Hillbilly Elegy audiobook

2016 is the year of Donald Trump, and J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy should be at the top of every politico and thought leader's reading list living in the Acela corridor. Vance is both an excellent writer and a thoughtful person—and when combined with a compelling story, he's able to shed some light on the lives of those living on the other side of the Appalachian Mountains.Let's start with what this book isn't. It's not an explanation of why Donald Trump is the Republican nominee, or at least not directly. Nor is it a guide for how to alleviate Appalachian poverty. Vance is too smart to offer simplistic explanations or solutions. Rather, it is one man's experience living in the culture of Appalachia and placing his experience in the broader context of American society. It is the fact that he doesn't try to do too much that makes this book as compelling as it is.Vance grew up in southeastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky, largely raised by his grandmother (Mamaw) and having a complicated relationship with his family members. Hillbilly Elegy is a story that demonstrates the full measure of the brokenness that wracks Appalachia, but it is also a story that exemplifies the depths of familial love and opportunity.Vance's description of Yale Law School is interesting, because while he portrays it as an institution in which he feels out of place (very few people from poor backgrounds go to Yale Law School), he also was afforded the opportunity to go there. That tension—the fact that he managed to "beat the odds" while still acknowledging the deep cultural divide between elite institutions and wide swaths of middle America (the region of the United States sometimes derisively referred to as "flyover country")—pervades the book and ultimately makes it such an important book.For that tension exists not merely in the people like Vance who have a foot in both worlds—one in southeastern Ohio with his hillbilly family and the other in downtown San Francisco working for an investment fund. It also exists in the United States writ large, as college-educated urbanites express confusion at the values of those outside of their spheres. There are, therefore, two Americas—one divided less by race or geography (though those certainly matter), but by class and values. In order to break down those barriers, we need books like Hillbilly Elegy and people like Vance to help us build bridges across those cultural barriers we have today.

Have you ever wondered what became of the Scotch-Irish, who dug America’s coal, forged America’s steel and built America’s automobiles, who worked for the American Dream Monday through Friday. prayed to The Good Lord on Sunday, and revered F.D.R. and J.F.K. every day of the week? The last thing I heard, they elected Donald Trump. And I am still looking for explanations.If you want somebody who knows Appalachian culture from inside to explain it all to you, I highly recommend Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. Vance has his roots in Eastern Kentucky, a troubled childhood in the rustbelt city of Middletown, Ohio, and yet has succeeded in graduating from Ohio State and matriculating from The Yale Law School. He tells us about his family of “crazy hillbillies,” and, in the process of telling us the story of his family, he tells us the story of America too.The hillbilly seeking the American Dream in industrial Ohio was always “a stranger in a strange land”, for he cleaved to his Appalachian identity—the church in the wildwood, the old folks in the hollers—and returned to the welcoming hills every chance he could get. But economic decline left its mark on both mountain culture and urban manufacturing. Opportunities shrunk, hard liquor was supplemented by painkillers and heroin, church attendance fell and so did belief in the American Dream.J.D.’s were most powerful influences were his grandparents Mamaw and Papaw: fierce, hard-drinking battlers with a proud belief in individual honor and family solidarity. They might beat their kids, sure, only when they deserved it...but no outsider better say one harsh word to them, much less lay a finger on them. They probably did their own children little good—especially J.D.’s mother, addicted to heroin and a bewildering succession of men—but by the time J.D. needed them they had mellowed a little, and gave him the love and determination he needed to succeed.The early chapters about family are compelling, but the last few chapters, touching on the cultural hurdles a hillbilly in a high class East Coast law school must overcome, are fascinating too. J.D. shows us how many things the upper middle class takes for granted—how to dress for an interview, how to schmooze a prospective employer, how to strive for what you really want not what you’re supposed to want—are difficult for a young man from a poor background.J.D. Vance’s insights are noteworthy not only because of his family background but also because of his political philosophy. He is a conservative, one of those cautious, reflective conservatives who are growing increasingly rare these days. (Former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is one of his heroes, David Frum is a former employer and mentor). He is critical of specific government practices (the high barriers grandparent’s face if they wish to be foster parents, for example), but he also realizes that government has a role—although limited—in raising the Appalachian people from poverty. The major responsibility, however, he puts squarely on the shoulders on the hillbilly himself: There is a cultural movement in the white working class to blame problems on society or the government, and that movement gains adherents by the day.Here is where the rhetoric of modern conservatives (and I say this as one of them) fails to meet the real challenges of their biggest constituents. Instead of encouraging engagement, conservatives increasingly foment the kind of detachment that has sapped the ambition of so many of my peers...What separates the successful from the unsuccessful are the expectations that they had for their own lives. Yet the message of the right is increasingly: It’s not your fault that you’re a loser; it’s the government’s fault.

