The Averaged American

Surveys, Citizens, and the Making of a Mass Public

Sarah E. Igo

  • 2006 President's Book Award of the Social Science History Association
  • Slate Best Books of the Year selection
  • 2008 Cheiron Book Prize

List of Illustrations

Introduction: America in Aggregate

1. Canvassing a "Typical" Community

2. Middletown Becomes Everytown

3. Polling the Average Populace

4. The Majority Talks Back

5. Surveying Normal Selves

6. The Private Lives of the Public

Epilogue: Statistical Citizens

Notes

Acknowledgments

Index

  • Cover: The Averaged American
  • A photo of the author

Photo by Ole Molvig

Sarah Igo is Associate Professor of History, Political Science, and Sociology at Vanderbilt University