I have heard of the book but have not read it. I have read a large number of books and articles that express concepts similar to what you describe and with which I agree. Our social environment does shape our thoughts, absolutely, but ultimately, each of us individually decides which thoughts and beliefs we give assent and value. And even when we choose to just go along with what society tells us, we still have made a choice. We have more power than we realize and much more power than some people want us to realize that we have.