ABSTRACT

Americans have become excessively fearful, and manipulation through fear has become a significant problem in American society, with real impact on policy. By using data from 9/11, this book makes a distinctive contribution to the exploration of recent fear, but also by developing a historical perspective, the book shows how and why distinctive American fears have emerged over the past several decades.

part |2 pages

Part I Establishing the Cause for Fear Excess

chapter 1|18 pages

Introducing Fear

chapter 2|32 pages

The Distinctiveness of American Fear

part |2 pages

Part II Causes and Contexts

chapter 3|8 pages

Searching for Causes

chapter 4|12 pages

The Roots of American Fear: Traditions

part |2 pages

Part III The Decisive Changes: Redefining Fear and Risk in Life and in Media

part |2 pages

Part IV The Exhaustion of War

chapter 9|6 pages

At Your Own Risk

part |2 pages

Part V Consequences and Remedies

chapter 11|24 pages

Conclusion: The Lessons of American Fear