Ken Strauss

Four Overarching Patterns of Culture

“We live in a world of architypes. All stories revolve around seven basic plots. Human personality falls into a limited number of predictable types. And culture, as the Strausses—father and son—so admirably show here, can be grouped into four overarching (though overlapping) patterns. This is the hitchhikers’ guide to the universe of perceptions and behaviors, applicable immediately and everywhere, from your next trip to a Chinese restaurant to a venture into the old quarter of Hyderabad. The tale is told through stories and anecdotes, as captivating as a travelogue. Their globetrotting—eyes wide open, curiosity and humility at full tilt, a passion for observing, learning, and synthesis—has led to this fascinating guide. A triumph!”