This is an incredibly fascinating and well done book. I think that the thoughts and opinions of the author might be controversial, but he lived through it and saw the good and the bad so I will give him the benefit of the doubt on how he sees things after the way he grew up!When I saw the name, I figured this would be reading about a real life Deliverance-esque town. However, this is more about how a boy develops into a man when dealing with being raised by a family with a “Hillbilly” background. The setting is suburban Ohio where many Hillbillies have relocated for blue collar jobs. In fact, the town is Middletown, Ohio, which is not far from where I was growing up at the same time that the events of this book were taking place (Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati). Because of this, it hit home even more for me. When I say that his opinions might come across as controversial, it is because he gives his opinions about his upbringing and the Hillbilly culture and how he had to struggle to overcome it. Some of what he says might get people riled up if it came from an outsider. But, again, since he lived with it – I feel like his input and opinion are a very important viewpoint.I did a little background search on this book and the author online. It sounds like there are some people who scoff at this book because it isn’t about a Deliverance-esque town, the author is well spoken, and he does not necessarily paint the Hillbilly culture in the best light. I agree that all these things are true about the book, but I think that is what makes it even more fascinating and amazing to me. When you read this, you will probably be surprised that he made it away from abuse, drug use, poverty, and crime at all. Is he supposed to feel bad about that? I think that some people think that he should; kind of like he turned his back on his rootsIf a thought provoking book about growing up in lower middle class suburbia over the past 30-40 years sounds interesting to you, this is your book. I can easily recommend this book to anyone who loves a good memoir.

Update.... Paul and I watched only about 30 minutes of the movie on Netflix. We both felt it was way too dark. It didn’t feel as authentic as the book. The cinematography was gorgeous in many parts of the movie... but with an award winning director, and two award-winning actresses… All is who I totally respect and admire their talents—-We both felt it was way too depressing and the acting was uneven and the directing was uneven. We just had to turn it off and are not going to finish it. Thoughts from others? Audiobook..... read by the author. My local book club will be discussing this book this month. I’ll be attending- I almost took a ‘pass’. I’m really glad I didn't. THE CONTROVERSY and DISCUSSIONS from reviews on Goodreads is already ENGAGING!!!! Seriously, I spent more time reading through every review - and all the comments on THIS BOOK - more than any book in all my years on Goodreads. My interest elevated - and my emotions were entangled. The passion of expression from people about this book - positive and negative - both - shook me up in a way that's hard to explain. Julie's review had me in tears. April's review deepen my compassion for pure courage. Diane first brought awareness to me that this is a "timely" book, Rae express Mamaw and Papaw sooo lovely - ( I melted again reading about them especially after having my own experience too)... and Melora brought up points that I spent time thinking about. My entire review could be about my inspiration from something everyone else has said.So.... I'm going to express random notes:I WAS engaged while listening to Vance's Appalachian roots in Eastern Kentucky and the rust-belt city of Middletown, Ohio. Although he grew up in an unstable family --(abuse, abandonment, and poverty)-- his grandparents ( Mamaw and Papaw), were strong positive influences. It was hard NOT to give Vance my full attention with the type of stories he was sharing. Vance has a VERY PLEASANT AUTHENTIC SOUNDING speaking voice by the way. He is very 'easy-on-the-ears'. Half way through this audiobook---I started to notice a problem beginning with the title of the book. If the title were "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir".. that would have been. Enough!!!!Once he added family -Culture - and Crisis into the title.....my