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MWSA Review
The Tall Poppy Syndrome is a thoroughly researched and comprehensive look at the phenomenon many people call "schadenfreude." The author has provided exhaustive background research dating back thousands of years and illustrating well-known events and historical characters to illustrate how others have cut them down at the peak of their success. HIs examples range from esteemed political and military leaders, to civil rights icons, entertainers, and a few well-known scoundrels. I found the example of the Hatfield-McCoy feud particularly interesting, and readers with interests in almost any era from the past several millennia will likely find something to pique their interest.
Review by Frank Biggio (April 2024)
Author's Synopsis
The Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS) is a metaphor describing seeing a field of poppies and cutting down the tall ones so that all are equal. This traditional definition applies to someone who is of distinction and is cut down by an envious person. This syndrome is not well known in America. A hypothesis was our individualism prevented it. The author found examples in most parts of the world in all periods. After his world review, the author concluded that TPS was prevalent in America but unrecognized.
The author dissects TPS into cutters and cuttees. He describes the vices found in cutters who cut people down. He also describes vices in tall poppies which justified their being cut down. By doing this the viewer can determine who is the guilty person. It also allows self-reflection and self-awareness of the reader.
The author also divides TPS into peer-to-peer and public. Peer-to-peer TPS involves one's tribe and is driven by envy. It includes families, schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces. These people are common folk and need not be tall. Public TPS involves true tall poppies and are justifiably cut down for their egregious behavior.
The book is a world history lesson viewed through the TPS lens. Readers will understand the bad behavior, both of cutter and cuttee, which drives TPS. With the new behavioral understanding, the reader improves his self-awareness through reflection.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—Reference
Number of Pages: 318
Word Count: 100,000