The Second Mountain

When did we stop connecting with other people? David Brooks argues that we can only solve our crisis of meaning at an emotional and moral level.

Are you on your first or second mountain? Is life about yourself or others? Are you self-improving or committed?

Mainstream culture teaches us that human beings pursue our self-interest - money, power, fame. But at some point in our life we might discover that we're not interested in what other people tell us to want. We want to want the things that are truly worthy of wanting. At this point, you have moved to your second mountain.

What does it mean to elevate your desires, to look beyond consumption and find a moral cause? To forget about independence and discover dependence - to be utterly enmeshed in a web of warm relationships? What does it mean to want intimacy, devotion, responsibility and commitment above individual freedom? In The Second Mountain David Brooks explores the meaning and possibilities that scaling a second mountain offer us, and the four commitments that most commonly move us there: family, vocation, philosophy and community. Inspiring, personal and full of joy, this is the start of a deeper journey into the world.

About the Author

David Brooks' fourth volume of short fiction, Napoleon's Roads, is in the late stages of preparation, as is his second novel, The Umbrella Club. His most recent book is Walking to Point Clear, a collection of poetry. He teaches Australian Literature at the University of Sydney, and is co-editor of Southerly.