Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging
“Humans don’t mind hardship, in fact they thrive on it; what they mind is not feeling necessary. Modern society has perfected the art of making people not feel necessary. It’s time for that to end.”
About This Book:
Published: 2016
Genre: Sociology, Psychology
Sebastian Junger noticed something strange: soldiers returning from war struggling more with coming home than active duty. And during major disasters like hurricanes or terrorist attacks, rates of depression and suicide actually dropped. Why would people miss the worst experiences of their lives?
Tribe explores our deep human need for close community and shared purpose. Junger argues that modern society with its comfort, safety, and individualism, has made us lonely in ways our ancestors never were. We evolved to live in tight-knit groups where everyone mattered and everyone contributed. When crisis forces us back into that mode, we often feel more alive and connected than in our isolated, comfortable lives.
Through anthropology, psychology, and his own reporting from war zones, Junger examines what tribal societies got right about human nature and what we've lost. He looks at why veterans struggle to reintegrate, why some people miss war, and what it says about us that catastrophe often brings out our best.
Perfect for readers who appreciate: Psychology, sociology, military issues, community, human nature, mental health, belonging
Why We Recommend This Book:
Tribe speaks to the loneliness and disconnection many of us feel but can't quite name. Junger suggests that the problem isn't us, but it’s that we're living in a way humans weren't designed for. We're isolated, our work feels meaningless, and we lack the tight bonds that made life bearable for most of human history.
This book resonates particularly if you've felt lonely despite being surrounded by people, wondered why modern life feels empty despite material comfort, or struggled to find genuine community. It's also essential reading for understanding why veterans have such a hard time coming home and what we owe them beyond thank-yous.
Junger doesn't romanticize tribal life or suggest we abandon modern society. But he does argue we need to find ways to recreate the belonging, shared purpose, and mutual dependence that make humans thrive. Without it, we're comfortable but miserable.