expectations as a reader was different than and ordinary memoir'. So, the intentions of this book - memoir - purpose - cautionary tale - all get a little blurry. What we 'mostly' get is a straight memoir. BUT.... at some point I started having so much fun--- ( fun not being the best word for all this tragedy)...but yes I started enjoying listening to Vance so much I no longer cared what the name of this book was--or even his purpose. My first belly laugh came when he wanted to stick a golf club in a guys ear. I actually liked when Vance used profanity, because it seemed against his character to who he is or the experience I was getting from him anyway.... His voice sounds so darn level headed - kind -inappropriate and smart- that I actually had a hard time imagining him being the little kid of some of these horrific things he was telling us. Something about hearing it, as opposed to reading it... from a very successful conservative responsible American -- kinda blew my mind. I'm glad I listened to the audiobook. It wasn't a picnic hearing about how his mother physically beat him, but I sure was touched by his love for his sister. It's inspiring to listen to Vance share his story - his thoughts - and he did contribute some awareness about the culture......."ALL RICH PEOPLE PLAY GOLF"... ( you can laugh now... but he does talk about this)... It's all a little funny. For me....it comes down to --in the end --I basically really like the guy. He touched my heart. I also want to thank so many people for 'their' reviews--readers here on Goodreads -- all your reviews and comments made a big difference to me. This is really a community book in my opinion.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, J.D. VanceVance describes his upbringing and family background in a family from a small town in Ohio. He writes about a family history of poverty and low-paying, physical jobs that have since disappeared or worsened in their guarantees, and compares this life with his perspective after leaving that area and life. ...تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیست و دوم ماه اکتبر سال2018میلادیعنوان: هیل بیلی: روزگار آمریکایی‌های پشتکوه‌ نشین، خاطرات یک خانواده و یک فرهنگ بحران‌ زده؛ نویسنده: جی.دی ونس ؛ مترجم سیدعلیرضا پارساییان؛ تهران نشر نون، سال‏‫1396؛ در260ص؛ شابک9786008740162؛ عنوان دیگر روزگار آمریکایی‌های پشت‌ کوه‌ نشین، خاطرات یک خانواده و یک فرهنگ بحران‌زده؛ موضوع سرگذشتنامه ی ونس، ج.دی - خانواده - کارگران سفیدپوست - از نویسندگان ایالات متحده - سده21مجی.دی ونس، کودکی‌ خویش را در سرزمینی زندگی کرد، که مردمان آن‌‌جا در بگذشته ها کارگران مناطق دیگر، و معدنچی معادن زغال سنگ بوده‌ اند؛ زندگی مردمان این منطقه از آمریکا، تاثیر فراوانی در سرنوشت، و سبک زندگی این نویسنده داشته است؛ «جی.دی ونس» با اِشراف کامل، از زندگیش کتاب «هیل‌ بیلی» را به نگارش درآورده، که منبع دقیقی برای شناخت مردمان منطقه ی کوهستان «آپالاچيا» است؛ «جی.دی ونس»، نویسنده و سرمایه‌ گذار آمریکایی است، که برای یادمانهای خود، که با عنوان «هیل‌ بیلی» منتشر شد، شناخته شده هستند؛ ایشان در روز دوم ماه آگوست سال1984میلادی در شهر «اوهایو» به دنیا آمدند، و همانند سایر کودکان آن منطقه، با مشکلات اجتماعی زادگاهش روبرو شدند؛ خانواده‌ ی «جی.دی ونس» در کودکی او را ترک کردند، و او در کنار مادربزرگ، و پدربزرگش زندگیش را گذراند.؛ او توانست از دانشگاه دولتی «اوهایو» فارغ التحصیل شود، و پیشرفت او در واقع دستیابی یک نسل رو به رشد، به موفقیت بود.؛ این نویسنده علاوه‌ بر فعالیت در زمینه‌ ی حقوق، و سیاست، مدتی را هم در روزنامه‌ ی «سی.ان.ان» مشغول به کار بوده استنقل نمونه متن: (همان امید همیشگی، چیزی که نمی‌توانستم به آن نه بگویم.؛ همان امید بود که داوطلبانه پایم را به آن جلسات ترک اعتیاد باز کرد؛ جلسه‌های ترک اعتیاد، آن همه کتابی که در مورد اعتیاد خواندم، و مشارکت در فرآیند درمان مادر، تا جاییکه در توانم بود.؛ همان امید باعث می‌شد در دوازده سالگی سوار ماشین او شوم، با علم به اینکه با آن وضع روحیش ممکن است، دست به کاری بزند، که بعدا پشیمانی به بار بیاورد.؛ «ماماو» هیچ‌وقت امیدش را از دست نداد، آن هم بعد از انبوه دل‌ شکستگی‌ها و ناامیدهایی که تعدادشان بیش از اندازه‌ ای بود، که در عقل من بگنجد.؛ زندگی او مدرسه‌ ی آموزش ناامید شدن از مردم بود، ولی «ماماو» همیشه، راهی برای ایمان داشتن به کسانیکه دوستشان داشت، پیدا می‌کرد.؛ سر جمع من هم از آن همه کوتاه آمدنم پشیمان نیستم.؛ انجام خواسته‌ ی مادر در مورد نمونه آزمایش، کار غلطی بود، ولی هرگز از گوش کردن به حرف «ماماو»، پشیمان نخواهم شد.