What do Americans need that most eludes them? It's not a tank of cheap gas (as astonishing as that would be) or ever earlier pre-holiday sales. What Americans need most - and most of them know it - is satisfaction, especially the satisfaction of enough.

So when the call for submissions to this book went out, the mainstream response was enthusiastic. From the outpouring of personal stories submitted, the editorial committee chose these twenty to represent the broadest possible spectrum of Americans who have sought and found a simpler, more satisfying life.