On Thinking for Yourself - (Atlantic Editions) by Caitlin Flanagan (Paperback)

About the Book

"Caitlin Flanagan's decade of celebrated reporting and commentary at The Atlantic spans an array of subjects-from cancer to fraternities, and abortion to scammers-but throughout, she sensitively asks one central question: What happens when we suppress our critical instincts and shut our ears to opposing opinions and competing facts? With poise, humor, and an analytical acumen unlike any other working journalist, this collection of deep reporting and cultural commentary encourages readers to dismantle their echo chambers-whether social media feeds or lecture halls-and embrace disagreement"--

Book Synopsis

"A great addition to the ongoing discourse around the value of perspective-taking, perfect for those hoping to elevate the approach to conversations about difficult subjects." --Shelf Awareness

Seven essays that make the compelling case for coming to your own informed conclusions in an age of extremes. An Atlantic Edition, featuring long-form journalism by Atlantic writers, drawn from contemporary articles or classic storytelling from the magazine's 165-year archive.

Caitlin Flanagan's two decades of celebrated reporting and commentary at The Atlantic span an array of subjects--from cancer to fraternities, abortion to scammers--but always return to one central question: What happens when we suppress our critical instincts and shut our ears to opposing opinions and competing facts? With poise, humor, and an analytical acumen unlike any other working journalist, this collection of deep reporting and cultural commentary encourages readers to dismantle their echo chambers--whether they be social media feeds or lecture halls--and embrace disagreement.

Review Quotes

"Caitlin Flanagan is known for her willingness to engage thorny subjects in unconventional ways. Her ability to set aside preconceived notions and objectively engage a subject is on full display in On Thinking for Yourself: Instinct, Education, Dissension. . . . A great addition to the ongoing discourse around the value of perspective-taking, perfect for those hoping to elevate the approach to conversations about difficult subjects." --Sara Beth West, Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Caitlin Flanagan has written for The Atlantic since 2001 and she is a former staff writer for the New Yorker. Her subjects have included modern family life; college admissions; adolescence; sexuality; and the culture wars. Her essays have been widely anthologized, including in the Best American Essays, Best American Travel Writing, and Best American Magazine Writing series. She is the author of two books, To Hell with All That and Girl Land. She was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize and she has won a National Magazine Award for Reviews and Criticism. Flanagan grew up in Berkeley and now lives in Los Angeles. Before becoming a writer, she was an English teacher and college counselor at Harvard-Westlake school.