؛ امیدواری او بود، که باعث شد «پاپاو» را، بعد از آن سال‌های سختی که در زندگی مشترک‌شان داشتند، ببخشد، و همین امید «ماماو» را مجاب کرد، من را در زمانیکه بیش‌تر از همیشه به او نیاز داشتم، پیش خودش ببرد.؛ روی «ماماو» را زمین نیانداختم، ولی آن روز صبح، چیزی در درونم فرو ریخت.؛ با چشم‌های سرخ از گریه، به مدرسه رفتم.؛ به شدت از کمکی که به او کرده بودم پشیمان بودم.؛ چند هفته پیش‌تر با مادر در یک غذاخوری چینی نشسته بودم، در حالیکه او تلاش بی‌حاصلی می‌کرد، تا قاشق غذا را داخل دهانش بچپاند.؛ خاطره‌ ای که هنوز هم خون من را به جوش می‌آورد، مادر نمی‌توانست چشمش را باز کند، یا دهانش را ببندد، قاشق غذا تا وارد دهانش می‌شد، برمی‌گشت و می‌ریخت داخل بشقاب.؛ بقیه‌ ی مردم به ما خیره مانده بودند، «کن» زبان بند شده بود، و مادر در دنیای خودش بود، فارغ از این هیاهو.)؛ پایان نقلتاریخ بهنگام رسانی 07/05/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 19/02/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

This book deals with the Vance family's heart-wrenching story, who moved to Ohio from Kentucky after the war. The difficulties of raising a middle-class family in the midwest are very well conveyed through this memoir. It is discussing many vital topics like alcoholism, abuse, and poverty. The author chronicles what happened to the American dream in the rust belt in the cold war era. "We don’t study as children, and we don’t make our kids study when we’re parents. Our kids perform poorly in school. We might get angry with them, but we never give them the tools—like peace and quiet at home—to succeed.”

A twitter storm this summer brought this book to my attention. I read several articles and interviews with Vance before managing to get my hands on a copy. That circuitous introduction led me to expect some kind of treatise on working class attitudes, so at first I experienced the work through the distorting lens of others’ interpretations. This book is not any kind of treatise. It is a brave, funny, unsentimental growing-up story, introducing us to a cussin’ gun-brandishing grandmaw who knew instilling accountability and backbone was the best way out of hill country. But when the time came for young Vance to leave via induction into the Marines, grandmaw was reluctant to let him go. She probably wasn’t sure that he’d live long enough to get that college degree she wanted for him.Mawmaw sounds like a very special person, with her sometimes conservative, sometimes liberal political thought. She didn’t take anything as creed, except the hillbilly creed. That lack of credulousness, that lack of naiveté is something we should all aim for. It is the road to a well-informed, sophisticated citizenry. Wouldn’t she be surprised to know we are thinking of her now. Wish I’d met her.J.D. Vance is an avowed conservative, but he has some of that “thinking for himself” thing going on. When he was young he turned to the church for answers, and while the church gave him some answers and some help, he could see that it wasn’t going to be the whole answer. “God helps those who help themselves.” That’s what I learned also. While I find myself on the other side of the political spectrum from Vance’s self-described “far right” position as that spectrum is defined in common parlance, I can listen to him enunciate his thinking without having a coronary because he clearly thinks about his opinions and would probably listen to mine, if I am reasonable, and focussed on a solution that is fair and do-able. He is as entitled to his opinions as I am. I believe he is recommending thoughtfulness, openness, creativity, and a willingness to compromise. I suppose he is ultimately headed to political office. His favorite job in college was the state senate, after all.In a way, this bare-all, plainspoken memoir reminds me of Obama’s family history, Dreams from my Father, that Obama wrote before his big political push. You can’t talk behind the back of a man who has told you the worst already. I wish everyone was able to be so frank with us, but let’s admit that not everyone has the writing skill to pull this off. Vance is in his early thirties and freely admits he does not have all the answers to joblessness and hopelessness in hillbilly country, but he is one of the few conservatives who appear to give a damn.It is important to note that Vance is better at presenting a balanced, less objectionable point of view in writing. In a book interview on PBS Newshour, Vance said that Trump was one of the few people who “cared” about the plight of poor working