As the echo of our Judeo-Christian heritage and advantages of previous generations fade, our incomes stagnate, debt explodes, and fitness wanes. China ascends and vital habitats deteriorate. Worst of all, by failing to convey critical perspectives and practices to our children, we place them in a weaker position than the previous generation for the first time in our history.

The author compares how Americans are doing relative to other populations, documents how we lost our way, and describes the cards nature deals us. He contrasts our instinctual operating system with the one needed for success in the modern world, reminds us of our need to be evolutionarily fit, and most importantly, delineates the Winning Practices that make this possible.