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Welcome to the United States of Anxiety
- Observations from a Reforming Neurotic
- Narrated by: Jen Lancaster
- Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins
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Welcome to the United States of Anxiety
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Publisher's Summary
A Wall Street Journal bestseller.
New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster is here to help you chill the hell out.
When did USA become shorthand for the United States of Anxiety? From the moment Americans wake up, we’re bombarded with all-new terrifying news about crime, the environment, politics, and stroke-inducing foods we’ve been enjoying for years. We’re judged by social media’s faceless masses, pressured into maintaining a Pinterest-perfect home, and expected to base our self-worth on retweets, faves, likes, and followers. Our collective FOMO, and the disparity between the ideal and reality, is leading us to spend more and feel worse. No wonder we’re getting twitchy. Save for an Independence Day-style alien invasion, how do we begin to escape from the stressors that make up our days?
Jen Lancaster is here to take a hard look at our elevating anxieties, and with self-deprecating wit and levelheaded wisdom, she charts a path out of the quagmire that keeps us frightened of the future and ashamed of our imperfectly perfect human lives. Take a deep breath, and her advice, and you just might get through a holiday dinner without wanting to disown your uncle.
What the critics say
“As Lancaster is narrating her own work, we get the perfect tone for her often sarcastic comments and observations. Her personal delivery brings so much more to the text and makes for a delightful listening experience that will leave listeners laughing, despite feelings of unease.” --AudioFile Magazine
“Lancaster humorously considers the role of anxiety in American life in a delightful and perceptive book packed with tips on how to relax. Lancaster is very funny, and her insightful, always entertaining critique may motivate readers to back away from social media.” --Publishers Weekly
“Armed with wit and insight, [Lancaster] plots a simple, easy-to-follow course to navigate our anxieties and better manage our levels of stress…this is sound advice we all should heed.” --Kirkus Reviews
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What listeners say about Welcome to the United States of Anxiety
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- shelly
- 2020-11-03
Not relatable
The title is misleading. This book is about the author and her personal struggles with her own anxiety. I didn't find her stories entertaining or relatable. She makes the same point over and over again going no where with the plot.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Maggie60654
- 2020-10-17
Aptly Titled
I am a HUGE fan of Jen and her work. I have read every book she’s written, and loved them all. But this one felt like I was being held hostage in a college lecture hall and the prof made us stay late. Way late.
This is chock full of factoids and random data, all interesting, albeit in smaller doses.
Jen’s trademark voice came through, but even when I wanted to laugh out loud at her sarcastic wit, it felt ill-timed and awkward.
I’m now more anxious than ever pursuant to feeling conflicted — I so wanted to love this book. Alas, not so much. On the bright side, I am glad to support a writer I adore and still consider myself a Jen fan for life!
7 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Karen
- 2020-10-05
Jen hire a narrator!
the book is mediocre at best. not at all the funny book I was hoping for. while I live Jen, this book just falls flat and comes off as whiney.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2020-10-17
So bummed I didn’t love it
During these crazy times I could’ve really used a straight up funny book from Jen and while this had some LOL parts, it was a bit heavy. Some of the topics were some thing that if I really wanted to dig into I would read articles or a book from an expert in that given field. I just felt that this was a bit too “researchy”for me.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Inappropriate74
- 2020-10-02
A departure from her usual work but still enjoyable
This isn’t her usual self depreciating memoir but there are funny moments all the same. This book is thought provoking and I’ll most likely listen to it again soon.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- James Scott
- 2021-03-21
White woman privilege: The book
Author opens with a rant about how a fear of getting "canceled" on social media, avocado toast, and vegans who talk too much about being vegan. Add in some snarky comments about how people are "afraid" of eating peanut butter, and you have pretty much every boomers in the Christmas rant about Millennials condensed into one book. Some of the tips for managing anxiety might be helpful, but the toxic attitude of the author taints it, and the spoiled tone seeps through enough to be more exhausting than helpful.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- David King
- 2020-11-10
Over the top
This book and the narrator’s voice was overly snarky. Not what I expected from the description.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Linda L. Erbacher
- 2020-10-12
humorous observations
Starting with Maslow's hierarchy as a guide to help understand the stressors in our lives, the author uses humor to help the reader get a sense of some of the unnecessary stress that we invite in to our lives.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Claire
- 2022-12-18
I was hoping for more
Definitely laughed out aloud a bunch of times but for some reason I felt I didn’t get as much meaning to this theory/story as I was hoping for. The author certainly has done some research but I was just hoping for more results than theories. It’s certainly entertaining. Just want my favorite.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 2022-10-13
worth it
insightful and amusing...caused me to think which I consider a huge plus in a book