Robert A. Gross

Robert A. Gross, a historian and author, discusses the evolution of American individualism from communal values to self-reliance, rooted in Concord, Massachusetts. He highlights how figures like Emerson and Thoreau reshaped concepts of identity and integrity during the rise of transcendentalism. Gross explores the influence of economic modernization and educational reform on youth's search for authenticity. He also connects the transcendentalist movement to contemporary challenges, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and questioning traditional institutions.