Cracks in the American dream -- A primer on household wealth -- Pathways to wealth accumulation -- Recognizing our past -- Evidence of wealth privilege -- Three views of the American dream -- Resilience and wealth privilege -- The spiral of privilege and policy -- The white plutocracy system

Dueling paradigms -- Our precious endowment -- Understanding our natural endowment -- A tale of two energy crises -- Dysfunctional markets -- Nature as guide -- Closing the materials loop -- Shifting back to renewable energy sources -- Economic succession -- Economic resiliency -- Conclusion.

Drawing on both economics and ecology, this book offers telling insights into the confusing 'jobs versus environment' debates as well as charts a recommended path towards a co-habitable relationship. It illuminates why our nation's natural environment is both better and worse than years ago