Taking the metaphor from evolutionary biologist Elisabet Sahtouris, American sociologist Slater (The Pursuit of Loneliness) compares Western culture to a caterpillar dissolving itself and being dissolved at the same time, so it can remake itself as a butterfly. His goal is to help readers understand the metamorphosis taking place, ease the discomfort during the time of transition, and adapt to changes that are both inevitable and necessary. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

In a classic indictment of American individualism and isolationism, Philip Slater analyzes the great ills of modern society—violence, competitiveness, inequality, and the national 'addiction' to technology.