digital Future: How Hopes and Fears about Technology Shape Children’s Lives
- What Do Dreams Do?
- Lost and Found: Young Fathers in the Age of Unwed Parenthood
- The Arc of Love: How Our Romantic Lives Change over Time
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