American Paradise: Hidden Ironies, Contradictions, Illusions, and Delusions, Paradoxes, Dilemmas, and Absurdities in American Life

“…it forces the reader…to examine all of his of her shortcomings and false truths that are constantly placed in our minds by society, ourselves, the media. American Paradise is effective because it is real. All of the irony and contradictions that swirl around us everyday…are clearly identified in the text so that an honest, hard look can be taken not only on society, but on the individual reading it.” ―Stephanie D. Lee

“[Huer] is a very effective social critic….He only wants to open our eyes to the path our society is heading and with that purpose in mind, he wholeheartedly accomplishes his goal.” ―Robin Koch

“American Paradise describes…what America is today and where she will be tomorrow.” ―Robin Addison

“[Huer] forces the readers to hold up a mirror to themselves and begin asking questions about the society in which we live.” ―Jolene Beliecki

“Stunning, provocative, wonderfully appropriate in [its] aptly compressed expression of the central, radical, profoundly original, and brilliant themes developed…. Will stand the test of time as magisterial monuments of the sociological imagination.” ―Richard Dowling, American History and English teacher at University Of Maryland, University College

“[Huer’s] approach is successful in achieving the goal of presenting to us the reality from which we constantly escape by tearing down the back drop of American society, and forcing reality upon us. It is harsh and unpleasant, and forces us to think…” ―Jared Reyes

Jon Huer received his Ph.D. from UCLA in 1975 and is professor of sociology at the University of Maryland University College. He has written a dozen books of social criticism, including The Wages of Sin,Tenure for Socrates, and also The Dead End, which TIME Magazine’s Lance Morrow called “an important and often brilliant book.”