Strangers in Their Own Land

Anger and Mourning on the American Right

By: Arlie Russell Hochschild

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

In Strangers in Their Own Land, the renowned sociologist Arlie Hochschild embarks on a thought-provoking journey from her liberal hometown of Berkeley, California, deep into Louisiana bayou country - a stronghold of the conservative right. As she gets to know people who strongly oppose many of the ideas she famously champions, Hochschild nevertheless finds common ground and quickly warms to the people she meets, among them a Tea Party activist whose town has been swallowed by a sinkhole caused by a drilling accident - people whose concerns are actually ones that all Americans share: the desire for community, the embrace of family, and hopes for their children.

Strangers in Their Own Land goes beyond the commonplace liberal idea that these are people who have been duped into voting against their own interests. Instead Hochschild finds lives ripped apart by stagnant wages, a loss of home, an elusive American dream - and political choices and views that make sense in the context of their lives. Hochschild draws on her expert knowledge of the sociology of emotion to help us understand what it feels like to live in "red" America. Along the way she finds answers to one of the crucial questions of contemporary American politics: Why do the people who would seem to benefit most from "liberal" government intervention abhor the very idea?

Cover image © Richard Misrach, courtesy Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco, Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York and Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Los Angeles

©2016 Arlie Russell Hochschild (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

if you read one book about Trump voters, read this

Strangers in their own land offers the respectful and compassionate perspective we need if we are going to bridge our divides and have democracy together. Only by understanding and respecting each other can we negotiate the best possible compromise.

I can't get past the narration

The snooty-sounding elocution of the narrator seems to play into all the stereotypes of an elite left. For me, the tone separates the narrator/author from the subjects she's trying so hard to connect with and is in direct tension with the intent of the book. I wonder if I could enjoy this with a different narrator, or by just reading it. Definitely not a book improved by listening on audible.

Interesting, but not surprising

If you follow politics and social sciences at all you will likely have come across much of the content presented here. What makes the book stand out is a focus on the personal narratives of the people of Louisiana. The narrator was initially off-putting, but I grew used to her delivery as the book went on. Overall, an interesting perspective on how the right views environmental policy.

Agreat primer on how to think about the opposition

I loved the book. It helped me understand the opposition's thought processes, motivations, and the context in which the election happened.

Phenomenal book that will open your mind and heart

A fantastic read for anyone seeking to better understand the alt-rig movement and the tea party activists. Would recommend this to everyone considering how politically divisive our country has become.