class. I think that can be challenged on a number of fronts. There have been public policies put in place in the past thirty years after all, even if they haven’t worked well in practice. When asked, in that same PBS interview, about Clinton’s “basket of deplorables,” he says “a lot of these folks are just really hard-working people…” I don’t understand. He spent most of the book telling us that in fact, “white working class” meant hardly working. They have reasons for their disaffection, but the solutions are in community, family, and values, none of which necessarily have much to do with money.As it happens, I also believe in community, family, and values despite not agreeing with practically anything else on the agenda of the “far right.” I agree with Vance that attacking political leaders for things that are demonstrably untrue (e.g., birtherism) has fomented an unhealthy distrust of government. The press has an important role to play in challenging power, but intentionally creating suspicion helps no one. Vance agrees that conservatives need to do a better job in healing the country and bringing folks together rather than pushing them apart. Republicans desperately need a rational spokesman, and Vance has put himself up for the job. For a political party that has so lost its moral compass, this man must bring great hope. He has something he cares deeply about, knows something about, and knows how to go about trying to find solutions. Broken family ties is a subject we all need to think about whether black, white, rich, or poor. Rich people have broken families as well, with equally devastating consequences. Hopelessness and despair of ever being able to turn one’s life around—this is something rich folks can share if they, too, are addicts. Learned helplessness: isn't that originally a rich family disease? But the lack of social capital--that is something rich people do not share.There is a great deal to discuss in this book, including Amy Chua's advice in law school that Vance not pursue the most prestigious and shiniest job in the basket of opportunities, and how the lives of poor inner- city blacks may parallel and reflect the lives of hillbilly whites. I think we can all be part of this conversation. I believe that is why he started it.J.D. Vance gives a TED talk (September 2016)I listened to this book read by the author and produced by HarperAudio. The author read a little too fast as this material was new to me and required thinking as well as listening, but it is still a worthwhile way to gain access to this remarkable personal history.

I listened to the audio of Hillbilly Elegies. J.D. Vance reads it himself. I found it moving and captivating, but I'm not quite sure what my take away is -- and I've decided that that doesn't really matter because Vance is an interesting guy with a really interesting story to tell. He was born in Ohio, but his grandparents were originally from the hills of Kentucky. He refers to them as "hillbillies", painting a complex demographic picture of his family and background. Vance grew up mostly with his grandparents because his mother had a series of bad relationships and developed nasty addiction issues. Despite an unstable childhood glued together by his grandparents' love, Vance ended up being a Marine, completing a 4 year college degree in less than two years and going to Yale law school. This memoir is a mishmash of personal history, and cultural and political analysis. It 's hard to say anything about Vance or his perspective without being reductive. In reality, Vance is a complex guy and he's not offering a pat message. He offers some insight into the world he comes from. At its very best, Hillbilly Elegies focuses on Vance's complex feelings toward his family -- I was tremendously moved by his fierce loyalty and love combined with his sober awareness of the instability wrought by his family. Vance also does an interesting job reflecting on the worlds he has inhabited, and what may or may not have contributed to his own life path. At it weakest, Vance extrapolates from his life to say what is needed to put the white underclass in a better position -- some of what he says has a ring of truth but he is such an outlier that extrapolation seems problematic. But this book's strengths were good enough to sustain me. I enjoyed listening to Vance tell his own moving story.

