Reviews

Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild

dsbressette's review against another edition

3.0

3.5/5 stars

rfkmartin's review against another edition

3.0

would have been better to explain why deep stories differ in different places or how to use deep stories to changes minds.

knbee's review against another edition

5.0

This one gets five stars from me. I found it to be extremely interesting and well-written. From a non-sociologist perspective, I thought her one-issue focus- the environment- was a smart and manageable way to introduce readers not only to the Tea Party philosophy but to some everyday folks who follow it. It was no surprise to me that despite our differences of opinion that I found some of them very likable. What was surprising to me? The environmental state down in bayou country. Holy smokes... I had no idea it is so bad. And I have to say, it is very difficult for me to understand how they are willing to turn a blind eye, especially when the devastation is in their own backyards (literally). So in the end, I'm not sure that I managed to fully climb that "empathy wall" as the author hoped but I definitely found the book to be informative- even if depressingly so.

chughes120's review against another edition

3.0

Not sure what I was expecting but I didn't find it all that enlightening. It really just focused on the paradox of being against environmental regulation while being subject to extreme environmental pollution. I'll give the author props for attempting to be bipartisan, but if I ever asked one of my Tea Party family members to read this book, I bet they'd probably find it extremely biased and roll their eyes.

abbsentminded's review against another edition

4.0

Valuable telling of the "deep story" of the Tea Party. Explores the complex reasons why working class people in the south support environmental policies that directly harm them. Easy to read and respectful enough that someone on either side of the aisle would find it thought-provoking and challenging.

mimosaeyes's review against another edition

hopeful informative medium-paced

3.5

After reading this author's skilful explication of the "deep story" behind right-wing Louisianans, I simultaneously get it and don't get it. And I'm not even American. I guess I have problems with the empathy wall regardless. Still, this book is really informative and insightful, and I enjoy how it stretches my way of thinking.

tittypete's review against another edition

4.0

A frustrating read. Basically southern white people hate the government because it's always making them feel bad for being racist or reckless. When it comes down to it they vote for the most anti-government candidate because of a combination of Fox News fear-mongering or because Jesus is going to rapture all the good people anyway and there won't be pollution or cancer in heaven. Willfully and pridefully ignorant, these are people who require a reality where hard work without hard thought will always be a viable option. They bemoan the loss of opportunity for high school dropouts. The bright side is that these people seem to be dying off faster than normal. Here's to hoping they go before they drag everybody else with them.

emiliedoleshel's review against another edition

5.0

Well written. At times not as in biased as I think the author hoped to be, but a great examination of the roots of the political divide.

aderogat's review against another edition

4.0

This book was really interesting and I recommend reading it. When you have very strongly held beliefs, it can be very difficult to look across what the author refers to as the "empathy wall" to try and understand why someone holds the views they do. The author does a good job representing the views of people who are part of the Tea party and why they feel the way they do. By telling the story of individuals, rather than just presenting the views of a group, the authors humanizes the individuals and allows the reader to set aside their own views for a moment to consider her argument. The book does get a little redundant as academic books tend to when a strong argument is being made. I think this book is important for everyone to read because Dr. Hochschild really reminds us that behind someone's political views is an actual person and only when we remember this and approach political issues with empathy and understanding can we work together to find shared political ground and improve the future.

jazramage's review against another edition

3.0

It's well researched and written. Honestly worth reading. Its conclusion does not offer a satisfactory "so what" or "next step". Hochschild's work and empathy didn't affect the beliefs or votes of her subjects. It can't be "live and let live" when people support policy that materially harms and kills others (or even themselves).

ETA: thinking about it further: this is not to say we can't/shouldn't have empathy. But I don't believe empathy will change minds on any meaningful scale and so cannot be the end of the conversation.