The Fourth Great Awakening and the Future of Egalitarianism - Softcover

"To take a trip around the mind of Robert Fogel, one of the grand old men of American economic history, is a rare treat. At every turning, you come upon some shiny pearl of information." - The Economist "Ideologically refreshing...Fogel's book is remarkable for weaving insights from history, religion, biology, nutrition, demography, economics and even a field called 'technophysio evolution' into an integrated perspective that suggests how the priorities of today's left and right might meld into a powerful new egalitarian agenda to complete the nation's unfinished business." - Matthew Miller, New York Times Book Review "A bold and fascinating argument....Fogel uses the idea of egalitarianism, which he calls our 'national creed,' to see cultural and social transformation through a political lens. If that sounds complicated - and it is - don't worry. Mr. Fogel is equal to his task." - Susan Lee, Wall Street Journal

In this broad-thinking and profound piece of history, Robert William Fogel synthesizes an amazing range of data into a bold and intriguing view of America's past and future - one in which the periodic Great Awakenings of religion bring about waves of social reform, the material lives of even the poorest Americans improve steadily, and the nation now stands poised for a renewed burst of egalitarian progress.