“Americans call them hillbillies, red necks or white trash. I call them neighbours, friends and family.” The term Hillbilly is one that has never meant much to me. Living in the UK when I had heard it mentioned it was only through TV and film. I pictured trailer parks, alcoholic fathers and screaming mothers. So to read a memoir from someone of the Hillbilly background sounded interesting . I clicked want to read, then promptly forgot all about it! So when I came across it in my local charity shop for £1.50 I had to pick it up - a hardcover copy with only US or Canadian price on it I didn’t even think this copy was UK published A fascinating insight into a culture often hidden from view. Though racially similar to middle class whites, their circumstances and mannerisms echo that of Latino immigrants and African Americans. J.D’s Home life is one rife with violence and addiction, a life cycle very few escape from. “Our homes are a chaotic mess. We scream and yell at each other like we’re spectators at a football game. At least one member of the family uses drugs...At especially stressful times we’ll hit and punch one another, all in front of the rest of the family.A bad day is when the neighbours call the police to stop the drama.” Despite being a memoir, it was very easy to read. I was riveted by the views held by these people and the way society attempts to help, but ultimately doesn’t even scratch the surface of a culture stuck in a rut. “Chaos begets chaos. Instability begets instability. Welcome to family life for the American Hillbilly.” J.D is one of few who manages to beat his circumstances and overcome values ingrained in him (taking the law into your own hands, family loyalty to the extent of violence to those who insult your relatives) and makes it to college and then law school. A hard hitting read yet humorous at times this book has enlightened me regarding areas I’d never learned about properly before, in an honest and emotional way. “Whenever people ask me what I’d most like to change about the white working class, I say “the feeling that our choices don’t matter.”

Intense memoir of J.D. Vance's childhood and eventual rise. It reminded me of Angela's Ashes except that instead of Ireland, it took place in Kentucky/Ohio and the drug of choice was prescription pills rather than alcohol. I was astonished that J.D. not only survived, but thrived. He credits his grandparents with saving his life, but a lot of different factors came together at the right time to propel him out of his dead end hometown. This is that story.In his own words: "Whatever talents I have, I almost squandered until a handful of loving people rescued me. That is the real story of my life, and that is why I wrote this book. I want people to know what it feels like to nearly give up on yourself and why you might do it. I want people to understand what happens in the lives of the poor and the psychological impact that spiritual and material poverty has on their children. I want people to understand the American Dream as my family and I encountered it." pg 8, ebook.My favorite parts of this book were the crazy, hillbilly history of his grandparents. They reminded me a lot of my own grandfather, who was a hell raiser in his time too. In this passage, J.D.'s grandma (Mamaw) is teaching him how to take a punch to the face: "...when I asked her what it felt like to be punched in the head, she showed me. A swift blow, delivered by the meat of her hand, directly on my cheek. "That didn't feel so bad, did it?"... This was one of her most important rules of fighting: Unless someone really knows how to hit, a punch in the face is no big deal." pg 61, ebook. My grandpa discouraged any kind of physical fighting since I was a girl and this went against his thoughts about what was appropriate for females. But, he told me stories about when he fought as a child, and he said he used bricks instead of his fists because it "evened the odds- those boys were bigger than me and there were more of them".At heart though, my grandpa was a peaceful man, unlike Mamaw. His favorite show in his twilight years was Pawn Stars, Mamaw's was The Sopranos: "In her old age, with limited mobility, Mamaw loved to watch TV. ...her favorite show by far was the HBO mob story, The Sopranos. Looking back, it's hardly surprising that a show about fiercely loyal, sometimes violent outsiders resonated with Mamaw. Change the names and dates, and the Italian Mafia starts to look a lot like the Hatfield-McCoy dispute back in Appalachia." pg 116, ebook.Throughout the family stories related in Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. weaves a fascinating examination of hillbilly culture: "It would be years before I learned that no single book, or expert, or field could fully explain the problems of hillbillies in modern America. Our elegy is a sociological one, yes, but it is also about psychology and community and culture and faith." pg 124-125, ebook.J.D. has many epiphanies in this book. Here's one of my favorites: "... there's something powerful about realizing that you've undersold yourself- that somehow your mind confused lack of effort for inability. This is why, whenever people ask me what I'd most like to change about the white working class, I say, "The feeling that our choices don't matter." pg 151, ebook.And, as much as this book highlights the problems in hillbilly America, it is also a call to action through greater self knowledge and personal responsibility. J.D. asks some really tough questions: "How much of our lives, good and bad, should we credit to our personal decisions, and how much is just the inheritance of our culture, our families, and our parents who have failed their children? How much is Mom's life her own fault? Where does blame stop and sympathy begin?" pg 195, ebook. I would say, with ourselves. All great change comes from within, at least, in my experience, I have found this to be true.Some read alikes: A fictional work that examines some of the topics in Hillbilly Elegy: Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich. A coming of age memoir under similar conditions: Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt.

