David Brooks' The Second Mountain receives praise for its inspiring and thought-provoking examination of personal growth and community engagement. Critics appreciate Brooks' insightful narrative but some note it can be overly idealistic and lacking in practical guidance. Overall, it's a stimulating read on finding deeper meaning in life.

A reader who would enjoy The Second Mountain by David Brooks is typically introspective, values personal growth, and is seeking a deeper sense of purpose beyond individual success. Comparable to readers of Viktor Frankl’s Man's Search for Meaning or Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly, they appreciate thoughtful, philosophical exploration of life’s higher values and societal contributions.

The Second Mountain by David Brooks outlines a life philosophy contrasting the pursuit of individual achievement (the first mountain) with a deeper, more communal and committed life (the second mountain). Brooks discusses four main commitments—vocation, marriage, philosophy/faith, and community—as pathways to self-transcendence and personal growth, ultimately advocating for a shift from individualism to relationalism. The book includes discussions of divorce and personal trauma.

David Brooks

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Second Mountain reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Second Mountain | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Second Mountain and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Second Mountain Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Second Mountain Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Two Mountains”

Introduction and Part 1, Chapters 1-4

The Second Mountain Introduction and Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-8

The Second Mountain Part 1, Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Vocation”

Part 2, Chapters 9-13

The Second Mountain Part 2, Chapters 9-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Marriage”

Part 3, Chapters 14-18

The Second Mountain Part 3, Chapters 14-18 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Philosophy and Faith”

Part 4, Chapters 19-22

The Second Mountain Part 4, Chapters 19-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Community” 

Part 5, Chapters 23-25

The Second Mountain Part 5, Chapters 23-25 Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

The Second Mountain Key Figures

theme

Themes

The Second Mountain Themes

Index of Terms

The Second Mountain Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

The Second Mountain Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Second Mountain Essay Topics

The Second Mountain

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Second Mountain?

Reading Age

Book Details