when the jobs left and the drugs came

 

If good people ignore politics, does that leave the practice of politics to bad people?

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What is an elegy?

...Merriam-Webster (since 1828)

Definition of elegy

a song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation especially for one who is dead

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The author of the book Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. Vance, seems to be trying to position himself as a public figure.

     One Internet Comment said Mr. Vance "is a snob, and an ass."

     (lol, that's -- not his campaign slogan, is it?)

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several Amazon customer reviews of the book:

~ Like the book "White Trash," the time spent reading it is wasted.  There is no real revelation here.  I'm afraid this is an attempt to blame those written about for "the problem."  What this really is, is an attempt by the author to attain political currency for a run at federal office.  It is transparent and embarrassing.

~ Born, raised and lived in West Virginia all my 49 years -- and this book is ridiculous.  Don't waste your time or money.  And no, I do not appreciate being called a hillbilly and I don't know anyone who does.  This book is fiction plain and simple.  Someone trying to make it big by making up stories and selling them as truth.

~ I had high hopes for this book, based on all the reviews.  I found it to be pretty underwhelming and a bit shallow.  He mostly just talks about events that happen, but I wish he delved much deeper into history or politics or culture -- especially given that the NYT said it was "one of 6 books to help understand Trump's win."  

     I didn't really come out of it understanding any more about that aspect.  The author also seems to toot his own horn a lot.  Which is fine, it's his book.  But I was unimpressed.

~ He was from a small town when the jobs left and the drugs came.

~ What Mr. Vance says is true, but it's hardly unique.  It's been going on for decades in every region of the country....This book, to me anyway, reads like every book I've ever read from budding politicians, outlining their heart rending personal stories.  Just saying.

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