I read this because it is often recommended for those seeking to understand why so many disaffected rural whites would vote for the Current Occupant of the White House. (COOTWH.) Vance gives a poignant depiction of his upbringing in Ohio, with frequent trips to visit family in Appalachia. He does a good job presenting the desperate circumstances he grew up in, and makes clear how badly the odds were stacked against him in breaking the cycle of poverty and lack of education. He paints a grim picture of hollowed-out Middle America. What stuck with me most was the lack of self-awareness he describes in many of those he grew up with. They can rail against the unfairness of life and how hard it is to get a good job, but then fail to show up to work, or disdain the work that is available, and take umbrage if life doesn’t hand them what they want. This, of course, is endemic to human nature. It is not solely an Appalachian problem. And maybe that’s the best takeaway — that we have to try to understand our similar problems, our similar weaknesses and prejudices. It is SO easy to resort to tribalism and blame ‘the other’ for all our problems. This was why I picked up this book — to understand a point of view I detest, and try to understand why any rational person could hold it. I don’t claim to feel any less disgusted with the rise of the alt-right, but I do understand that this rise is fueled by the fact that a lot of people are hurting and angry — as was the case in Germany in the 1930s — and we, as a society, need to address root causes while rejecting the false and ugly solutions put forward by hatemongers. A worthwhile read of a very personal, very human struggle.

People looking for an explanation of Donald Trump's popularity among low-income and unemployed white Americans can get a little enlightenment from this memoir. The author, J.D. Vance, was born into an Appalachian hillbilly family with Scotch-Irish roots. Author J.D. VanceThough the word hillbilly is often used in a pejorative sense, it's defined as 'people who live in rural, mountainous areas in the United States, primarily in Appalachia and the Ozarks.'Mountain people traditionally work blue collar jobs, and the closing of factories, mines, and mills in their towns left many hillbillies unemployed and disheartened. Moreover, those hill folk who do have jobs, and a good work ethic, resent their taxes being used to subsidize their unemployed neighbors - who they consider lazy whiners who illicitly profit from food stamps, eat steaks, and buy gewgaws like cell phones.....which many working hillbillies can't afford.If these indolent food stamp recipients DO get work, they show up sporadically, and slack off when they're present. Vance tells a story about a hillbilly who - when he deigned to show up for work - took five half-hour bathroom breaks during his shift. Naturally, the man was fired.....and probably thought he was done wrong.All this leads the working poor to resent welfare nets/entitlement programs associated with the Democratic Party.According to Vance, economically disadvantaged hill folk - many of whom disdain education and resent locals who better themselves ('get too big for their britches') - have a culture of 'learned helplessness.' They're poor, they're resentful, and they want someone to blame. Thus, Donald Trump 'speaks to them' with his diatribes about jobs going overseas, rapist immigrants, callous environmentalists, terrorist Muslims, and so on.Vance claims that the hillbillies dislike of Obama doesn't focus on race, but rather on the fact that he's a cultured Ivy League graduate who speaks well and doesn't understand their concerns. I don't totally buy this argument since I've met some Scotch-Irish descendants who express their dislike of black people in colorful terms. Be that as it may, I do understand the attraction of disaffected people to a rabble rouser like Trump.*****Vance grew up in Middletown, Ohio, with a drug-addicted mother who hooked up with a long string of boyfriends and husbands.Young J.D. VanceLuckily for the author, he was able to take refuge in the home of his grandparents - Mamaw and Papaw - who lived down the street. Mamaw and Papaw grew up in Jackson, Kentucky and married at the ages of 13 and 16, respectively, when Mamaw got pregnant. Like many other residents of eastern Kentucky, the young couple took the 'hillbilly highway' to Ohio - where the steel mills offered good-paying jobs.....until they closed.J.D. Vance and his MamawOld steel mill in OhioFor much of their marriage Mamaw and Papaw had a troubled home, since Papaw was a raging alcoholic. However, Vance's grandparents provided him with unconditional love, a sense of stability, and the will to learn and improve himself. Thus Vance eventually served in the Marines, went to Ohio State University, and graduated from Yale Law School.J.D. Vance and family members at his graduation from Marine boot camp Unfortunately, the author's early years, during which he observed constant screaming and throwing matches between his mother and her men, left Vance without a