THE BROKEN HEARTH Reversing the Moral Collapse of the American Family

Though claiming to rise above the jeremiads we hear on the decline of the family in America, Bennett's tone and selection of material make it hard not to fixate on his unhappiness. His point is valid enough--that our weakening commitment to marriage is harming future generations. Failing to practice denial and discipline, he says, especially sexually, create costs for children and society. While some of his ideas are constructive, the overriding message is that anything short of the traditional family is self-indulgent and wrong. He supports his views with the bleakest cultural statistics and worst cases of pornography in the media. Eric Park's neutral tone and unobtrusiveness reduce some of Bennett's edginess and make this a good listen for anyone who likes his approach to these important issues. T.W. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]