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Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild
ajreader's review against another edition
5.0
Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.
A fascinating look at southern conservatives, what drives their political views, and how they are driving the politics of the country.
I loved the book. I think it's fantastic. It's easily the best of its kind that I have read. I think anyone wrestling with American politics right now should read it, needs to read it. I think if we start trying to understand one another's "deep stories" a little better, it would lead to better bipartisan work and more real problems being solved. The book is very readable and it's powerful. I learned so much and also walked away with so much to think about, too. That's a big win for me.
A fascinating look at southern conservatives, what drives their political views, and how they are driving the politics of the country.
I loved the book. I think it's fantastic. It's easily the best of its kind that I have read. I think anyone wrestling with American politics right now should read it, needs to read it. I think if we start trying to understand one another's "deep stories" a little better, it would lead to better bipartisan work and more real problems being solved. The book is very readable and it's powerful. I learned so much and also walked away with so much to think about, too. That's a big win for me.
dlrcope's review against another edition
5.0
Take a trip to the political right. Have a look into the heads and the hearts of some folks on that side. Learn about their history, understand their context. Somehow we gotta build a bridge.
Thank you for this incredible book, Arlie Russell Hochschild.
E pluribus unum
Thank you for this incredible book, Arlie Russell Hochschild.
E pluribus unum
mrincredible's review against another edition
5.0
I heard about this book through Bill Gates top 5 of 2017.
A fantastic book. Worth the read just for the middle chapter, "The Deep Story". The author does an incredible job articulating not the reasons for the political divide and the difference in logic, but the WHY behind how people feel.
Surprisingly relevant for me as a Canadian living in the growing gap of left and right, even in Ontario. While I may not agree with the outcome, this book helps me understand the honour, social order, and values that around me hold.
A fantastic book. Worth the read just for the middle chapter, "The Deep Story". The author does an incredible job articulating not the reasons for the political divide and the difference in logic, but the WHY behind how people feel.
Surprisingly relevant for me as a Canadian living in the growing gap of left and right, even in Ontario. While I may not agree with the outcome, this book helps me understand the honour, social order, and values that around me hold.
ciaran_louise's review against another edition
4.0
Like Hillbilly Elegy, I appreciated that this book provided an opportunity for me to get outside my liberal bubble of thinking but I don’t think it solves anything. I enjoyed the key focus of environmental regulation, as my book exchange partner thought I would. I kept expecting, however, more discussion about race which felt like the elephant in the room throughout the book.
barrosd12's review against another edition
5.0
An exceptional treatise on the American South as it specifically relates to politics is what's on offer in Hochschild's hotly recommended book (in particular after the 2016 US elections). Hochschild couches herself in a highly approachable methodology for understanding that mercurial beast, the voter that votes against their own self-interest in favor of a "deep story". Understanding this dynamic is at the heart of understanding the wholesale rejection of so-called mainstream candidates in elections and the generational systems that have allowed entire cultures and regions to lay fallow. The analysis in the book, for the sake of both simplicity and driving home a deeper point is contained within rural Louisiana and the stories that Hochschild unearths are unimaginable to those of us that subscribe to the left-leaning belief that government should be working for the people in supporting them. What's most fascinating about this book and the reason I recommend it so highly is because of just how deeply I was forced to check my own preconceptions of the way I believe government and private sectors should work. This book is challenging, in the way that it demands understanding, or at least in Hochschild's case, empathy. I came away from it not particularly more empathetic to the supposed entreaties of a region of mostly people who believe they are not at the front of the line in favor of minorities, but rather with an understanding of how they came to think that way. Perhaps the saddest event in the entire book revolves around a sinkhole in a remote parish in Louisiana - it brings together the absolute worst in private sector abuses with government non-intervention, leaving dozens of people to fend for themselves and even abandon their homes. But do they blame the companies? The state government? The party that continually reduces regulation? No. And in that way, you begin to see hyper-partisanship for the monster it truly is - some all-consuming nouveau religion whose only deity is money, power, and advancement.
bahoulie's review against another edition
3.0
The book really tried to give me a good reason (other than racism) that poor people vote Republican, but I couldn't find it. Just seemed to be an apology for them.
sinners's review against another edition
5.0
Well researched and thought-provoking
The author’s open minded approach to difficult subjects was refreshing. I especially appreciate the references to research sources, which has some fun-looking further reading.
The author’s open minded approach to difficult subjects was refreshing. I especially appreciate the references to research sources, which has some fun-looking further reading.
cheraford's review against another edition
4.0
I read this in the hopes of trying to understand the great divide in this country. The author does a great job in explains the views of the people interviewed. I found the book fascinating, frustrating and illuminating and would strongly recommend.
winstonandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I remember watching the Daily Show segments where they’d go interview people at Trump rallies, and watch, my mouth agape, bewildered as to why anyone would ever support Trump. This book helps you understand why. The approach is sympathetic, thoughtful, and intersectional. I don’t know if I really walked away with this book with answers, but I certainly walked away with a better understanding of the American right. And maybe that will help some answers become clear.
It is so tempting and easy to simply delete or block a Trump supporting and/or conservative acquaintance or friend on social media, but unfortunately, I don’t think that brings us closer to finding a solution to the division in this country. If you don’t understand or listen to their thinking, how can you help change it? I think the ideals this country initially claimed to stand for are worth fighting for, to make them a reality. And I think reading this book is an important part of getting there, especially for those liberals who do not regularly interact with conservatives.
It is so tempting and easy to simply delete or block a Trump supporting and/or conservative acquaintance or friend on social media, but unfortunately, I don’t think that brings us closer to finding a solution to the division in this country. If you don’t understand or listen to their thinking, how can you help change it? I think the ideals this country initially claimed to stand for are worth fighting for, to make them a reality. And I think reading this book is an important part of getting there, especially for those liberals who do not regularly interact with conservatives.
ceroon56's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start but second half is great. Good insights. Still don't agree with the right, but maybe understand a little better.