Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

This is an exceptional memoir, particularly from an author so young. JD Vance's account of growing up among the Appalachian transplants in Ohio is loving and respectful as much as it is critical of the self-defeating lives he's seen so many lead. Vance writes from a conservative viewpoint, but his tale is filled with compassion and a sophisticated understanding of people and institutions.Vance’s grit, his personal honesty and the way he gives credit to others - his grandparents, his sister, the US Marines - made me like and admire him from the beginning. On the other hand, I think he too often downplays the fact that social forces, not just lack of individual and family will, have crushed the spirit of many Appalachian people. While Vance was able, with lots of help, to pull himself up and out, I don't think his story is representative of those of many poor Appalachian families. For instance, his grandma, "Mamaw," has enough resources to put Vance's mother through extensive in-patient drug rehab. Is that possible for most drug-addled Appalachian and Rustbelt families? Have you priced in-patient rehab lately?Vance is at his best when he's describing his initiation to the rare air of Yale Law and the recruiting marathon for postgrad jobs with top firms. While his take on life as a tourist in the upper crust is hilarious, his acceptance of that lifestyle as a key to a better life is a little cynical. He's essentially saying, "It's superficial and snobbish, but kids, you've gotta roll with it to make something of yourself!"These are chippy criticisms of a fine piece of writing from an engaging young author. JD Vance has a lot to say. Hillbilly Elegy is particularly relevant on the crest of the Trump Revolution, supported by many of the folks Vance so lovingly and critically describes. I'm recommending this book to all my friends. This is an exceptional memoir, particularly from an author so young. JD Vance's account of growing up among the Appalachian transplants in Ohio is loving and respectful as much as it is critical of the self-defeating lives he's seen so many lead. Vance writes from a conservative viewpoint, but his tale is filled with compassion and a sophisticated understanding of people and institutions.Vance’s grit, his personal honesty and the way he gives credit to others - his grandparents, his sister, the US Marines - made me like and admire him from the beginning. On the other hand, I think he too often downplays the fact that social forces, not just lack of individual and family will, have crushed the spirit of many Appalachian people. While Vance was able, with lots of help, to pull himself up and out, I don't think his story is representative of those of many poor Appalachian families. For instance, his grandma, "Mamaw," has enough resources to put Vance's mother through extensive in-patient drug rehab. Is that possible for most drug-addled Appalachian and Rustbelt families? Have you priced in-patient rehab lately?Vance is at his best when he's describing his initiation to the rare air of Yale Law and the recruiting marathon for postgrad jobs with top firms. While his take on life as a tourist in the upper crust is hilarious, his acceptance of that lifestyle as a key to a better life is a little cynical. "It's superficial and snobbish, but kids, you've gotta roll with it to make something of yourself!"These are chippy criticisms of a fine piece of writing from an engaging young author. JD Vance has a lot to say. It's particularly relevant on the crest of the Trump Revolution, supported by many of the folks Vance so lovingly and critically describes. I'm recommending this book to all my friends. This is an exceptional memoir, particularly from an author so young. JD Vance's account of growing up among the Appalachian transplants in Ohio is loving and respectful as much as it is critical of the self-defeating lives he's seen so many lead. Vance writes from a conservative viewpoint, but his tale is filled with compassion and a sophisticated understanding of people and institutions.Vance’s grit, his personal honesty and the way he gives credit to others - his grandparents, his sister, the US Marines - made me like and admire him from the beginning. On the other hand, I think he too often downplays the fact that social forces, not just lack of individual and family will, have crushed the spirit of many Appalachian people. While Vance was able, with lots of help, to pull himself up and out, I don't think his story is representative of those of many poor Appalachian families. For instance, his grandma, "Mamaw," has enough resources to put Vance's mother through extensive in-patient drug rehab. Is that possible for most drug-addled Appalachian and Rustbelt families? Have you priced in-patient rehab lately?Vance is at his best when he's describing his initiation to the rare air of Yale Law and the recruiting marathon for postgrad jobs with top firms. While his take on life as a tourist in the upper crust is hilarious, his acceptance of that lifestyle as a key to a better life is a little cynical. "It's superficial and snobbish, but kids, you've gotta roll with it to make something of yourself!"These are chippy criticisms of a fine piece of writing from an engaging young author. JD Vance has a lot to say. It's particularly relevant on the crest of the Trump Revolution, supported by many of the folks Vance so lovingly and critically describes. I'm recommending this book to all my friends.,,

Having never lived in Appalachia it is hard for me to review this one way or the other. I will say it was a compelling read that kept me interested. I understand living in poverty because we were poor, but my family was always employed so I cannot relate to living off the government dole. The one time I tried to get help I was turned down so I never tried again. Very insightful and gives me respect for Mr. Vance. Read it for yourselves and see what you think.

There is a lot to take in here, even for someone that's seen this life up close in many of its many guises.While ostensibly about the particular culture of the West Virginia Scots-Irish underclass, anyone that has seen white poverty in America's flyover states will recognize much of what is written about here. It is a life on the very edge of plausibility, without the sense of extra-family community that serves as a stabilizing agent in many first-generation immigrant communities or communities of color. Drugs, crime, jail time, abusive interactions without any knowledge of other forms of interaction, children growing up in a wild mix of stoned mother care, foster care, and care by temporary "boyfriends," and in general, an image of life on the edge of survival where even the heroes are distinctly flawed for lack of knowledge and experience of any other way of living.This is a story that many of the "upwardly mobile middle class" in the coastal areas, often so quick to judge the lifestyles and politics of "those people" in middle America, has no clue about. I speak from experience as someone that grew up in the heartland but has spent years in often elite circles on either coast.Two things struck me most about this book.First, the unflinching yet not judgmental portrayal of the circumstances and of the people involved. It is difficult to write on this subject without either glossing over the ugliness and making warm and fuzzy appeals to idealism and human nature, Hollywood style, or without on the other hand descending into attempts at political persuasion and calls to activism. This book manages to paint the picture, in deeply moving ways, without committing either sin, to my eye.Second, the author's growing realization, fully present by the end of the work, that while individuals do not have total control over the shapes of their lives, their choices do in fact matter—that even if one can't direct one's life like a film, one does always have the at least the input into life that comes from being free to make choices, every day, and in every situation.It is this latter point, combined with the general readability and writing skill in evidence here, that earns five stars from me. Despite appearances, I found this to be an inspiring book. I came away feeling empowered and edified, and almost wishing I'd become a Marine in my younger days as the author decided to do—something I've never thought or felt before.I hate to fall into self-analysis and virtue-signaling behavior in a public review, but in this case I feel compelled to say that the author really did leave with me a renewed motivation to make more of my life every day, to respect and consider the choices that confront me much more carefully, and to seize moments of opportunity with aplomb when they present themselves. Given that a Hillbilly like the author can find his way and make good choices despite the obstacles he's encountered, many readers will find themselves stripped bare and exposed—undeniably ungrateful and just a bit self-absorbed for not making more of the hand we've been dealt every day.I'm a big fan of edifying reads, and though given the subject matter one might imagine this book to be anything but, in fact this book left me significantly better than it found me in many ways. It also did much to renew my awareness of the differences that define us in this country, and of the many distinct kinds of suffering and heroism that exist.Well worth your time.

As a non-American this book is a great insight into the American mindset. JD Vance has been tagged by Trump as his running mate and I was curious about the man as to me he was an unknown entity. I was pleasantly surprised as the book is written with an unprecedented wisdom and empathy. I considered watching the Netflix film but realized that the book, being written from a personal perspective, could never be translated effectively into film. I wanted to “hear” the story “directly from the horses mouth”. I will be giving this book as a gift to friends if only to help some see past anti-Republican and Anti-American sentiments to the complex people behind.

This book is worth reading even if you don,t like or trust the author who is running for Vice President!He rightfully calls attention to the serious problems which have been long neglected in certain parts of the U,S. Hopefully the next administration will try to do something positive for these unfortunate Americans!Thank you Amazon!

Vorweg: Der Vance, der das Buch geschrieben hat, war ein begabter, strebsamer, aber normaler Mensch. 2016 war er noch scharfer Trump-Gegner, nicht der "They-eat-pets"-Demagoge von heute.Für jeden ernsthaft an der (politischen) Entwicklung der USA Interessierten ist dieses Buch ein Gewinn. Vance beschreibt aus der persönlichen Perspektive, wie sich die Welt in "Hillbilly Country" über die Jahrzehnte verändert hat. Er schreibt klug und empathisch, und er zeigt, wie sich die massiven wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Veränderungen auf die Menschen um ihn auswirken.Die Kombination aus dem Rückzug von Großunternehmen, der Flut an Drogen und dem Stolz oder Sturheit der Leute, hat binnen zwei Generationen einer ganze Region den Niedergang gebracht. Dabei sieht er Schuld durchaus bei den Personen selbst, fordert jedoch gleichzeitig sozialstaatliches Handeln, um die größten Härten abzufedern. Dies ist keine Heldengeschichte. Er wirkt fast bescheiden und dankbar für die Chancen, die er bekommen (und dann genutzt) hat.Von den vielen Büchern und Analysen, die ich gelesen habe, um das Phänomen "Trump" zu verstehen, hat mir dieses am meisten gebracht. Wer, wie ich, Abscheu vor Trump oder "Vance 2024" empfindet, sollte sie überwinden.

Un libro che partendo dalla storia autobiografica dell'autore descrive e analizza una realtà che raramente emerge quando si parla di Stati Uniti, quella dell'America bianca del Midwest, con i suoi problemi economici e sociali dovuti alla delocalizzazione, al dilagare degli oppiacei, alla disgregazione delle famiglie, all'erogazione di sussidi che invece di aiutare a riemergere dalle difficoltà spesso spingono a rimanerci.La parte finale è un po' scontata ma rimane comunque un libro interessante.

As a bleeding heart Liberal up until a few years ago,l found this book to be a real eye opener into the lives and values of a community l had always looked down upon. There is a lot to learn from Vance's story.