Trueman sets out to explore how we arrived at the “Strange New World” we are living in. He characterizes it as a world of expressive individualism, in which people find their meaning and identity not from outside sources, but within themselves. The ultimate goal of life, then, is to discover one’s “true identity” and express it to the world. He traces this thought through historical figures such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sigmund Freud. This obviously has great implications for LGBTQ matters, and Trueman explores that in chapter seven. 

This book could be useful for someone who wants to understand some of the philosophical and political reasons for the prevalence of LGBTQ matters today. It could be particularly helpful in offering insight on the recent surge in transgender identification as well as questions that might help you connect with someone who is struggling with gender incongruence.