Hillbilly elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance

This should be compulsory reading for every teacher! It certainly makes you realize that if "someone" could step in, or if "someone" just encouraged, or if "someone" could help make a difference... in this person's life, or that child's life... how different things could be for them. Sometimes that "someone" needs to be YOU! Don't wait for "someone" else to come along! Maybe YOU will be the "someone" that changes a life, forever!

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis is a deeply personal, thought-provoking, and remarkably honest memoir that resonates strongly with anyone familiar with the culture, values, struggles, and resilience of Appalachian families and Eastern Kentucky heritage. As someone with roots and family connections tied closely to the Appalachian region, I found this book especially meaningful because it captures many of the realities that people from the region understand firsthand — the pride, loyalty, hardship, work ethic, family complexity, and generational challenges that are often misunderstood or overlooked by outsiders. J.D. Vance writes with authenticity and emotional depth while balancing personal storytelling with broader observations about family dynamics, economic struggle, cultural identity, addiction, opportunity, and social mobility. The memoir does not attempt to romanticize hardship, nor does it dismiss the strength and character found throughout Appalachian communities. Instead, it presents a nuanced and human portrayal of life within that culture. One of the strongest aspects of the book is its honesty. The stories feel genuine, personal, and at times difficult, yet they are also filled with resilience, humor, sacrifice, and determination. Many readers from Eastern Kentucky, Ohio Valley communities, and Appalachian backgrounds will likely recognize familiar experiences, attitudes, and family dynamics within its pages. The writing itself is engaging, intelligent, and accessible. The memoir moves naturally between personal history and larger social commentary without losing emotional connection to the people and places at the center of the story. It encourages reflection not only about Appalachian culture, but also about family responsibility, identity, opportunity, and perseverance. Whether one agrees with every perspective presented or not, Hillbilly Elegy remains an important and impactful memoir that contributes meaningfully to conversations about Appalachian America and working-class family life. It is a compelling, respectful, and emotionally powerful read that will resonate strongly with many readers who share similar roots and experiences.

Este é um dos melhores livros que li nos últimos tempos. O autor conta sua trajetória de vida desde quando era uma criança em família pobre no interior dos Estados Unidos até quando se formou em Direito em Yale, uma das mais renomadas faculdades dos EUA. Juntamente com sua história de vida, o autor faz uma análise da cultura das pessoas à sua volta e em como essa cultura reforça o comodismo, prejudica a meritocracia, e torna quase impossível que pessoas pobres tenham chances (e condições) de sair da pobreza. Apesar de o livro aparentemente tratar de uma cultura diferente da nossa, achei que muitas das descrições e análises se aplicam bastante à realidade brasileira.

This book is worth reading even if you don,t like or trust the author who is running for Vice President! He rightfully calls attention to the serious problems which have been long neglected in certain parts of the U,S. Hopefully the next administration will try to do something positive for these unfortunate Americans! Thank you Amazon!

It’s rather hard to believe in the truthfulness of a chap who isn’t an actor but has made so many changes in his name. Moreover, he also has absolutely turned 180 degrees in his attitude towards Donald Trump — from Never Trumper to Obedient Crumpet. And his views on women are alarming to say the least