An extremely helpful and clearly-written study of small-town America, based on many years of interviews and analysis by a leading Princeton sociologist. Wuthnow is a sympathetic and perceptive listener, even when he disagrees with those whom he’s interviewing. One of the recurring motifs of his study is that often small places and big places are more alike than we may think, but even so, the very fact that we often perceive them to be quite different matters significantly. Wuthnow discusses a wide range of topics, including community spirit, leadership, faith, work and money, and moral sentiments in small towns.