The Second Mountain Book Summary

In 'The Second Mountain', David Brooks explores the transformative journey of finding purpose beyond personal success. He contrasts the pursuits of the first mountain—career, achievement, and ambition—with the deeper fulfillment found on the second mountain of community, commitment, and spirituality. Through poignant anecdotes and philosophical insights, Brooks reveals the significance of relationships and selflessness in leading a meaningful life. This thought-provoking narrative challenges readers to reflect on their own values and the quest for true happiness. Join Brooks on this enlightening expedition to discover what truly matters in the human experience.

By David Brooks

Published: 2019

"The most meaningful moments in life come from the connections we make with others, as we rise together to meet the challenges that define our values and purpose."

The Second MountainBook binding

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Book Review of The Second Mountain

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Everybody tells you to live for a cause larger than yourself, but how exactly do you do it? The author of The Road to Character explores what it takes to lead a meaningful life in a self-centered world. “Deeply moving, frequently eloquent and extraordinarily incisive.”—The Washington Post Every so often, you meet people who radiate joy—who seem to know why they were put on this earth, who glow with a kind of inner light. Life, for these people, has often followed what we might think of as a two-mountain shape. They get out of school, they start a career, and they begin climbing the mountain they thought they were meant to climb. Their goals on this first mountain are the ones our culture endorses: to be a success, to make your mark, to experience personal happiness. But when they get to the top of that mountain, something happens. They look around and find the view . . . unsatisfying. They realize: This wasn’t my mountain after all. There’s another, bigger mountain out there that is actually my mountain. And so they embark on a new journey. On the second mountain, life moves from self-centered to other-centered. They want the things that are truly worth wanting, not the things other people tell them to want. They embrace a life of interdependence, not independence. They surrender to a life of commitment. In The Second Mountain, David Brooks explores the four commitments that define a life of meaning and purpose: to a spouse and family, to a vocation, to a philosophy or faith, and to a community. Our personal fulfillment depends on how well we choose and execute these commitments. Brooks looks at a range of people who have lived joyous, committed lives, and who have embraced the necessity and beauty of dependence. He gathers their wisdom on how to choose a partner, how to pick a vocation, how to live out a philosophy, and how we can begin to integrate our commitments into one overriding purpose. In short, this book is meant to help us all lead more meaningful lives. But it’s also a provocative social commentary. We live in a society, Brooks argues, that celebrates freedom, that tells us to be true to ourselves, at the expense of surrendering to a cause, rooting ourselves in a neighborhood, binding ourselves to others by social solidarity and love. We have taken individualism to the extreme—and in the process we have torn the social fabric in a thousand different ways. The path to repair is through making deeper commitments. In The Second Mountain, Brooks shows what can happen when we put commitment-making at the center of our lives.

Book Overview of The Second Mountain

About the Book Author

D

David Brooks

David Brooks is a prominent American author, journalist, and cultural commentator best known for his insightful analysis of social and political issues. A long-time op-ed columnist for The New York Times, he combines personal narrative with cultural critique to explore morality, politics, and human behavior. Brooks has written several influential books, including "The Road to Character" and "The Second Mountain," which delve into themes of purpose and virtue in contemporary society. He is also a frequent speaker and panelist, contributing to public discourse on topics ranging from individual ethics to societal challenges. Through his work, Brooks encourages readers to reflect on their values and pursue a deeper sense of fulfillment.

Book Details

Key information about the book.

Authors
David Brooks
Published
April 2019
Publisher
Random House
ISBN
0812993268
Language
English
Pages
385
Genres
PhilosophySelf-HelpSpiritual GrowthPersonal Growth

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The most meaningful moments in life come from the connections we make with others, as we rise together to meet the challenges that define our values and purpose.

The Second Mountain

By David Brooks

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