James D. Wright is an author, educator, and the Provost's Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology at the University of Central Florida. He has published 28 books and research monographs, and more than 300 journal articles, book chapters, essays, reviews, and polemics.

• Preface Chapter 1. Greed: The Basis of Capitalist Society Chapter 2. Gluttony: The Sociology and Economics of Overconsumption Chapter 3. Lust: The Sexualization of Society Chapter 4. Sloth: The Besetting Sin of the Age? Chapter 5. Anger: I’m Mad as Hell and I am Not Going to Take it Anymore Chapter 6. Envy: Keeping Up with the Joneses, the Smiths, and Everyone Else Chapter 7. Pride: Does Self-Esteem Solve Everything? Anything? Chapter 8. Concluding Observations References

James D. Wright’s Lost Souls is a remarkable reflection on the shifting moral landscape of contemporary America; wherein, the seven deadly sins of lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, anger, envy and pride have seemingly been transformed into virtuous ideals. It is a must read for those of us grappling with the moral foundations of the Trump era. Darren E. Sherkat, Southern Illinois UniversityJames D. Wright gives a clear view and analysis of contemporary culture and morality with insights in every chapter. His writing is so engaging – and often funny – that you don’t realize how much you are learning about sociological theory and social history until after you have finished a chapter. Every chapter illuminates Biblical injunctions and modern norms, social science research and its interpretation, and contemporary society. Murray Webster, Professor of Sociology, University of Charlotte This erudite and fascinating book summarizes a broad swatch of sociological research as it shows convincingly that what some might regard as sinful may also be socially necessary. Arne L. Kalleberg, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill