Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right
Who Would Like This Book:
Hochschild's deep dive into Louisiana Tea Party country is equal parts eye-opening and empathetic, uncovering the powerful emotional narratives that drive political beliefs. She gets up close with people who feel left behind, telling their stories with respect and genuine curiosity. This is a great pick for anyone looking to understand the cultural fault lines in today's America, especially if you want to move beyond stereotypes and see why some vote against their own self-interest. Liberals trying to make sense of 'the other side' and anyone interested in the emotional side of politics will find lots of value here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers are frustrated by the repetition and heavy focus on environmental issues at the expense of other topics. If you're looking for actionable solutions or in-depth policy analysis, you might find the book lacking. Others find it hard to muster empathy for views they see as driven by misinformation or hypocrisy, and a few feel the book only scratches the surface of these deep divides or comes across as too soft on its subjects. If you're from the rural South, you may not find much new here.
About:
Arlie Russell Hochschild, a sociologist from UC Berkeley, delves into the world of conservative right-wing individuals in Louisiana, aiming to understand their beliefs and deep stories. Through her immersive research, she uncovers the resentment, anger, and feelings of being left behind that drive the political ideologies of Tea Party members and Trump supporters. The book explores the paradox of individuals in a heavily polluted state vehemently opposing environmental protection measures, shedding light on the emotional and ideological factors that shape their views on politics and society.
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From The Publisher:
The National Book Award Finalist and New York Times bestseller that became a guide and balm for a country struggling to understand the election of Donald Trump
A generous but disconcerting look at the Tea Party. . . . This is a smart, respectful and compelling book.
-Jason DeParle, The New York Times Book Review
When Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election, a bewildered nation turned to Strangers in Their Own Land to understand what Trump voters were thinking when they cast their ballots. Arlie Hochschild, one of the most influential sociologists of her generation, had spent the preceding five years immersed in the community around Lake Charles, Louisiana, a Tea Party stronghold. As Jedediah Purdy put it in the New Republic, Hochschild is fascinated by how people make sense of their lives. . . . Her] attentive, detailed portraits . . . reveal a gulf between Hochchild's 'strangers in their own land' and a new elite. Already a favorite common read book in communities and on campuses across the country and called humble and important by David Brooks and masterly by Atul Gawande, Hochschild's book has been lauded by Noam Chomsky, New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu, and countless others.
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Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right?
About the Author:
Arlie Russell Hochschild is one of the most influential sociologists of her generation. She is the author of nine books, including The Second Shift, The Time Bind, The Managed Heart, and The Outsourced Self. Three of her books have been named as New York Times Notable Books of the Year and her work appears in sixteen languages. The winner of the Ulysses Medal as well as Guggenheim and Mellon grants, she lives in Berkeley, California
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