Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging

Sebastian Junger

May 2016 · Sold by Twelve

About this ebook

We have a strong instinct to belong to small groups defined by clear purpose and understanding--"tribes." This tribal connection has been largely lost in modern society, but regaining it may be the key to our psychological survival.

Decades before the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin lamented that English settlers were constantly fleeing over to the Indians-but Indians almost never did the same. Tribal society has been exerting an almost gravitational pull on Westerners for hundreds of years, and the reason lies deep in our evolutionary past as a communal species. The most recent example of that attraction is combat veterans who come home to find themselves missing the incredibly intimate bonds of platoon life. The loss of closeness that comes at the end of deployment may explain the high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by military veterans today.

Combining history, psychology, and anthropology, Tribe explores what we can learn from tribal societies about loyalty, belonging, and the eternal human quest for meaning. It explains the irony that-for many veterans as well as civilians-war feels better than peace, adversity can turn out to be a blessing, and disasters are sometimes remembered more fondly than weddings or tropical vacations. Tribe explains why we are stronger when we come together, and how that can be achieved even in today's divided world.

Ratings and reviews

I followed Junger's examinations of ideas in this book very closely and found myself highlighting quite a few passages. I couldn't agree more with his ideas, as a person who develops housing cooperative businesses for a living. Everything rang true for me and I now believe I am setting up mini tribes. I have heard others say that the book is short. I appreciate the brevity. I also appreciate the thought-provoking research.

Really touched home. As a veteran who misses the camaraderie of my combat team mates five years after I left the fight, this answers my questions why? It all makes sense. It also makes me sad for America and what we've become. This is a warning sign, lets fix this and get back to the time where we really cared about each other and start holding people accountable of not contributing to our tribal america.

I recommend this book as required reading for high school. I feel like it truly encapsulates our nature as human beings and sheds light on things we endure but fail to understand. Political topics were broached eloquently while avoiding the ever-tempting partisan blaming. As a soldier with 8 years of service I feel vindicated having read this book. I am honestly considering changing my life to try to find this communal feeling we tend to lack.

About the author

Sebastian Junger is the New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Storm and A Death in Belmont. He is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, and has been awarded a National Magazine Award and an SAIS Novartis Prize for journalism. He lives in New York City.