Too Much of a Good Thing:
Raising Children of Character in an Indulgent Age
New York Times bestselling author Dan Kindlon’s book on the effect of a materialistic, consumer-
oriented society, and emotionally needy parents, on a generation of children -- based on original
research (Miramax, 2001).
Wapner's roles: Collaborator, Editing
From the Acknowledgments:
“My deepest gratitude goes to Kenneth Wapner, my personal editor. He is a fine wordsmith,
collaborator, and friend. He helped me turn my academic prose into something readable, forced me t
continue work on the flow, structure, and organization of the text beyond the point at which I would
have normally thrown in the towel, and continually challenged me to clarify my thinking.”
• Sold in foreign territories.
“This is an age of indulgence, with unparalleled consumer wealth. Parents who feel guilty about the
time invested in their careers buy computers, telephones, and televisions to amuse their children.
Parents want to shield and shelter children from life's adversities be they punishment by school
administrators or chastisements by coaches. Kindlon outlines the seven deadly syndromes of
overindulgence and advises parents on how to curb their impulses and develop responsibility and
resourcefulness in their children. This is must reading for parents, those guilty of overindulgence and
those in denial.”
--Booklist
"Eye-opening...It beautifully explains the rationale between being a good parent first and a good
friend second."
-- Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of HIghly Effective People
"Must-read for all parents in its suggested techniques, tools, and practical advice for raising children
of conscience and character..."
-- Joan Gantz Cooney, originator of Sesame Street and co-Founder of Sesame Workshop
"Written with conviction, backed up by empirical evidence, and illustrated with vivid anecdotes."
-- Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction and Worry
"The book that all of us who deal with children in this millennium want in the hands of every parent!"
--JoAnn Deak, author of How Girls Thrive