framework for a healthy relationship. Vance admits he was a 'bad husband' until his wife Usha, whom he met at Yale Law School, helped him learn the proper way to disagree.J.D. Vance with his wife UshaVance speaks lovingly of his 'lunatic' Mamaw, who carried a gun and wasn't afraid to use it. Everyone feared her, which worked to the boy's advantage during his mother's many stints in rehab. Mamaw insisted on caring for young J.D. herself - though she didn't have fostering credentials - and kept him out of the system.Vance was strongly attached to all the members of his family, including his sister; aunts; uncles; cousins; and especially his great-grandmother - Mamaw Blanton - whom he often visited in beautiful eastern Kentucky.....which he considered his true home. Some of J.D. Vance's family membersLike many hillbillies, Vance was (and is) intensely loyal to his clan, and any insult to himself or his kinfolk resulted in a fist fight.....starting at age six. As an adult Vance still has a bad temper, and takes pride in being able to restrain himself, like the time he wanted to - but DIDN'T - confront a driver who flipped him off.Vance relates some interesting (and humorous) anecdotes about his ignorance of the 'outside world' as a young adult. For instance, when Vance bought his first car, a fellow marine made him shop around for a car loan.....not just accept the dealer's high interest rate. And during dinner with a potential employer at a fancy restaurant, Vance had to sneak off to call Usha- for instructions about the over-abundant cutlery. During that same meal, the author spit out his first sip of sparkling water - thinking something was wrong with the carbonated beverage. Moreover, Vance had to learn about professional attire. The author wore jeans and combat boots to an early job interview, before he learned that a suit was the appropriate garb. These are telling stories about the cultural divide between mountain folk and the 'educated elite' they disdain.J.D. Vance had to learn to wear proper attire for a job interviewVance acknowledges that hillbillies need help, but their situation is complex....and Vance can't pinpoint the best way to assist them. An influx of jobs would be good, but wouldn't solve the sociocultural problems like family conflict; drinking; drug addiction; poor eating habits; bad health; bad teeth; aversion to learning; disinclination to work; over-spending; and so on. Also, to successfully 'climb the ladder', people have to WANT to pull themselves up.....and this doesn't seem to be the case among hillbillies right now.In an interview after the book was published, Vance cites a study that says upward mobility is stymied by living in neighborhoods with concentrated poverty; and residing in neighborhoods with a lot of single mothers. Addressing these issues might provide an initial boost to underprivileged groups.Vance also remarks that religion (Christianity in this case) helped his biological father and himself focus and make better personal choices. In Vance's words, "I’d make one important point: that not drinking, treating people well, working hard, and so forth, requires a lot of willpower when you didn’t grow up in privilege. That feeling–whether it’s real or entirely fake–that there’s something divine helping you and directing your mind and body, is extraordinarily powerful."Vance also notes, "I remain incredibly optimistic about the future. Maybe that’s the hillbilly resilience in me. Or maybe I’m just an idiot. But if writing this book, and talking with friends and strangers about its message, has taught me anything, it’s that most people are trying incredibly hard to make it, even in this complicated and scary world."J.D. Vance at book signing, advancing his messageVance is a political conservative and a reluctant (I think) Trump supporter. He wants his people to have better lives - and has made a push in that direction with this memoir.I like the book, which has many interesting and instructive tales about Vance's life, his struggles, and his successes. I'd recommend the book to everyone interested in what's going on in the country today.You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

I loved reading about Vance's family, about his Appalachian roots, and his rust-belt childhood. His grandparents (Mamaw and Papaw) are phenomenally drawn characters. There are plenty of cliches in the writing, but Vance is an observant and sincere guide.Like Vance's grandparents, my dad's grandparents were also Scots-Irish from Kentucky who migrated to the Midwest to move up the socioeconomic ladder. Also like Vance, my dad was the first of his family to attend college and is a staunch conservative, so the whiff of "I-did-it-so-others-could-do-it-too-if-they-worked-harder" is a frustratingly familiar. But on the whole, Vance's analysis is pretty even handed. I was less interested in his path to success and his difficulty in navigating the other (non-working class) life he comes to inhabit. But the stories about his hillbilly family he loves/endures/survives make the book definitely worth the read.