Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. VanceMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Given the current hype around this book you would think it is contains the answer to our current American crisis. It doesn't. Rather, it pretty grippingly describes it through the story of the author - who grew up poor and in a dysfunctional family and community to become a Yale law grad. If I were going to be cynical, it really is nothing more than a book length extension of what I imagine was the author's Yale law school admission essay. But that would be uncharitable to the skill and insight in which the story is told. It was an interesting read but, as an answer as to what to do about the white underclass in America and its anger in 2016, I think the author says it best - there are probably no policies that can change it - it likely requires a massive change in behavior and outlook.
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