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Summary - Hillbilly Elegy: By James David Vance - A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
A Summary of Hillbilly Elegy!Hillbilly Elegy, or by its full name, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis is sort of a historical book. The book is written by JD (James David by author's full name) Vance and in it the author tries to describe the overall life and struggles of people in post-industrial time in the United States. This book deals with the problems of white working-class and the book is not just some book where the author tries to describe lives of ordinary white people. The book is actually a memento and a message to the readers; in it Vance describes his life and his starts, especially growing up while being poor in Ohio. We can find out about this when we find out that Vance's family is of Scottish-Irish descent and that his ancestors have longer history of poverty and hard work that they need to endure in order to survive the hard times that were at hand. We also find out that since the 18th century many Scottish-Irish people were working as plantation workers, as miners and/or as millworkers. Because these people worked only the hardest jobs that hardly anyone else would take many people belittled them. Words like 'white trash, redneck' and/or 'hillbilly' were unfortunately a common everyday word for those people. Hillbilly Elegy is a fascinating work, not because it was written based on a true story but because it was written from a man who lived 'through' his story. The fact that the entire book contains a message is, of course, welcoming plus and something we want from literature of this genre. Here Is A Preview Of What You Will Get: In Hillbilly Elegy, you will get a summarized version of the book.In Hillbilly Elegy, you will find the book analyzed to further strengthen your knowledge.In Hillbilly Elegy, you will get some fun multiple choice quizzes, along with answers to help you learn about the book.Get a copy, and learn everything about Hillbilly Elegy.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
38 pages, Paperback
Published October 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 27, 2017
This memoir comes highly recommended. It's on everybody's list. Who doesn't enjoy a new twist on the Horatio Alger saga. When a young man comes from Appalachian poverty to the halls of Yale law school that's quite an accomplishment.
I was particularly looking forward to Vance's analysis of Southern poverty as well as Appalachian values and culture in the changing political environment. He did not disappoint but rest assured this book is more a personal memoir than a sociological analysis.
Particularly intriguing is the inclusion of why and how poor people continue to support Donald Trump in some of the bleakest corners of this nation. Particularly ironic is how poor whites and blacks can't seem to consolidate their power for the greater good.
While James David Vance owes a good deal to the military for providing hm the skills and resources to break the cycle of poverty he was born into, there is no doubt his own drive and intellect helped carry him out of his nightmarish childhood and into the world of the wealthy elite. Note: Vance's Hillbilly grandmother swears like a truck driver, so be forewarned he doesn't censor any language for the sake of his audience.
I was particularly looking forward to Vance's analysis of Southern poverty as well as Appalachian values and culture in the changing political environment. He did not disappoint but rest assured this book is more a personal memoir than a sociological analysis.
Particularly intriguing is the inclusion of why and how poor people continue to support Donald Trump in some of the bleakest corners of this nation. Particularly ironic is how poor whites and blacks can't seem to consolidate their power for the greater good.
While James David Vance owes a good deal to the military for providing hm the skills and resources to break the cycle of poverty he was born into, there is no doubt his own drive and intellect helped carry him out of his nightmarish childhood and into the world of the wealthy elite. Note: Vance's Hillbilly grandmother swears like a truck driver, so be forewarned he doesn't censor any language for the sake of his audience.
August 11, 2017
I read this book at the insistence of my sister who found it particularly interesting as it relates to our current political environment. Being familiar with the area made this a bit more relatable. I can't say that I learned too much or was surprised by much. The sad thing to me, is that the people who should read this book probably never will. Vance does a good job explaining how difficult it is to move vertically in our society. Both the resources at home and at school are sorely lacking. Knowing what is available, what forms to fill out, how to obtain the forms and the seemingly simple act of filling out the forms is sometimes beyond the scope of those who could benefit the most. And of course, once you get into the "better" situation, acceptance is a struggle. I didn't get the feeling that Vance was looking down on those considered hillbillies of which he considers himself one, but that he was angry at their limitations. Those constrictions that they put on themselves and those put on them by others.This is an interesting read and i would recommend it to certain friends and to book clubs.
October 3, 2017
Well written personal account of what it means to be a ’hillbilly' - which is a label that accounts for more people in our society than you realize. Takes off the blinders that too many of us who are fortunate to have loving, stable and in-tact families wear to look beyond what we often account for as 'white trashy.' That label us too easy to use and discounts the how's and whys of this culture.
July 23, 2017
I wanted to read this to get to know the Trump followers a bit better - found the conservative rhetoric a bit annoying (and revisionist) but well worth a read to get a picture of a different America...
September 10, 2017
Started to read this book & have to admit I didn't finish it. It was well written from A historical perspective however it was like reading one long essay. I had hoped I would get to read about individual people in their lives rather than theories.
August 3, 2018
MUST read!!!!! Pulls you into a fascinating culture that most can only imagine. Books should open our eyes to the differences in our world to help us hone our empathetic ways. This certainly does that!
June 19, 2017
Great story totally took me by surprise. I found, yet another area in the USA that lives in ways and in places that never even entered my mind. SO HAPPY I read it. I love America!
September 14, 2017
Read the book not the summary. Interesting, some good points
September 18, 2017
Although you may not like or approve of the people in the book, it is a fascinating look into the "hillbilly" culture. A movie being made should be good.
October 23, 2018
The beginning is slow but stick with it! Insightful as hell.
June 28, 2020
An interesting read about a group of people who have been left behind in the "Great America" that some are a part of or aspire to.
January 16, 2021
It was better than the movie. I like Amy Adams, but skip the movie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2021
Worthwhile reading!
March 19, 2017
Didn't read the book. Needed it for book club but there is a long waiting list at the library and it's not out in paper back. This summary gives a good overview of the subject and tenor of the book. It really isn't something I am interested in so will pass on reading it.
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March 6, 2017Uplifting
November 20, 2016
After reading the summary, I can't wait to read this book.
This book was recommended to me by a very dear friend who has told me that she and her husband both read it and found it fascinating.
I am hoping that it touches on medical issues and medical anomalies as well as I am a descendent of the Blue Fugate's of Kentucky.
This book was recommended to me by a very dear friend who has told me that she and her husband both read it and found it fascinating.
I am hoping that it touches on medical issues and medical anomalies as well as I am a descendent of the Blue Fugate's of Kentucky.
December 31, 2016
What helps some survive when the odds are against them?
February 7, 2018
Over-rated and under-thought.
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April 2, 2017While insightful this book is more a commentary on social mores and norms of the region. Nit light or easy reading. Not a non fiction novel which was my expectation
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April 4, 2017An honest and brave look at his life, and life forces. It leaves you with more questions than answers, but it also reminds us we each play an important role in the lives of others.
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May 5, 2017okay. Not great. Better to have your own opinion.
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May 14, 2017I didn't read this summary, but I can't remove it from my page. I dis read Hillbilly Elegy and have a very mixed reaction.
September 25, 2017
So very disappointing. Just repeated his many challenges and hardships page after page, chapter after chapter. I was exhausted and thrilled when it finally came to an end.
September 30, 2017
JD as he is known writes about his hard scrapple childhood with an unstable alcoholic drug using mother with serial husbands and boyfriends. Stability in this chaotic world was provided by his older sister and his large extended family that included mawmaw, the rock of his life. She swears like a truck driver but tells him to get his ass out of bed and get to school. JD goes from poverty to Yale Law School. He is a fish out of water and describes the challenges of trying to navigate the new culture he needs to adapt to. We all love to read about Horatio Alger stories.
July 11, 2018
One of the better books written in a polarized world.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews