From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Social Animal and The Road to Character comes The Second Mountain, a moving exploration of what it means to lead a meaningful life amidst the rampant individualism that has become the defining ethos of our culture.

In The Second Mountain, the op-ed columnist for The New York Times describes a life defined by two mountains. We climb the first mountain to attain the goals our culture endorses—to be a success, to be well thought of, and to experience personal happiness. But then something happens.

Some people get to the top of that mountain and find it unsatisfying. Others get knocked off the mountain by a failure in their career, family, or reputation. For others, something unexpected happens that knocks them crossways, some life-altering tragedy that was not part of the original plan. For many, this becomes a turning point when they realize there is another bigger mountain out there.

If the first mountain is about building up the ego, defining the self, and acquisition, the second mountain is about shedding the ego, losing the self, and contribution.

Brooks argues that we as a society have to find our second mountain. This requires a shift in culture, values and philosophy that puts commitment making at the center of our lives, not individualism. Book signing to follow.