A Generation of Sociopaths: How the Baby Boomers Betrayed America Hardcover – March 7, 2017

I would expect the reviews of this book to fall fairly evenly along generational lines, vis a vie, if you were born between 1940-1964 (Baby Boomers), you would tend to downrate this book and subsequently write off its author and main points as hogwash. Like the author, I belong to Generation X. Without question, the points raised by Gibney manage to connect all the missing dots I've had throughout my life as to why the world we currently live in sucks so much--and, more importantly, who is largely at fault.It would be fallacy and a generalization to label everyone in a group of people as bad or good. We've all heard of the "few bad apples" way of thinking and understand the logical implications contained therein. What Gibney does very well is draw connections to the leadership and the electorate. As he mentions, Hitler did not rise to power in a vacuum. There was a process involved. Likewise, Boomers did not simply fall victim to a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. No, they went to the polls, stayed silent, spoke out, raised families, lived life, and impressed their way of thinking onto legislation, policy, legacy, etc. Gibney posits that Boomers were gifted with an economy that was always healthy, growing, and optimistic. They grew up thinking success comes easy, growth is expected, and America is exceptional. They never knew want or struggling the way the Greatest Generation knew. Dr. Spock told their moms and dads to indulge them, let them do as they want, find their own way--and they did. Now we are left with a War on Drugs, Citizens United, and a Great Recession, just to name a few.I know this is controversial. I know there will be pushback against the author and his theses. However, you have to take a sober look at the evidence presented and draw conclusions based solely on the data in its totality. Taken individually, each of his chapters and the support offered could look like mere generational name-calling and blame-shifting on a large scale. But a careful and systematic examination will reveal conclusions far beyond mere coincidence and wishful thinking. This book features some things critically missing from much of today's discourse--facts, footnotes, and credible sources. And the evidence is hard to argue against.I am not surprised that many of the -1, -2, and -3 star ratings for this book come from those who have either 1. not purchased the book or 2. haven't read it. It comes as no surprise to me that the same generation who brought us instant gratification, "alternative facts," and the Laffer Curve would turn out en masse to express their righteous indignation toward a book that exposes them for who they really are--criminals, liars, and sociopaths.However, I have to give credit where it is due. As a generation, they have rallied around a common cause (spoiler alert--entitlements), set forth clearly defined goals (the rise to absolute political domination and the retention of power), and accomplished much of what they set forth to do (leaving the tab to my generation and everyone else following). The Boomers' pièce de résistance? Check the math here; It is no accident that Social Security will have to be cut significantly after 2034.The rest of "Us" should be outraged. These "Others" have reaped a windfall of profits and left their kids and grandkids holding the bill. Gibney cautions against sanctioning the Boomers for their crimes, which is about as magnanimous a position as I can imagine knowing the depth and magnitude of the wreckage they have left behind for us to clean up.

Mr. Gibney deserves tremendous credit for having the courage to bring to light what so many have tried to sweep under the rug. No doubt there will be harsh critics of the book in the Boomer cohort, the generation that Mr. Gibney provides irrefutable evidence against that should set alarm bells off in the mind of anyone who's smart and brave enough to face the facts. Page after page, mind-boggling statistics and proof of reckless abandon are set down, explained and analyzed, with the potential (or in some cases, inevitable) consequences written in a manner that can only be described as an effective way to heighten the reader's blood pressure. Our society has been hijacked by a generation of Americans who inherited an imperfect but quite good system from their parents and selfishly gave rise to a system that is entirely malleable such that the Boomers (who dominate government, regulatory authorities and positions of power) have and will continue to pamper themselves at the expense of their children and grandchildren. Social security, Medicare, and practically any entitlement worth mentioning have been directed towards one group of beneficiaries, the Boomers, leaving younger generations with an almost hopeless outlook for their own financial well being and quality of life. The book is designed to turn on the lights and expose the problems in a clear and honest way, supported by cold hard facts, and provide a dose of optimism by suggesting well-thought-out, sensible and attainable changes that can be made NOW to avoid some of the bigger catastrophes that await on the horizon. You will not regret reading this book, regardless of your political views, as the picture unveiled by Mr. Gibney transcends politics to warn us of severe consequences unless petty differences are set aside and collaborative action is taken to avoid the collision that in every conceivable way is several orders of magnitude above the Titanic tragedy, an apt parallel but one that doesn't come close to the societal impact we are facing ignorantly, for as Winston Churchill once said, the truth is so precious that it must always be surrounded by a bodyguard of lies. The lies younger generations have been fed are inexcusable and the truth is disgusting.

To be clear, I have not yet finished this book. Having said that, I have to say it is one of the best essays on the political climate we now find ourselves in today.While many may object based on the title, it's important to understand that the author is NOT saying that all *individual* Baby Boomers are sociopath. Perhaps an anology can help. Individuals are mostly law abiding and relatively intelligent. Mobs are not. But *mobs* are mafe up of individuals acting in a way they normally would not because the presence of others enables individuals to cast off moral restraints.Full of verifiable data, this book is dense (hence only 4 stars.) It's not a 1-sitting read and you'll find yourself looking up words and concepts (unless you're an accountant, tax expert, financial analyst, etc.) But it's worth the effort.Started prior to the 2016 presidential election, the author is savvy enough to incorporate actions of the current administration into the book where possible, but doesn't try to force-fit current events into a pre-existing thesis.There are a multitude of books on the impact of different generations in the workplace. This is the first to look at the impact of a single generation on the future of the United States.At this point in the book (chapter 12,) no solutions have been provided yet the answer is clear: for change to happen, younger generations (Gen X, Y and Millenials) need to start running for office before those who have been in and currently are in political power irrevocably damage our world.I do hope to either amend this review, or write another when I finish the book.

This book is an interesting take on the policy choices and decisions of the last few decades . I recommend this book for those interested in short term vs long term impacts of policy.

I greatly enjoyed this book, even if I don't agree with everything in it. One issue that I noticed early on is that the author seems to absolve the boomer generation outside of the USA of the guilt of what they have done. This is unfair as here in Europe, the older generations have done fine work in setting up a disaster.That aside, this is a well written and very readable book. The tone is not bitter in the least, and I feel that the writer merely wants to convey what he believes to be true. I recommend this!