I am not an academic so it took me a while to get passed the data but I found the book interesting as I have many conversations with my Gen Z young adults (I am apparently a Gen X) and I can see the differences in us so I wanted to learn as much as I can.

This book gave me an insight but a bit too heavy for me.

I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Very interesting and well presented book on the different generations, what binds us all together and provides tools to challenge our biases.

Sorry for the delay in getting this review out. I found this book interesting, engaging and thought provoking in parts.
I do believe when we were born shapes who we become, in the same way where we are born adds to that shape.
I recommend this read with an open heart and mind.

I would struggle to be able to review this book due to issues with the file/download. The issues stopped the flow of the book. The issues are:
- Missing words in the middle of sentences
- Stop/start sentences on different lines
- No clear definition of chapters.

Not sure if it was a file/download issue but there were lots of gaps and stops/starts which really ruined the flow. I would love the chance to read a better version as the description of the book appeals to me. I would be more than happy to re-read the book with a better file or as a physical book as the book topic and genre are of interest to me. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

This is a good exploration of how stereotypical assumptions of particular generations can be completely wrong upon examination of the data.

Loved this, a real interesting critical analysis of generational myths and truths, filled with facts, statistics and well etched arguments.

I love this type of book which combines sociology with more advanced metrics. This was no exception, the evidence was laid out clearly and some startling conclusions were made

A really interesting and informative read. As a big fan of non fiction this was just my type of read. Gave me a lot to think about.

Well researched and fantastically detailed. It made me look at a number of my own assumptions in a critical light. Fascinating book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found this a very well researched book about generations from a sociological perspective. The books look at the idea that there is more that brings the generations together, than divides them. Considering the global perspective of ongoing trends across and within the generations.

The book was written to enable commentary on the Global pandemic and how this affects the popular as a whole.

Bobby Duffy also has a sense of humour that I can relate to and this was included within the book, as a fellow "middle child" Generation Xer. His observational one liners gave me a laugh.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the eARC of this book.

In the field of human gossip there no subject more discussed than the characteristics of the generations.
We all recall with nostalgia the stoicism of the war generation, the energy and change of the sixties, Thatcher's children and compare them with subsequent generations. These subsequent genration have bewildering new names and although its easy to tell whne the conversation is about baby boomers the next generations, X, Millenials, Y etc are less easy to pidgeonhole. Not only that but the attitudes and qualities of the various groups may be the subject of endless discussion but, as this useful book informs us, our preconceived opinions are almost invariably incorrect. Putting us right on the views, attitudes, prejudices and enlightenment of our children and even childrens children is a salutary experience that Bobby Duffy does with wit and skill. I, for one, felt a little chastened that assumptions that I had made were often wrong and that when the chips are down the newer generations and just as responsible and diligent as their seniors. This doesn't mean to say that that they aren't differnt: as de Tocqueville said," Each generation is a new people".

A thoroughly interesting book full of data and discussion on the different generations and using this to debunk our preconceptions.

I receive this as an ARC, and none of the graphs were filled in which would have made it more interesting to review the data in this way as it accompanied the descriptions.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

There's a lot of dissent and combativeness between generations set up in, mainly, the media. You might think the Baby Boomers have destroyed our financial prospects and pulled up the money drawbridge, leaving us younger folks to flail, or that Millennials are snowflakes - or that Generation Y are the amazing climate change activists who are going to save the world. None of that is quite true, as Duffy, a professor of public policy, uses a long cohort of data from 40 countries around the world to prove - he actively states he is aiming to debunk myths and find out truths. And he does this well and clearly, nicely footnoted with a good index.

My full blog review here: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2021/09/29/book-review-bobby-duffy-generations/

It was interesting to read about the differences between generations and their stereotypes. I found it interesting to see how young people were viewed and perceived by the older ones from Socrates days to modern days.

‘Generations: Does When You’re Born Shape Who You Are?’ by Bobby Duffy
challenges the stereotypes that treat each generation as an homogenous group. It is a thoroughly researched and referenced academic book, that is relevant and up to date covering the Covid pandemic and the culture wars. It also takes a wider view than just the US where generational theory originated and where much of the current writings seem located.

Duffy recognises that media commentary and the industry that has arisen around generations has reduced the different generational groups to a few behaviours and viewpoints. It has become a shorthand with which to praise or condemn a large cohort of people for their approach to issues whether it be climate change, housing, wealth or health. And he points out history has been recording divisions between the young and old dating back to Socrates.

Despite theses concerns, Duffy also recognises that generational theory has many benefits in that it helps understand demographic change and this is where the book is focused. Duffy concludes that he is hopeful that generational theory can move from the snowflake, astrological misinterpretations and be treated as a way of understanding and tackling the issues that confront us.

This is a book that looks at the big issues such as climate change but also recognises that generational theory gives us insight into other things that are just as important in future planning such as mental health and car ownership.

‘Generations’ is written in an accessible style with insight and humour and well illustrated with charts. I would recommend it to anyone interested in future scenario planning or who is looking for a more nuanced understanding of generations and the real differences between older and younger people.

I am very grateful to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting and thought provoking. This is a serious look at how and why we have changed generation by generation.

There has been a lot of talk in the media over the last decade or two about the different generations, with particular views and characteristics assigned to each. It sometimes seems as if a generational war is being engineered. Are things really so hostile between millennials and baby boomers? Why is gen X the forgotten generation? This book looks at the stereotypes to see if statistics back up the arguments.

I thought this was an engrossing read. There's so much partisan information out there, it was nice to read something more balanced about the generations. It was intriguing to see that sometimes where you were born influences your decisions and characteristics more than when you were born, and that we need to work at intergenerational cooperation to solve long term global problems. There were one or two things I picked up on in the ARC I read, yes being overweight means you have a higher risk of dying younger, but so does being underweight according to some studies. The author also talks about social media, porn, and the mental health of girls but for me, they don't tie it all together, especially in the wake of the worrying statistics that a large number of girls experience sexual harassment in schools. Overall though it was an interesting read about a current topic so I rate it 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Atlantic Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Are you a Millenial snowflake? A selfish Baby Boomer? A new book out today by Bobby Duffy ‘Generations: Does When You’re Born Shape Who You Are?’, aims to “separate the myths about different generations from reality”. Duffy states that much of that written about the difference between generations is stereotype and cliche and he sets out in this book to find out what shapes us as individuals, with the generation we are born into just one of the pieces of the story.

Growing separation between young and old, the changing nature of the economy, housing and healthcare inequality are all addressed and we learn that generations DO matter but it is not ALL that matters in understanding society. In fact emphasising generational differences can create false conflict and lack of communication between generations is more of a problem.

In addition, Duffy discusses the change in the ‘course of life’ with longer time in education, living at home in ‘delayed adulthood’ and that aspirations for property need better housing solutions. He advocates for a ‘Ministry of The Future’ but to learn what that is you’ll have to read the book!

Bobby Duffy is Director of The Policy Institute at King's College London and Professor of Public Policy and was formerly Global Director at Ipsos.

An interesting look at whether when we are born determines our attitudes. It includes a wide cross section and covers very topical areas such as climate change and Brexit. Enlightening.

Really interesting book, lots of info to take in!
This book is pretty dense and was a bit 'statistic' heavy at times so it took me while to get through it and I found myself having to re-read some sections too. I wonder if I listened to this on audiobook if I would have digested the information a bit better.

Overall a really interesting book, but just a little bit too 'heavy' at times.