Read this book after a recommendation last year from John Green and it didn’t disappoint. I’m sure JD Vance didn’t set out to write a political masterpiece but rather focus on his story growing up the wrong side of the economic train tracks. His story highlights why the nationalist narrative has increased unabated and why politicians tapping into populism continue to make huge strides in voter appeal. It is a great read, very sad at times but ultimately JD triumphs making the best of the opportunities that eventually make it his way. One of the concepts referenced near the end of the book, social capital is something that I’ve positively experienced but could easily have missed given the environment I occupied. My parents, aunts, and uncles aren’t corporate animals and definitely didn’t have a corporate network that could easily be tapped to lay the foundation for the space I enjoy so much today. Luckily the stars aligned along the way and with some hard work I’m building the social capital my kids and hopefully grandchildren could access.

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