LEWISTON — We are taught from a young age to be winners and avoid being losers. But what does it mean to win or lose? And does winning make us happy?

Bates College sociologist Francesco Duina explores these questions in his new book, “Winning: Reflections on an American Obsession.”

Duina will discuss the book at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at Borders in South Portland and at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main St., Cumberland. Admission to both sessions is free.

In “Winning,” Duina argues that victory is not a final destination in and of itself, but a gateway to something of immense importance to us — the affirmation of our place in the world. But he also shows that competition is ultimately unlikely to provide the answers we need.

Duina is associate professor and chair of the sociology department at Bates, and visiting professor at the International Center for Business and Politics, Copenhagen Business School. He is the author of “The Social Construction of Free Trade” and “Harmonizing Europe.”