Although this book is stated as a political book, its contents are not statements of support for certain political parties. This book is the life story of J. D. Vance who comes from a family that far from perfect. He was born to a white working-class family, with low education, low income and was in a harsh environment. Family violence, both physically and verbally, drug abuse and alcoholism are common in their families. Even so, his family is loyal to family values ​​and dare to start a fight to defend the honor of family members. They love each other in a different way from the common family.

With all these things J. D. Vance managed to survive from this environmental... See More

Detailing the particular culture of the West Virginia Scots-Irish underclass, it’s really about the microcosm that explain the larger ecology of flyover midwestern state.

Drugs, crime, jail time, abusive interactions without any knowledge of other forms of interaction, children growing up in a wild mix of abusive relationship from cradle to grave. Thus, it is not a surpise that these underclass clings to the ideas of flag, religion, and strong extra familial community. And yet the author concludes by simply stating that these people should still try to pull their own weight by the strap of their own boot!

All in all, it is a good book for its details if not its premise and conclusion.