In his 2007 article "All the Rage," Andrew Santella observes that anger is a prominent emotion in American life. Our politics is dominated by angry rhetoric; cases of road rage are increasingly common. The shelves of local bookstores are full of books explaining both the benefits and the dangers of anger. In fact, many of the books are simply "Wrath Lit": published written rants on various topics.

Peter Wood, in his book A Bee in the Mouth, writes that a sure sign of America's problem with anger is the tone of its politics. "For the first time in our political history, declaring absolute hatred for one's opponent has become a sign not of sad excess, but of good character."

As prevalent as it is, anger is a bit mysterious; it can be either one's greatest liability or one's greatest asset. Carol Tavris, author of Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion, explains:

I have watched people use anger, in the name of emotional liberation, to erode affection and trust, whittle away their spirits in bitterness and revenge, diminish their dignity in years of spiteful hatred. And I watch with admiration those who use anger to probe for truth, who challenge and change the complacent injustices of life.