Has anyone read Hillbilly Elegy?

[Freedomofspeech]

He talked about Southern Ohio and Kentucky but it certainly described SW Pennsylvania. Gawd help us.

[raising2moredems]

1. Not yet..

It is on my list. From the reviews/interviews I've read, he has some valid points - half my family is from the south. However I don't think he gets that continually electing the same local/state/federal "representation", aka voting against ones own best interest, is a major part of the problem. One can keep blaming the "welfare state" but until one determines the true root cause, one is still part of the problem, not part of the solution.

[nruthie]

2. Yes. Gawd help us indeed.

[Laffy Kat]

3. It's been on my list since I read the review in the NYT.

Did you like it?

[nolabear]

4. Yes. As someone with relatives somewhat like his

I found it tender, understanding and unflinching about just how hard it is for many to overcome the psychological barriers of their lives.

It's easy to cast aspersions but they're people, and they suffer. It doesn't mean we can let them do harm, but they do suffer.

[Hekate]

5. My husband is finishing it now, and I'm next. From his comments, it's a roller coaster ride....

...(my term, not his; he alternately gasps and laughs), and extraordinarily informative as to how and where this culture spread.

[Maru Kitteh]

6. I did. I found it to be a very worthwhile read.

Touching, entertaining, horrifying, illuminating . . . . many interesting points were made, some I agree with, others I don't.

Good book.

[Akamai]

7. Several good podcasts on the book interviewing the author. Those are free. Check them out.

[Freedomofspeech]

8. It was so well written...

What the author overcame to get to this point was amazing. We live among this hillbilly life here in SW PA. MAKING plans to escape soon....