A Deadly Wandering

Description

“Deserves a spot next to Fast Food Nation and To Kill a Mockingbird in America’s high school curriculums. To say it may save lives is self-evident.” —New York Times Book Review (Editor’s Choice)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: San Francisco Chronicle, Chrisitian Science Monitor, Amazon, Kirkus, Winnipeg Free PressOne of the decade’s most original and masterfully reported books, A Deadly Wandering by Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times journalist Matt Richtel interweaves the cutting-edge science of attention with the tensely plotted story of a mysterious car accident and its aftermath to answer some of the defining questions of our time: What is technology doing to us? Can our minds keep up with the pace of change? How can we find balance?On the last day of summer, an ordinary Utah college student named Reggie Shaw fatally struck two rocket scientists while texting and driving along a majestic stretch of highway bordering the Rocky Mountains. A Deadly Wandering follows Reggie from the moment of the tragedy, through the police investigation, the state’s groundbreaking prosecution, and ultimately, Reggie’s wrenching admission of responsibility. Richtel parallels Reggie’s journey with leading-edge scientific findings on the impact technology has on our brains, showing how these devices play to our deepest social instincts. A propulsive read filled with surprising scientific detail, riveting narrative tension, and rare emotional depth, A Deadly Wandering is a book that can change—and save—lives.

A Best Book of the Year

San Francisco Chronicle
Christian Science Monitor
Kirkus Reviews
Winnipeg Free Press One of the year's most original and masterfully reported books, A Deadly Wandering by Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times journalist Matt Richtel interweaves the cutting-edge science of attention with the tensely plotted story of a mysterious car accident and its aftermath to answer some of the defining questions of our time: What is technology doing to us? Can our minds keep up with the pace of change? How can we find balance?On the last day of summer, an ordinary Utah college student named Reggie Shaw fatally struck two rocket scientists while texting and driving along a majestic stretch of highway bordering the Rocky Mountains. A Deadly Wandering follows Reggie from the moment of the tragedy, through the police investigation, the state's groundbreaking prosecution, and ultimately, Reggie's wrenching admission of responsibility. Richtel parallels Reggie's journey with leading-edge scientific findings on the impact technology has on our brains, showing how these devices play to our deepest social instincts. A propulsive read filled with surprising scientific detail, riveting narrative tension, and rare emotional depth, A Deadly Wandering is a book that can change—and save—lives.

“Richtel’s compassionate and persuasive book deserves a spot next to Fast Food Nation and To Kill a Mockingbird in America’s high school curriculums. To say it may save lives is self-evident.” “Keen and elegantly raw. … Not just a morality tale but a probe sent into the world of technology. … Richtel draws all the characters with a fine brush, a delicacy that treats misery both respectfully and front-on.” “Americans are addicted to their technology, putting us on a modern day collision course with very real consequences. Matt Richtel brilliantly tells the story of the aftermath of a deadly distracted driving crash. His portrait is riveting. I could not stop reading, and neither will you.” “A portrait of our digital age that will deeply frighten you and cause you to reevaluate many common aspects of your ‘connected’ life. … An extraordinarily important book that everyone—and I mean everyone—should read.” “A masterpiece of reporting, insight, and empathy. … A beautiful, cautionary tale that reads like a novel, and that we disregard at our risk.” “A Deadly Wandering is more than a page-turner. It’s a book that can save lives.” “Matt Richtel’s riveting book is narrative nonfiction at its finest. … This book should be placed in every school and legislative chamber in the country.” “This book does that most amazing of feats: it makes cutting-edge scientific research feel relevant to the choices we make every time we get in a car, sit at a desk, or talk to our friends and family.” “A gripping book. … This is human drama and the latest knowledge about obsessive technology woven together in memorable style.” “A compelling, highly emotional, and profoundly important story.” “Illuminates the perils of information overload… Raises fascinating and troubling issues about the cognitive impact of our technology.” Intensely gripping, compelling, and sobering… A Deadly Wandering gives the potentially lethal risks of the digital age a very human face — one which we can, if we’re honest, readily see in the mirror.” “Exhaustively researched. … Richtel brings a novelist’s knack for unspooling narrative conflict to bear on Shaw’s real-life drama.” “Each page is… irresistible. … A richly detailed and compellingly readable exploration of the ‘clash’ between our brains and the electronic devices that, for many of us, have become essential to ‘every facet of life.’” “Fabulously well-researched and brilliantly told. … Moving and interesting.”

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