Illustrating "conversational narcissism" with sample dialogues, this book analyses the pursuit of attention in conversation - as well as in politics and celebrity culture - and demonstrates the importance of gender, class, and racial differences in competing for attention.

In this second edition, featuring major new introductory and concluding essays, the author of "The Wilding of America" argues that the lack of social support in America causes people to hungrily vie for more attention. Analyzing the pursuit of attention in conversation, Derber illustrates "conversational narcissism" with sample dialogues.