The Cul-de-Sac Syndrome Turning Around the Unsustainable American Dream

The roots of the worst housing bust in generations lie in the mythology of the American dream: buy as much house as possible, move away from urban centers, home prices will always go up, the schools are "better." The foundation of the dream itself is faulty; indeed, the desire that "every man have his castle" is bankrupting us. Today's crisis in home values is the least of suburbia's problems. The Cul-de-Sac Syndrome details the intimate connections between home ownership, economics, and the environment. John Wasik provides powerful insights into how the U.S. suburban lifestyle became unsustainable. Wasik's observations are firmly grounded in exclusive on-the-ground research, interviews with thought leaders, and the latest studies and statistics. He exposes the untold truths about home ownership: "green" isn't always so "green," life isn't cheaper after accounting for gas, water, and taxes, and modern suburban living isn't so idyllic considering the toll it takes on our health. However, some are attempting to revive suburbia, and Wasik shows us how. He offers insights into ways to improve our current lifestyle: eco-friendly communities, rebuilding and reclaiming inner cities, improvements in home design, and more.

John Wasik is a financial columnist for Bloomberg News and the author of several books. His book The Merchant of Power was praised by Studs Terkel and well reviewed by the New York Times. Wasik has won more than fifteen journalism awards, including several from the National Press Club. He has appeared on such national media as NBC, NPR, and PBS. He lives in Chicago.