J. D. Vance

A more conservative view than Sarah Smarsh's on the inequalities that keep the white working class from participating to the American Dream, but a moving, heartfelt and enlightening one nonetheless. At least, the author acknowledges that European Countries with a strong socialdemocratic take on social welfare do the American Dream better than America.
It's very instructive to hear, for once, the voice of hillbillies or any other neglected groups speaking for themselves, as subject of action rather than object of policy. Or worse, horror movie pitchfork crowds with fiddles...… (altro)

Wow. I found this book so moving. J.D. Vance intimately details the obstacles faced by both himself and his fellow hillbillies (his words) when attempting to claw their way out of poverty and hopelessness. In doing so, he paints a loving and searingly honest portrait of a culture steeped in values of honour and family ties, yet stymied by a kind of learned helplessness following the successive economic downturns of the last three decades. Vance is adamant that while external circumstances (and he chronicles these in detail) stack the deck against America's working-class whites, individual choices play a significant role in determining anyone's future. And he continually reinforces the positive impact a few strong and positive people can have on a kid's life.

I am left full of admiration for Vance and full of love for his extended Appalachian clan, warts and all.… (altro)

A quick and interesting insight into life growing up in the Rust Belt. Some of the stories were compelling insights into the types of families and lives that some of my friends since moving to Chicago 9 years ago have had (often that were completely absent when I lived in New Jersey), and helped contextualize for me some aspects of middle American culture that seem contradictory to an outsider. Overall, it wasn't a life-altering book, but worth the time it took to read for sure, despite the author's tendency to ramble a bit and repeat himself at times.… (altro)