Tribe
By Sebastian Junger
- Release Date: 2016-05-24
- Genre: Social Science
Description
We have a strong instinct to belong to small groups defined by clear purpose and understanding--"tribes." This tribal connection has been largely lost in modern society, but regaining it may be the key to our psychological survival.
Decades before the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin lamented that English settlers were constantly fleeing over to the Indians-but Indians almost never did the same. Tribal society has been exerting an almost gravitational pull on Westerners for hundreds of years, and the reason lies deep in our evolutionary past as a communal species. The most recent example of that attraction is combat veterans who come home to find themselves missing the incredibly intimate bonds of platoon life. The loss of closeness that comes at the end of deployment may explain the high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by military veterans today.
Combining history, psychology, and anthropology, Tribe explores what we can learn from tribal societies about loyalty, belonging, and the eternal human quest for meaning. It explains the irony that-for many veterans as well as civilians-war feels better than peace, adversity can turn out to be a blessing, and disasters are sometimes remembered more fondly than weddings or tropical vacations. Tribe explains why we are stronger when we come together, and how that can be achieved even in today's divided world.
Reviews
Wonderful book
5By NsolemnRecommend this book heavily, explains the human tendency to feel alone and that of veterans to come home and be out of place. Rooted in all division, people such as veterans find themselves alone and depressed. Extraordinary book.Absolutely an A+ Read!
5By FletcherHRThis book was recommended by my Company Commander during my time in the Marine Corps. It is a perfect take on what it looks like to be a part of a “Tribe” whether its in the military or in times of personal, economic, or political disasters.Insightful
5By Kenneth GlishThis was a good book. Reminded me of Guns, Germs, and Steel. I like books that dive into the human race and why we are the way we are. This is one of them.Great insight to social isolation
5By AppleBooks20I found this perspective interesting on how one can go through life in modern society and not have to interact with anyone. And because of this ability people only interact with those they choose to and this leads to some intense isolationIt’s like it was written for 2020
5By j0hn50n21Really compelling perspective on social divides and community. Highly recommend.Did not enjoy this book
1By trailrun71I didn’t enjoy reading this book. I found the concept intriguing but his writing seemed to jump around too much. Some of his points concerning ptsd I found to be in accurate.Good book
4By Bll51Junger has some tremendous points. A lot of good lessons on why we need the tribe in our life!Thought provoking
4By americanslaveIt’s an interesting theory to what ails modern society. Questions about how tribalism is both good and bad aren’t well elucidated. Rape is used as an example of a traumatic experience. I would challenge the author that victims of rape would be interested in consensual sex with loving partners after their assault. Thus, contradictory to the author’s POV, would cause serious problems downstream in life. I feel the way to apply the tribe mentality in current life is underdeveloped. If this is read as a thought provoking read, then it’s excellent. It was not something that I found useful beyond thought provoking and entertaining.Good read
5By Truck832In today’s times of political strife and separation within our country it identifies how we all can be a solution.A must read
5By Kevin B123Insightful, valuable perspective.Clear as Mud
4By RodonisleThe mud in the Grunt's clothes stays in spite of years of soap. Likewise the stains on his soul left by war. This author not only acknowledges the fact, but seeks out why, and makes it clear. Too bad the world that needs to hear his words, is deafened by the loss of tribe.Just a prelude
3By FlashinthepaanI’ve heard The author speak at length, both about this book and on other topics and I really like him. I did enjoy this book, but it’s not nearly long enough. I finished what I thought was the first section, the setup if you will, but to my dismay I found I had turned the last page. In that regard, I was fairly disappointed. What was contained in those scant chapters though was well written and interesting. I like his writing well enough and look forward to more from the other, but I need more. I needed this book to go somewhere and it simply didn’t. I’m fascinated by the topic covered and want to find more books dealing with this subject.Magnificent
5By Jr15790763I couldn't praise this work highly enough so I won't even try.Tribe
4By ExtremeCoutureShort & Sweet. Very compelling and on point.Enjoyed it
4By I am a kiteTrain by day joe rogan podcast by nightQuick read
5By ORGNL PRNKSTAGreat book and very quick to read. Like others have said, the author wrote this much like an article you would find in a magazine (actually, the author mentions that parts of this book have been published in magazines). The author did a great job explaining how the sense of community (tribe) directly correlates to the success of a society. I don't believe the author was as politically charged as others claim in other reviews. I highly recommend this book.Tribe
5By Fr. Don kirchner,CssrGreat insights into ancient wisdom in modern clothing. Needs to be read by all who are responsible for the well being of others - politicians, community leaders, business people, parents. The future quality of our human race in a globalized, capitalistic world depends upon it.A long article.
3By ShooterBob_SCIt was a VERY easy read. Seemed much like a long magazine article which the author stated he sourced from. About halfway thru, Junger's left leaning ideology simmers through. It isn't too heavy and was more a point of surprise than an intrusion. When he lays the total cost of things on a popular left view whipping boy instead of truly going all the way to the core & true source of the problem, the seminal event that set up the whole stage for the resultant failure, it left me to wonder if it were a lack of research work, a blind eye turned to the truth, or simply toeing the opinion line he prefers.
