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The Death of Why?By: Andrea Batista Schlesinger A look at how Americans are losing their sense of curiosity and skepticism, and how some are working to change that. The spirit of inquiry is the engine of democracy. The democratic process is nothing less than citizens regularly asking what kind of society they want to live in and whom they want to lead them. But more and more people are avoiding the whole messy business of questioning. Americans are instead being
By: Andrea Batista SchlesingerA look at how Americans are losing their sense of curiosity and skepticism, and how some are working to change that.
The spirit of inquiry is the engine of democracy. The democratic process is nothing less than citizens regularly asking what kind of society they want to live in and whom they want to lead them. But more and more people are avoiding the whole messy business of questioning. Americans are instead being trained to look for ready-made answers, with potentially dire implications for the health of our society.
In this impassioned new book, Andrea Batista Schlesinger argues that we’re besieged by cultural forces that urge us to avoid independent thought and critical analysis. The media reduces politics to a spectator sport, focusing on polls and personalities rather than issues and ideas. Schools teach to standardized tests—students learn to fill in the bubbles, not open their minds. “Financial literacy” courses have replaced civics classes, graduating smart shoppers rather than informed citizens. Even the Internet promotes habits that discourage inquiry. Regurgitating search-engine results becomes a substitute for genuine research and reflection. Social networks promote connection rather than engagement. With all the information available online, over a third of those younger than twenty-five say they get no news on a typical day, up from twenty-five percent in 1998.
The situation isn’t hopeless. Batista Schlesinger spotlights individuals and institutions across the country that are working to renew a healthy sense of curiosity and skepticism, particularly in American’s youth. It is, at this point, an uphill battle but one well worth undertaking. The Death of “Why?” offers both a penetrating socio-cultural critique of our current path and a way forward for cultivating inquiry and reinvigorating our democracy.
“From her start in politics as a teenager Andrea Batista Schlesinger has asked the important questions. Now she asks her most important: are we teaching young people to value inquiry, and if not, what hope can we have for the future of democracy?”—Katrina vanden Heuvel, Publisher, The Nation
“The Death of “Why?” makes the case that we cannot create social change without a culture of questioning. We should pay close attention to this brilliant contribution.”—Deepak Bhargava, executive director, Center for Community Change
“She asks the right questions at a time when we seem more eager for answers that we don’t understand or care about.”—Deborah Meier, Senior Scholar, New York University, author of In Schools We Trust and The Power of Their Ideas, and founder of innovative New York and Boston area public schools
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4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 6 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Arm chair traveling on a cold winter retreat
Format: Paperback
This was the perfect book to get me back into reading! I’ve happily filled my evenings, transported to the John Muir Trail traveled by The Three Women. Your descriptions of such an immense beauty and reflections of your personal journey were at times like being on the trail with you all!
An inspirational read!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2025
★★★★★ 4
A great tale of women trekking together
Format: Kindle
This is well -written, enjoyable to read, and like the three women on the trail as a reader you don't want it to end as they near the end of the JMT. Filled with beautiful descriptions of scenery, humorous retelling of some difficult days, and interesting encounters with other people. Even for the non-hiker this book is a fun read.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
★★★★★ 5
One of the best real life adventure stories ever.
Format: Paperback
An absolutely wonderful book. The author takes the reader on an amazing hike on the John Muir Trail. She & her two hiking companions experience vast natural beauty, physical demands, ferocious weather & accidents, but together they get to the trails end atop Mt Whitney. Her descriptions of the hike & the environment bring the reader right along with them. This is truly an amazing adventure tale & also the authors personal memoir. If you love the outdoors, hiking, mountains……or even if you don’t, this is an exciting read.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2025
★★★★★ 3
A natural storyteller
Format: Paperback
Three middle-aged women hike the mighty John Muir Trail, the crown jewel of California that covers over 200 miles of steep and rocky terrain in the Sierra. It was a big deal.
The 3-week wilderness trip extended over multiple, high-elevation passes, crossed roaring water and rose to the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous US at 14, 505 feet.
Griffin’s storytelling comes naturally and with ease. This inspirational, follow-your-dreams story is easy to feel surrounded by because of Griffin’s vivid writing. Luscious accounts of landscapes, macro details of the natural world and the knee-knocking, quad-stabbing terrain puts you, the reader, right there.
Conversely, the detailed prose is a huge liability in the pacing of this book. Mundane details are redundant as the book slogs on. Long descriptions overtake the read and the focus stays superficial. I would have liked much more character development, and better cadence and dialogue.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2026
★★★★★ 5
My Favorite Camino Read To Date
Format: Kindle
I have read dozens of Camino retellings. This, by Brad Chermside, is my most enjoyed. Brad is an excellent writer with no fear of exposing his insecurities and weaknesses, physical or social. His many metaphors are original and laugh-out-loud funny. He used several interesting writing techniques to keep me in suspense. The most effective being, from the start of the narrative, finding out if when he met the never met mystery woman, who was the catalyst for him beginning his journey, and he would click. It was eventually answered. Highly recommend the book. Hat's off to Mr Chermside on an excellent read.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020
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