Wow.  I’m honestly not sure what I think of Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010. I really liked it, but it sure made me uncomfortable. Which is probably what author Charles Murray wanted.

Murray has written an amazing study on how the state of white America has changed in the last 50-years, and it’s impossible to argue with the statistics the author has gathered. But some of the conclusions drawn from that information is disconcerting. His thoughts are generating a ton of controversy, and the book is getting a lot of attention. But it is not a “I’m going to say outrageous things and get attention” kind of book. It’s well researched and well written, and it builds a strong case for the authors perspectives.

First, let’s deal with the idea of “white America.” Murray isn’t being racist here. He’s focusing on the statistical changes in income, lifestyle, values, and practices of whites in America over the last 50-years. His point is not to exclude minorities but to instead focus on the majority, and to better understand how that majority has changed. And what it means for the whole of America. By separating out Black and Hispanic America, Murray can starkly lay out the unique cultural shifts that have occurred in this country over the last half century. It gives the book a unique sociological focus.

The basic conclusion he reaches is that there are two states of white America. They are the working class (specifically the bottom 30% who, at most, hold a high school degree) and what Murray calls the cognitive class (the upper 20% who have, at least, a college degree). Today the differences between the two are stark: education is different (GED vs competitive college entrance exams), tastes are different (Whole Foods vs the local drive-thru), lifestyles are different (American Idol vs daily Pilates), faith is different (this one surprised me because the rich are just as religiously inclined as before whereas the working class have left churches in droves), differing work habits (more of the lower class on disability than at any time in history vs 60-80 work weeks for some executives), viewpoints about births outside of marriage are different (teen pregnancy vs having kids in our 30’s or even older), and on and on…the list is very long.

Just as importantly, the two groups rarely interact. Murray uses a combination of statistics and anecdotal evidence to explain this. It’s a compelling conclusion that depresses me.

Where Murray become controversial and begins to make people feel uncomfortable is when he prescribes some solutions. At one point he says the cognitive class have the ingredients to a successful life. He comes close to saying that if you get all the education you can, don’t have kids outside of marriage, don’t get divorced, and work long hours, you will be successful. Period. And he blames the cognitive class for not sharing this methodology, as if it is a secret ingredient that they/we refuse to divulge for fear of being elitist or judgmental (he points out the irony of that).

This is a fascinating book and one that would be great for a book club. I say that because it’s the kind of book you need to talk through to fully grasp. And it is controversial, so the conversation would be stimulating. I liked the book — a lot — but can easily understand how some had their feathers ruffled.

If you do read it, let me know what you think. I’d love to hear your perspective!