We’re all Aussies and Kiwis based in Australia, some of us know more about politics and the US than others.
Someone suggested we read Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance which I’m not particularly keen on as I see it as political myth-making rather than accurate story-telling and political truth. I also don’t want to give that man a cent of my money. Although I suppose it would be an interesting discussion at least?
Other books I’ve had on my radar or that were suggested include:
- Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man by Susan Faludi
- The Freaks Came Out to Write: The Definitive History of the Village Voice, the Radical Paper That Changed American Culture by Tricia Romano
- Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis by Jonathan Blitzer
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
- Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- What’s the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank
- Deer Hunting with Jesus by Joe Bageant
- Why We’re Polarized by Ezra Klein
- The Great Revolt by Salena Zito and Brad Todd
I know some are meant to be brilliant. I’ll check Goodreads to read reviews on the rest.
What are we missing?
Anything amazing that you would suggest that we haven’t heard of yet? Fiction or Non-Fiction are both welcome.
Thank so much!
Edit: I guess a J.D. Vance fan downvoted my post? LOL.
by uselessinfogoldmine
14 Comments
John Muir: Rediscovering America by Frederick Turner. It explores the history of American expansionism into the west and how John Muir ended up leading a movement to preserve America’s wilderness, amidst an industrial surge. Very relevant considering how jeopardized national parks are right now. One of my favorite nonfiction books I’ve read.
White Trash by Nancy Isenberg. Despite the controversial title, it’s a carefully researched book that explores migration and social patterns throughout american history and compares them to the political trends of the times. It was a fascinating read and I learned a lot
*Whiteness of a Different Color* by Matthew Frye Jacobson, which might also have some resonance with your reading group, given the historical “White Australia” immigration policy.
In fiction, *Under the Feet of Jesus* by Helena María Viramontes; *America Is In the Heart* by Carlos Bulosan (and Elaine Castillo’s rejoinder, *America Is Not the Heart*); and *Bone* by Fae Myenne Ng (also her memoir, *Orphan Bachelors*) are some go-to suggestions from me.
The Age of Reform By Richard Hofstadter. It will give you amazing insight into modern American politics. In particular, that nothing we are experiencing today differs from what was happening 150 years ago.
*Demon Copperhead* is very good.
Death of Expertise by Tom Nichols
*Made in America* by Bill Bryson. It’s technically about how American English has evolved, but with that how the culture has evolved too.
Steinbeck’s Grapes of Rath comes to mind
The Man They Wanted Me to Be – Jared Sexton Yates: Memoir of a white Midwestern Millenial that examines the unrealistic pressure traditional masculinity, as promoted in the US, has on politics, media, men themselves, and the women and children in their lives.
Americana is amazing! Also maybe people’s history of the United States?
Definitely not hillbilly elegy, simply because it won’t answer your question. I just read it and it’s just a rambly memoir of an unremarkable life that doesn’t draw any conclusions either way, underwhelming all around.
A couple of non-fiction you might want to look at are The Big Sort by Bill Bishop (it takes a look at how Americans have self-segregated along ideological lines since WW2) and one that’s just a bit older called Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam (it looks at the deterioration of community since WW2). They are both about 20-30 years old, but both proved quite prescient.
I’ve not read it but have been recommended the book Cultish:The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell. Apparently it is a riveting book that really dives into how the US bought on to the Trump rhetoric.
When the Clock Broke by John Ganz
To understand the burden of poverty in urban America, I’d recommend Random Family by Adrian Nicole Leblanc.