The Road to Character
by David Brooks
The Road to Character by David Brooks holds a well received rating of 3.66 out of 5, based on 10.6K reader ratings. First published in 2015. The book spans 320 pages.
About The Road to Character
“I wrote this book not sure I could follow the road to character, but I wanted at least to know what the road looks like and how other people have trodden it.”—David Brooks With the wisdom, humor, curiosity, and sharp insights that have brought millions of readers to his New York Times column and his previous bestsellers, David Brooks has consistently illuminated our daily lives in surprising and original ways. In The Social Animal, he explored the neuroscience of human connection and how we can flourish together. Now, in The Road to Character, he focuses on the deeper values that should inform our lives. Responding to what he calls the culture of the Big Me, which emphasizes external success, Brooks challenges us, and himself, to rebalance the scales between our “résumé virtues”—achieving wealth, fame, and status—and our “eulogy virtues,” those that exist at the core of our being: kindness, bravery, honesty, or faithfulness, focusing on what kind of relationships we have formed. Looking to some of the world’s greatest thinkers and inspiring leaders, Brooks explores how, through internal struggle and a sense of their own limitations, they have built a strong inner character. Labor activist Frances Perkins understood the need to suppress parts of herself so that she could be an instrument in a larger cause. Dwight Eisenhower organized his life not around impulsive self-expression but considered self-restraint. Dorothy Day, a devout Catholic convert and champion of the poor, learned as a young woman the vocabulary of simplicity and surrender. Civil rights pioneers A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin learned reticence and the logic of self-discipline, the need to distrust oneself even while waging a noble crusade. Blending psychology, politics, spirituality, and confessional, The Road to Character provides an opportunity for us to rethink our priorities, and strive to build rich inner lives marked by humility and moral depth. “Joy,” David Brooks writes, “is a byproduct experienced by people who are aiming for something else. But it comes.”
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | David Brooks |
| Published | 2015 |
| Pages | 320 |
| Kindle Price | $12.99 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Psychology, Self-Help, Biography & Memoir |
| Average Rating | 3.66 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 10,648 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Road to Character?
The Road to Character is categorized as Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Psychology, Self-Help. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is The Road to Character worth reading?
Based on 10.6K reader ratings, The Road to Character has an average score of 3.66 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Road to Character?
The Road to Character has 320 pages.
Who wrote The Road to Character?
The Road to Character was written by David Brooks. It was first published in 2015.
What is the ISBN for The Road to Character?
The ISBN-13 for The Road to Character is 9780812993260.0.
How much does The Road to Character cost on Kindle?
The Road to Character is available on Kindle for $12.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
