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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Basically, a road trip book. A journalist travels across the US, stopping to interview various, for lack of a better word, Christian Nationalists; not leaders, but "normal" everyday people for the most part, who have drunk the Kool-Aid and gone back for refills. If you aren't already a bit worried about this new (but also, not so new) movement in the US, you will be after reading this book.
Within the journalistic takes on the nation gone awry genre, Sharlet's The Undertow stands out for its direct investigation of how religious beliefs and affiliations play on the vulnerabilities and prejudices of the American citizenry. Sharlet is nuanced but unflinching as he explores the fearful and frightening world in which violence is an answer and civil war is an increasingly desirable provocation. The prose is thoughtful, accessible, and philosophical; the outlook is mature and deeply humanistic. One of the standout books of the genre.
Collection of very interesting essays. The first essay on Harry Belafonte and the last essay on Lee Hays were terrific and highly recommended. The other essays, while interesting and worthwhile, were at times a bit too meandering for me. Still an important read to see a snapshot of modern-day USA.
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Really fascinating and compelling subject, but uneven and inconsistent on the whole. Chapter 8 - The Undertow - was outstanding, it absolutely could (maybe should) stand on its own. But the other 8 or 9 chapters felt cluttered and hurried. The writing was often too aware of itself and lacking in significant depth. Something just feels like it's missing here. I'd be curious to read more by Sharlet. I can't say this was a favorite, but it also wasn't wholly disappointing. Definitely one to revisit.
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
