Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America by Jane Borden

Finally, a proper five star read. This was one of the best and smartest books I've read in a while. If I had to describe it in just two words, I'd say, "America. Explained." But GR generously affords their readers and reviewers many words, so here we go ...

The US is unique, even amid the other first-world countries. It has been explained in flattering terms like exceptionalism, determination, drive, etc. and less flattering terms like ... greed, egotism, etc.
But Jane Borden hits the nail just right by describing it as a cult. It makes so much sense. An alarming amount of sense. And once you'll read this book, you'll have a difficult time thinking of it in any other way. Which is perfectly appropriate for a cult, of course.

So, welcome to cult Borden, ruled by intelligence, humor, erudition, and compassion. Learn all about how a country settled by Puritans held onto its repressive values and later adapted them for a future where rampant inequality, obsession with money, and gung-ho individualism devolved into an unhappy doomsday cult, desperately seeking to hang all its hopes and dreams on impossible promises.
Abandon all logic, ye who enter here.

This book was a result of five years of work for the author and it shows in the meticulous research and complete mastery of the subject.  She makes her arguments strongly and compellingly, and they are presented well through excellent and wonderfully humorous writing.
Yes, she turns into a stoner hippie Pollyanna at the end, which seemed a bit incongruous with the tone and findings of the book, but aside from that, it's a really great read. Moreover, an important one. Recommended.  Thanks Netgalley.